Summer Undergraduate
Research Experience (SURE) Program
2025 Program Dates: May 27– August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: February 19, 2025
The Eberly College of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Experience 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 hrs/wk) 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 ~$5200.
Though all Eberly College of Science undergraduates are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to students:
- In their second and third year at University Park or students who have changed campuses,
- With a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher,
- Without significant research experience, e.g., a full-time summer research experience or 2 semesters of part-time research,
- NOT in the Schreyer Honors College,
- Willing to commit to research with the same mentor after the summer program, and
- An Eberly College of Science student majoring in one of the college's undergraduate majors.
- Proposing to conduct research with Eberly College of Science faculty mentors.
- Proposing to conduct STEM research with any faculty member at University Park (students will receive stipend support $4800; no faculty research funds if faculty member is outside the Eberly College of Science)
- 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.
Because summer undergraduate research fellows must commit at least 40 hrs/wk to the training program, fellows are not permitted to engage in any activities that may interfere with program activities.
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.
I just met the faculty member, are they my letter of reference? As I don't know my research faculty member that well, as I just met them. Yes, think of the letter of reference more as a letter of collaboration, that they are agreeing to take you in their lab for the summer and are excited that you will be part of their team.
Question about the SURE Program? Contact Tiffany A. Mathews at tam276 'at' psu.edu
Program Links: Use the instructions document to draft your application and then submit using this form.