Director's Office Smith SURF!

This page will be updated winter 2009-10 to reflect the SURF program summer 2010. For now, you'll find the content for 2009 below. Stay tuned ...

Welcome to Smith SUmmer Research Fellows (SURF) Program at The Clark Science Center.

The summer of 2009 was the 42th year that Smith has a formal student summer research program! Hard to believe it all started back in 1967. Hands-on research collaboration between faculty and students is a corner-stone of the science education at Smith, so the summer program has always been very important to us. We invite you to join the more than 100 students that will receive stipends to support their independent research during the summer of 2009. We have a vibrant summer community; come lay the foundation for your future Nobel Prize or at least enjoy some liquid-nitrogen-ice-cream.

All students performing summer research with a Smith faculty advisor are considered participants in the Smith SURF program. Any student seeking scholarship funding in support of an independent research project (lump sum scholarship payment) should complete the SURF appliation package outlined below.

Students employed as research assistants are paid on an hourly basis. Departmental admins are available to help complete the necessary paperwork.

Deadline for scholarship applications to Science Center managed funding sources: February 20, 2009. Any applications received after this deadline will still be considered but will be at a distinct disadvantage to those that have been submitted on time.

Related Pages

• Smith Summer 2009 Info - Practical information for students doing summer research at Smith
• Summer Research Opportunities Beyond Smith College - If you're interested in doing summer research elsewhere
• Purchasing Tips - How to spend your supply funds (if awarded)

How to Apply ...

1. Complete the Smith SURF 2009 Application Form. The application form has to be submitted both electronically and printed as cover to your application package.
2. Print out your completed form
3. Click the button on the form to submit it electronically
4. Attach print-out of application form as cover page to your application package including:
   • The Smith SURF 2009 Application Form
   • Research Proposal
   • Your name on the top of the page
   • Title of your proposed research project
   • Description of your proposed research project
   • Explaination why you have selected this particular project
   • Explaination of your reason for seeking undergraduate research experience, and how that experience relates to your academic and career plans.
   • If applying for Beckman Scholarship (see below under "Funding Opportunities") also include:
     • Written commitment to (1) participate in a sustained, interdisciplinary research experience including summer 2009, academic year 2009-10, and summer 2010, and, (2) complete a senior honors thesis
   • Print-out of your unoffical transcript
   • Advisor Recommendation Form [NEW] completed and signed by your advisor
   • If applying for Beckman: Written commitment to (1) participate in a sustained, interdisciplinary research experience including summer 2009, academic year 2009-10, and summer 2010, and, (2) complete a senior honors thesis.
5. Drop off the completed application package by February 20th in dropbox in Burton 115 or mail to: Smith College, Clark Science Center, Att: Smith SURF, Burton 115, Northampton, MA 01063. Mail has to be received by February 20th. Emailing of PDF or fax is also acceptable.

Program Guidelines

Applications to the Smith SURF Program must be sponsored by a Smith faculty member. This is the advisor of your summer research project.

Fellowship funding is available for undergraduate students (and graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences), who plan to work directly with a Smith College science faculty advisor. Applicants should discuss their research interests (and funding options) with their sponsoring faculty member.

Most applicants will be notified of the outcome of their request for summer research funding before spring break, March 14.

Fellowship stipend: Unless otherwise noted, stipends provided for participation in the Smith SURF 2009 will be in the amount of $3,800. Stipends are based on participation in 10 weeks of supervised independent research under the advisement of a Smith science faculty member.  While it is expected that program participants will complete 10 weeks of research, participants may opt, in consultation with their faculty sponsor, to complete fewer than 10 weeks. Stipends will be prorated for fellowships that are less than 10 weeks in length. Some fellowship stipends also include a grant for research supplies. Taxes may be withheld on your stipend if you are a foreign citizen from a country that does not have a tax treaty with the US.

Stipend payment: If you receive an award, your stipend will be transfered via Direct Deposit (if you have it set up) or mailed as a check to the address you give on your application form. Stipends will be paid out around May 23, 2009.

Housing: The Smith SURF program does NOT include housing. You are responsible for your own housing over the summer. Please contact Student Services.

Amherst, Mt. Holyoke, or Hampshire College students: As part of a Four College collaboration program, Smith College welcomes applications from students at Amherst College, Mt. Holyoke College and Hampshire College. You first step is to connect with a faculty member at Smith willing to be your advisor. Their letter of support is the most important part of your application package. See Smith and departmental web pages for faculty information. Submit an application as described on this page.

Questions? Come ask in Burton 117 or email: surf@email.smith.edu

Funding Opportunities

The following is a listing of funding opportunities available at Smith College the summer of 2009. Please note that the listing does NOT include research opportunities associated with the grants of individual faculty members. Contact faculty members directly to inquire about such additional opportunities. Also, consult the Summer Research Fellows web-site for more information:

Agnes Shedd Andreae Fund

Purpose:  To support student research and internship opportunities within the Environmental Science and Policy field.

Department Eligibility:  Environmental Science and Policy Program

Criteria/Requirements:  Available to minors and prospective minors in the Environmental Science and Policy Program to support participation in research and internship opportunities.

Contact:  Joanne Benkley (Bass 107, ext. 3951)

If you are applying for Agnes Shedd Andreae funding through the ES&P program, you do NOT need to submit a SURF application. Please contact Joanne Benkley for an ASA Fellowship application.

Beckman Science Scholars Program

Purpose:  To help stimulate, encourage and support research activities by exceptionally talented undergraduate students in chemistry, biochemistry, biology and neuroscience, who plan to pursue careers in the biomedical sciences. Provides support for students proposing research on an interdisciplinary project that bridges molecular biology with another area, including chemistry, neuroscience, biochemistry, mathematics, bioengineering, environmental science, and others.

