SURF-Sustainability

New for Summer 2024!

Summer 2024 SURF Proposal Deadlines:
Student Proposal: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024 (11:59 pm)
Faculty Letter of Recommendation Upload: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024 (11:59 pm)

Decisions announced: late March

Contact: sustainability@cmu.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to partner with the CMU Sustainability Initiative to offer five new Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships that will fund summer research focused specifically on the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals.

SURF-Sustainability will award $4500 for 8-10 weeks of full-time summer research that contributes to the Global Goals. Additionally, a $500 supplemental stipend will be provided pending satisfactory completion of additional Global Goals-related fellowship activities.

In order to apply for SURF-Sustainability, students must meet the eligibility criteria for regular Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships. Additionally, they must demonstrate in their SURF applications that their research contributes meaningfully to three or more of the 17 Global Goals. Questions about how your research may relate to the Global Goals, as well as other aspects of the SURF-Sustainability Program, should be directed to sustainability@cmu.edu. 

*IMPORTANT: SURF-Sustainability applicants and general SURF applicants will be considered in separate application pools. Applications to SURF-Sustainability may be considered for the general SURF if they are unsuccessful in the SURF-Sustainability selection process.*

SURF-Sustainability application instructions:

• Confirm your basic SURF eligibility here. If you have any questions about your basic SURF eligibility, please reach out to oursd-general@andrew.cmu.edu. 
• Watch the SURF information session: Video Link | Passcode: SURF24Info!
• Connect with a prospective faculty research mentor, if you have not done so already, to formulate a project.
• Write your SURF-Sustainability proposal, following either the Type I (arts and creative research) or Type II (all other research) format.
  • NOTE: In addition to the other proposal requirements, your proposal for SURF-Sustainability must make clear how your research contributes to three or more of the Global Goals. Be sure to explicitly name the Global Goals you are referring to and clearly explain how your research questions, methods, and outputs will contribute to them. Contact sustainability@cmu.edu with any questions about connecting your research to the Global Goals.
• Complete the online SURF application according to the instructions.
  • NOTE: You must select “SURF-Sustainability” for project type in the application form. Failure to do so may result in your application not being considered for one of the SURF-Sustainability fellowships.
• Ensure that your faculty research advisor is aware of the letter of recommendation upload deadline, and follow up with them to confirm that they will submit their letter on time.