SURF L&S

SURF L&S provides undergraduates in the College of Letters and Science with funding to undertake seven weeks of concentrated summer research on an original project of their own design. Many SURF fellows undertake this research as preparation for writing a senior thesis , but others pursue different types of capstone projects. All SURF Fellows are offered a summer stipend of $5,000, $500 of which is reserved until the end of summer to ensure completion of all the program requirement. These fellowships are supported by a number of private donors.
Applications for SURF L&S are due by 12:00 NOON (Pacific Time)
on Friday, March 14, 2025.
To learn more about the program, please attend an information session (or review the slides and recording of the presentation). For support on preparing a research proposal, consider attending a 'how to write a research proposal' workshop (slides and recording are linked in the resources). Draft workshops to support applications within each disciplinary area (e.g., Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Math & Physical Sciences) will be offered by SURF mentors throughout the month of February. Pre-register on the OURS events page and sign up for the newsletter for program updates!

ELIGIBILITY:

Eligibility for SURF L&S is contingent on the following criteria. You must:

  • Be a matriculated student at UC Berkeley, currently enrolled in the College of Letters and Science (L&S). Visiting and Extensions students are not eligible to apply.
  • Have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA at UC Berkeley
  • Have standing as a junior or senior according to your Cal Central profile. 
  • Submit a well-written and compelling research proposal for an independent project to be completed during the summer months that will culminate in a senior thesis or other capstone project. Students who are supporting the research of faculty members are not eligible for SURF L&S.
  • Devote yourself to research full-time for a minimum of seven weeks during the summer
  • Have the full support of a UC Berkeley faculty member (professor or lecturer) who has committed to mentoring your project over the summer months. Students carrying out independent research in labs at UCSF, CHORI, or LBNL may elect to have faculty PIs supervise their projects.
  • International and AB540 students are eligible and encouraged to apply to SURF L&S. 
  • Note: Previously accepted SURF L&S Fellows will not be eligible to reapply.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Recipients of the SURF L&S award will have an innovative research question of relevance in their discipline, a well-conceived and feasible research plan, and evidence of faculty support. Students should also indicate in their applications that they have completed major coursework that has prepared them to undertake their proposed project.

Please Note: projects involving human subjects must be kept below the threshold of full-committee review. Students should consult with their mentors about these requirements before submitting an application. Applicants to SURF, Haas Scholars, and Rose Hills Summer Scholarships who are interested in learning more about how human subjects research is defined should plan to attend an informational presentation and workshop (see the OURS events page). Click here for more information about the Human Research Protection Program (CPHS).

Benefits of these fellowships

In addition to receiving funding, all SURF fellows are assigned to small research clusters with near discipline peers. These small group research clusters meet periodically throughout the summer. Although faculty sponsors serve as primary research mentors, small-group meetings build community within the SURF cohort, connecting students with other undergraduates who are grappling with similar issues. SURF fellows also benefit from workshops devoted to research skills and outputs, professional development, scholarships, and graduate school applications.

Contact

surf@berkeley.edu