Department Eligibility:  Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Bioengineering.

Criteria/Requirements:  Open to rising seniors (class of 2010), or possibly sophomores (2011), who are willing to make the strongest possible commitment to preparing for a career in the biomedical sciences. Beckman scholars will be selected from among applicants who:

• Are highly motivated
• Are science majors
• Demonstrate appropriate academic preparation; excellent academic standing
• Plan to complete a senior honors thesis
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Are willing to commit to participation in a sustained research effort including 10-week summer research internships during summer 2009 AND summer 2010, and up to 10 hours per week of research activity during Academic year 2009-2010.
• Planning to work with primary and secondary faculty advisors who are planning or involved in cross-disciplinary research collaborations
• During second research summer, can commit to participation in a 2-3 day Beckman Scholars Annual Research Symposium in Southern California, typically in July, with their faculty mentor (travel expenses paid).

Scholarships:  $6,000 per summer and $4,000 for academic year 2009-10

Travel and Supply Funding:  $3,300 per student

B. Elizabeth Horner Fund Research Fellowships.

Purpose: To encourage field studies and research into the biology of plants or animals within the Department of Biological Sciences or Environmental Science and Policy.

Department Eligibility: Biological Sciences (undergraduate and graduate students).

Criteria/Requirements: Funding to be used for supervised independent research by Smith College students. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.

Contact: Professor Virginia Hayssen (SR 236, ext. 3856). Applications are reviewed by the Horner Research Fellowship Committee.

Detail: The income from the fund is to be used for supervised independent research by Smith College students focused on field, museum, botanic garden, or captive study of plants or non-human animals that is neither disease-oriented nor predominantly molecular biology. The research should focus on understanding how plants and animals interact with their environments. This focus includes the kinds of projects that Drs Horner and Burk worked on and published about during their many and productive years at Smith: to wit conservation of plants and animals, animal welfare, animal behavior, plant and animal ecology, plants in the landscape, vertebrate and plant whole organism biology. Should insufficient suitable proposals be forthcoming, the income will carry over to following years.
The primary use of the fund is to support summer research fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students working with faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences. Projects with a whole plant or animal focus sponsored by faculty in Environmental Science and Policy would also be eligible. For suitable projects the fund may also cover the following:

• Travel to regional, national, or international meetings to present research previously funded by the Horner fund. Funding up to one-third the value of a summer fellowship in the year preceding the travel may be requested.
  
• Supplies, equipment to support a summer research up to 20% of the value of that current year’s fellowship. Money would be reimbursed or paid as expenses were incurred and not given as a lump sum. An itemized budget with rational for each expense must be supplied and approved with the summer fellowship proposal.
  
• Research expenses during the academic year up to one-third the value of a summer fellowship in the year preceding the request. An itemized budget with rationale for each expense must be submitted.

Blakeslee Fund in the Biological Sciences.

Purpose: To encourage student/faculty research in the field of genetics.

Department Eligibility: Biological Sciences (undergraduate and graduate students).

Criteria/Requirements: Open to students interested in conducting genetics research with Biological Sciences faculty or research associates.  Genetics research is interpreted in its broadest sense and includes developmental and microbial genetics, as well as gene expression.

Contact: Professor Steve Williams (SR 407, ext. 3826).  Applications are reviewed by the Blakeslee Committee.

Frances Baker Holmes Internship Fund

Purpose:  To provide support for internship opportunities with preference for those within the psychology department.  Fund may also be used to pay expenses associated with students’ internships.
Department Eligibility:  Psychology

Criteria/Requirements:  Open to students interested in conducting research with Psychology faculty, and to students interested in other internships in psychology.

Contact:  Chair, Psychology Department

Nancy Kay Holmes Fund in the Biological Sciences

Purpose:  To provide support for internship opportunities with preference for those within the Biological Sciences Department.

Department Eligibility:  Biological Sciences (undergraduate and graduate students)

Criteria/Requirements:  Open to students interested in conducting research with Biology faculty.

Contact:  Professor Virginia Hayssen (SR 236, ext. 3856) . Applications are reviewed by the Endowed Funds Committee, Biological Sciences Department

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowships

Purpose: Faculty sponsored student research.

Department Eligibility: Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Physics, and Mathematics as they relate to the biological sciences; preference for projects in the molecular biosciences.

Criteria/Requirements: This program was initiated by HHMI to strengthen college programs in biology and other scientific disciplines as they relate to biology, and to attract and retain students in scientific research and academic careers.

Margaret A. Walsh Grantham Fund Research Fellowships.

Purpose: To encourage field studies and research into the biology of organisms within the Department of Biological Sciences.

Department  Eligibility: Biological Sciences (undergraduate and graduate students).

Criteria/Requirements: Funding to be used for supervised independent research by Smith College students. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.

Contact: Professor Virginia Hayssen (SR 236, ext. 3856). Applications are reviewed by the Horner Research Fellowship Committee.

Schultz Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowships.

Purpose:  To provide Smith science majors with faculty sponsored research opportunities.

Department Eligibility:  All science departments are eligible.

Criteria/Requirements:  Internships available on a competitive basis to science majors and prospective majors, sponsored by a science faculty member.

Susan M. Rambo Fund.

Purpose:  Established by Catherine Crook Ritchie, Class of 1931, in memory of Susan M. Rambo ’05.  This fund provides support for summer student research in mathematics, with a secondary preference for summer student research in physics.

Department Eligibility:  Mathematics (Physics)

Criteria/Requirements:  Open to students interested in conducting research with Mathematics faculty.

Contact:  Chair, Mathematics Department

Supply Funds

If you have been informed that you have a supply budget, you can find help on the Purchasing Tips page.

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