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Dear ASPB Member,

 

SURF's up! Well, almost...February 12th is the deadline to submit a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) proposal to ASPB.

 

SURF enables undergraduate students to conduct 10 consecutive weeks of mentored plant biology research during the early part of their college career.

 

Eligibility - Application is open to all full-time undergraduate students in a degree-granting program. Students completing their second year are preferred, but well-prepared first- and third-year students who provide evidence of a strong interest in plant biology will be considered. Undergraduates needing more or less than the standard four years to earn a degree may still be eligible. International students or students following non-traditional academic calendars are welcome. SURF awards are limited to those without other sources of stipend or salary so that ASPB may provide support to the maximum number of students.

 

Faculty Mentors - Students must secure a mentor before submitting an application. The proposed research project must be pursued in the mentors' laboratory. Mentors must be a member of ASPB (new members welcome any time), have an ongoing research program of high scientific merit, and demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate education and research. Mentors of 2013 SURF awardees are expected to attend Plant Biology 2014 in Portland, Oregon with their SURF student.

 

Application - A complete application will include a research project statement and personal statement from the student, a research and mentoring statement from the mentor, a letter of recommendation from another faculty member (not the mentor or in the mentors' lab), and undergraduate transcripts.

 

Selection Criteria - Competitive student applicants should have high academic achievement, strong motivation and skills for conducting research, and career objectives showing interest in or relevancy to plant biology. Reviewers also will consider the contribution of the project to the mentor's research program, institutional commitment to the proposed research, and the mentor's commitment to undergraduate research.

 

Successful applicants receive a $4,000 summer stipend, a one-year membership in ASPB, and $700 (paid to the mentor or institution) for materials and supplies. Each fellowship also provides student travel support to Plant Biology 2014, the ASPB annual meeting, to be held July 12-16, 2014, in Portland, Oregon. These travel funds are sent only to the 2013 SURF winners who (1) register for the meeting, (2) submit proof of using social media or other outlets to communicate with the public or their peers about the SURF project, and (3) author and submit an abstract about their SURF project to present as a poster at the meeting.

 

Dates: Students and their mentors can apply at http://www.aspb.org/SURFapply. SURF 2013 applications will be accepted December 1, 2012 to February 12, 2013, until 11:59 p.m. (ET). Winners are notified by email in April.

 

Questions? Contact Katie Engen, katie@aspb.org or 301-296-0902

 

ASPB & the SURF Committee