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Summer Undergraduate
Research Experience (SURE) Program

2025 program dates: May 27–August 1, 2025 

Application deadline: January 27, 2025

View the SURE Program 2025 application.

There will be a Zoom information session on Thursday, December 12, at noon. For details, email Tiffany Mathews.

The Eberly College of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program is a 10-week summer training program designed to give motivated Penn State undergraduates in the college the opportunity to engage in full-time (40 hours per week) research and related professional development activities. Our goal is to offer students experiences that will help them determine if they want to pursue a career in research while they develop skills for success at Penn State and beyond. 

Students selected to participate in this training program will be paid $5,200.

Though all Eberly College of Science undergraduates are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to students

  • in their second and third year at Penn State University Park, or students who have changed campuses;
  • with a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher;
  • without significant research experience (e.g., a full-time summer research experience or two semesters of part-time research);
  • not in the Penn State Schreyer Honors College;
  • willing to commit to research with the same mentor after the summer program;
  • in the Eberly College of Science and majoring in one of the college's undergraduate majors; and
    • proposing to conduct research with an Eberly College of Science faculty mentor; or
    • proposing to conduct STEM research with any faculty member at the University Park campus.
      • Students will receive stipend support of $4,800; no faculty research funds will be awarded if the faculty member is outside the Eberly College of Science.

Note: Students should contact faculty in the fall semester to build relationships and discuss their serving as a mentor if the student is awarded a spot in this program.

Eligibility

Because summer undergraduate research fellows must commit at least 40 hours per week to the training program, fellows are not permitted to engage in any activities that may interfere with program activities. Students should receive permission from Tiffany Mathews if they plan on taking summer classes.

View the SURE Program 2025 Application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is housing provided? No. Students will need to make their own housing arrangements either on or off campus.

Do I need to have a research faculty member identified and agreeing to take me in their lab for the summer? Yes! You need to have identified your faculty member who you will work for over the summer. This program does not match students to faculty members.

I just met my research faculty member, so I don't know them that well. Should they provide my letter of reference? Yes. Think of the letter of reference more as a letter of collaboration, whereby they are agreeing to take you in their lab for the summer and are excited that you will be part of their team.

Other questions about the SURE Program? Contact Tiffany Mathews.