Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) NIST Boulder Programs

NIST Boulder is soliciting applications from eligible colleges and universities located in the U.S. and its territories nominating undergraduate students to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) NIST Boulder Programs (SURF NIST Boulder Programs). The SURF NIST Boulder Programs will provide research opportunities for undergraduate students to work with internationally known NIST scientists, to expose them to cutting-edge research, and to promote the pursuit of graduate degrees in science and engineering.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Eligible Applicants.The SURF NIST Boulder Programs are open to colleges and universities located in the United States and its territories with degree-granting programs in computer science, mathematics, materials science, chemistry, biology, engineering, and/or physics. Each applicant U.S. college or university is limited to nominating no more than eight (8) undergraduate students per college or university for participation in the SURF NIST Boulder Programs. Each undergraduate student nominated to participate in the SURF NIST Boulder Programs from the applicant college or university must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

1) Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.

2) Commit eleven (11) full continuous weeks, or nine (9) full continuous weeks for the nine (9) week program, (Monday through Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the summer of 2013, to participate in the SURF NIST Boulder Programs.

3) Be a currently registered undergraduate at a university or college located in the U.S. or its territories with a scientific major at the time of application.

4) Are considering pursuing a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.). Students with computer science, mathematics, materials science, chemistry, biology, engineering, and/or physics majors are always encouraged to apply. There may be research opportunities for students with other majors. Refer to the evaluation criteria and selection factors for additional recommendations.

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better out of a possible 4.0.

Applicants are encouraged, but are not required, to nominate eligible underrepresented minority undergraduate students.

Evaluation Criteria. The evaluation criteria that will be used in evaluating applications are as follows:

a. Student's Interest in Participating in the Program, Academic Ability, Laboratory Experience, and Advanced Degree Interest (0-80 percent). Evaluation of grade point average (G.P.A.) in courses relevant to the SURF NIST Boulder Programs, career goals, honors and awards, commitment of the student to working in a laboratory environment, and interest in pursuing graduate school.

b. Applicant's Commitment to Program Goals (0-20 percent). Evaluation of the institution's academic department(s) relevant to the discipline(s) of the student(s), as demonstrated by accrediting organizations, course offerings in the relevant departments, and extensive publications in computer science, mathematics, materials science, chemistry, biology, engineering, and/or physics.

Application Instructions

Please submit a letter of intent to nominate, which should include as much information as possible pertaining to the RFP’s Section V.1, Evaluation Criteria, and a letter of support from the Dean or Chair to research@uw.edu by Thursday, January 31, 2013. This letter of support signifies that the Dean or Chair have ensured the nominee’s eligibility per the sponsor’s requirements, and that the nominee and application are likely to be of sufficient quality to be competitive nationally. Full nominations are due to the sponsor on 2/15/13, so you will need to have your materials in to the Office of Sponsored Programs by 2/8/13 for processing if given the go ahead by the review committee. The UW Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs will participate in reviewing these pre-nominations.