Deadline: March 31, 2023
University of Washington faculty conducting research in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics are invited to participate in Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium’s 2023 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).
SURP identifies capable students and matches them with faculty, postdocs or research scientists conducting research related to the student’s field of interest. Each faculty-student team will agree on a summer project that presents a meaningful learning experience for the student and contributes to the faculty member’s research efforts.
Program guidelines
SURP is intended to provide undergraduates with enriching research training on projects aligned with NASA programs and initiatives. Projects eligible for SURP represent a broad range of NASA interests including astronomy, biology, and physics; Earth, space, and environmental sciences; aeronautics and astronautics; computer science and engineering; electrical, mechanical, chemical, and systems engineering. If you have questions about your project’s eligibility, contact nasa@uw.edu. Approved students will attend a weekly seminar with WSGC staff and faculty to focus on research and career development related competencies.
Faculty may request part-time or full-time student researchers. Part-time positions carry a time commitment of approximately 20 hours per week; full-time positions require a commitment of approximately 40 hours per week.
Mentor applicants must be the faculty PI, even if graduate students will be significantly involved in the day-to-day of SURP activities in the lab.
Funding and cost-share information
Participating faculty are responsible for providing funding for part of their SURP student’s award ($3,000 for full-time students; $1,500 for part-time students). The faculty contribution to the payment may be from a research grant to an individual faculty member, a department, or other sources. The remaining portion of the stipend will be paid by the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Space Grant staff will work with each faculty mentor’s department to complete the paperwork for SURP student awards. Do note that WA Space Grant is a federally funded program, and SURP funding is often used as cost share for us — therefore, we require most budgets for the faculty contribution to the stipend to not be from federal sources. We will accept some non-cost share slots, but they will be approved based on date of application and relevance to NASA initiatives.
Part-time researchers will receive a total of $3,650 for the nine-week program; full-time researchers will receive a total of $7,300.
Program dates
June 20 – August 18, 2023
Research schedule
Each faculty member-student team will develop a schedule that fits their particular time constraints and project needs.
Award rates
Part-time researchers will receive a payment of $3,650 for the nine-week program; full-time researchers will receive a payment of $7,300. Awards will be disbursed throughout the nine-week period.
Faculty will contribute $1,500 per part-time student researcher and $3,000 per full-time student researcher.
Application process
Each year we receive applications from students studying in all areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Students are selected for the program through a competitive application process.
Faculty interested in participating should complete the application form below.
Student applications will be sent to you for consideration after the application deadline.
Faculty members currently working with a student may request that particular student on the Faculty Request Form. Student participants must be U.S. citizens (but do not need to be Washington state residents).
The requested student must also complete a student application. It will be up to the faculty members to interview and select students.
Student participants and their mentors may also be contacted in the future for information regarding any publications or proposals that result from the students’ research experiences.
If you have any questions, please contact our undergraduate services coordinator by email at nasa@uw.edu or by phone at 206-543-8919.