{"id":134,"date":"2025-07-31T14:22:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T14:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/?page_id=134"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:37:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:37:49","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"SURF FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-134\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-134-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-134-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Frequently Asked <strong>Questions<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>How do I find a faculty mentor for my project? <\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>There are several ways to locate potential faculty mentors!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You could approach a faculty member who has taught you in a course or <strong>identify<\/strong> a faculty member who has similar research interests to you, even if you haven't taken a course from them.<\/li>\n<li>Library faculty are also enthusiastic about <strong>mentoring SURF projects<\/strong> and have excellent experience with research and academic writing! Contact\u00a0Library Director Amanda VerMeulen (<a href=\"mailto:aavermeulen@smcm.edu\">aavermeulen@smcm.edu<\/a>) for more information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do I find a faculty mentor for my project?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"There are several ways to locate potential faculty mentors! You could approach a faculty member who has taught you in a course or identify a faculty member who has similar research interests to you, even if you haven't taken a course from them. Library faculty are also enthusiastic about mentoring SURF projects and have excellent experience with research and academic writing! Contact\u00a0Library Director Amanda VerMeulen (aavermeulen@smcm.edu) for more information.\"}}}<\/script><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>How many students will participate in SURF?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>We expect to support <strong>10 to 11<\/strong> students this summer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many students will participate in SURF?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"We expect to support 10 to 11 students this summer.\"}}}<\/script><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What is the stipend for a SURF Fellow?<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>SURF fellows are paid a stipend of $4,000 (<strong>subject to taxes<\/strong>), divided into two payments during the 8-week program.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the stipend for a SURF Fellow?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"SURF fellows are paid a stipend of $4,000 (subject to taxes), divided into two payments during the 8-week program.\"}}}<\/script><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-4\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>Are housing and meals included? <\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Yes, SURF Fellows are housed together and given a <strong>meal plan<\/strong>. Your stipend can be used to buy food over the weekends when the Great Room is closed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are housing and meals included?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, SURF Fellows are housed together and given a meal plan. Your stipend can be used to buy food over the weekends when the Great Room is closed.\"}}}<\/script><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-5\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>How are the mentors compensated? <\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Mentors receive a <strong>$1,200<\/strong> stipend for their work with a SURF Fellow.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How are the mentors compensated?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Mentors receive a $1,200 stipend for their work with a SURF Fellow.\"}}}<\/script><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-6\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>Where do mentors submit their recommendations? <\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Faculty should use this link to upload letters of recommendation: <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSeGUKW0Oy6_A9Qh3uG7rzKwHzLtE5Sh9Sltcs-OfSLUIJOfvw\/viewform?usp=header\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SURF 2026 APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where do mentors submit their recommendations?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Faculty should use this link to upload letters of recommendation: SURF 2026 APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS\"}}}<\/script><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-134-0-0-7\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>What is the timeline of applications and decisions? <\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><p>Applications are due Friday, February 27, 2026.\u00a0 A cross-disciplinary committee of faculty readers will evaluate the <strong>SURF applications<\/strong>. We hope to have decisions communicated by Monday, March 9.\u00a0 Selected students should confirm their commitment to participate by Friday, March 13 (before spring break).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the timeline of applications and decisions?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Applications are due Friday, February 27, 2026.\u00a0 A cross-disciplinary committee of faculty readers will evaluate the SURF applications. We hope to have decisions communicated by Monday, March 9.\u00a0 Selected students should confirm their commitment to participate by Friday, March 13 (before spring break).\"}}}<\/script><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I find a faculty mentor for my project? There are several ways to locate potential faculty mentors! You could approach a faculty member who has taught you in a course or identify a faculty member who has similar research interests to you, even if you haven&#8217;t taken a course from them. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-134","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/134\/revisions\/213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/undergraduate-research-fellowships\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}