- Who is eligible to submit a proposal?
- What types of projects can a proposal be submitted for?
- How technical should a proposal be?
- How long should my proposal be?
- If I do not get funding, can I still do research?
- I am graduating by the end of the summer. Can I submit a SURP proposal?
- Can I enroll in summer classes if I have received a SURP Fellowship?
- I am a Regents’ Scholar. Do I receive the SURP Fellowship automatically?
- Can I reapply if I was previously awarded or not awarded?
- What is an Honorary Fellow?
- Can I submit a UROP and SURP proposal for the same project?
- I am an international student at UCI. Can I submit a proposal for funding?
- Can I submit a proposal while I am studying abroad?
- Can I transfer my award to another student?
- Can I have more than one mentor?
- What happens if I’m awarded funds, but I can’t attend the Symposium?
- What if I want to discontinue my project?
Who is eligible to submit
a proposal?
SURP is open to all non-graduating (must be a returning student) UCI
undergraduates who are in good academic standing and who have been involved
in a faculty-mentored research project or creative activity for at least
one quarter.
What if I start my research
in the Spring Quarter? Can I apply for SURP funding even if I have only
worked on the project for a couple of weeks?
Yes. You are eligible to submit a proposal, but you need to elaborate
on what you have done prior to submitting your proposal and describe what
you intend to do for the remainder of Spring Quarter in preparation for
your extensive summer work. The more work you have done, the stronger
your proposal will be.
What types of projects can
a proposal be submitted for?
A proposal can be submitted for any faculty-mentored research project
or creative activity performed by a UCI student or a group of students.
We welcome proposals from all disciplines and schools.
How technical should a proposal be?
The proposal should include some background on the topic, what exactly
is being researched or creatively developed or produced, the role of
the student, a projected timeline, a letter of support
from the faculty mentor, and the student’s personal statement.
For more help, consult the Proposal
Guidelines and browse through some
Sample Proposals.
How long should my proposal
be?
Typically proposals are five double-spaced, typed pages, but yours can be
as long as it takes to justify your request in a convincing manner. For
some examples, browse through our Sample
Proposals to give yourself an
idea.
If I do not get funding, can
I still do research?
Of course! UROP only facilitates and provides funding, if needed. UROP
also provides you the opportunity to present and publish your research
through the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium and The
UCI Undergraduate Research Journal. If you don’t get funding, the continuation of
your project is dependent upon the approval of your faculty mentor.
I am graduating by the end
of the summer. Can I submit a SURP proposal?
No. You need to be returning for the following academic year.
Can I enroll in summer classes
if I have received a SURP Fellowship?
Students who receive the SURP Fellowship can enroll in summer courses,
upon receiving approval from their faculty mentors, as long as they meet
the 400-hour minimum requirement of the fellowship. For students who wish
to enroll in an independent research course during the summer (i.e. 199
or equivalent), a special reduced rate will be charged by Summer Sessions.
Hours for the fellowship should be counted separately from hours for academic
credit. You cannot get academic credit and receive payment for the same
hours. This means that if you sign up for 199 or equivalent, you must
complete more than 400 hours of research time.
How is SURP monitored? That
is, how do I prove that I have completed the 400 hours of full-time research?
It is through the honor system. The second half of your stipend is contingent
upon receiving an evaluation from your faculty mentor on your performance
and their recommendation to award or not award you the remaining stipend. This
will be prompted by an e-mail your faculty mentor receives from UROP Director Said Shokair.
I am a Regents’ Scholar.
Do I receive the SURP Fellowship automatically?
As a Regents’ Scholar you have been provided a scholarship for the
summer of up to $2,500. This scholarship may be used either to take summer
courses through UCI Summer Session, or to participate in an approved research
project through SURP. To use your scholarship for an approved research
program, you must submit a proposal in response to the annual SURP Call
for Proposals and have your research project recommended for funding by
the UROP/SURP Faculty Advisory Board. The maximum amount of the SURP Fellowship
is $3,000, therefore, depending on the recommendation from the Faculty
Board, you might receive an additional amount of $500 from SURP to bring
up your total award to $3,000.
Can I reapply if I was
previously awarded or not awarded?
If you have not been previously awarded a SURP grant, you may reapply for
one, but you are allowed a SURP grant only once during your undergraduate
studies.
What is an Honorary Fellow?
An Honorary Fellow has enough funding for his/her project, but would
like the recognition and benefits that go with being a SURP Fellow.
Can I submit a UROP and
SURP proposal for the same project?
Yes. UROP funding is for research-related supplies and expenses, and
SURP’s stipend is in support of your time and efforts.
I am an international
student at UCI. Can I submit a proposal for funding?
Yes. As long as you are a UCI undergraduate in good academic standing
and have been involved in a faculty-mentored research project or creative
activity, you can apply.
Can I submit a proposal
while I am studying abroad?
Yes, as long as your project is mentored and supervised by a UCI faculty
mentor.
Can I transfer my award
to another student?
No. If another student needs funding, s/he must apply for his or her
own project.
Can I have more than
one mentor?
Yes. Make sure that you have discussed and received approval regarding
this arrangement with all faculty mentors.
What happens if I’m
awarded funds, but I can’t attend the Symposium?
You must speak with UROP Director Said Shokair to make other arrangements.
My presentation at the
Symposium will be different from what was proposed. Is this acceptable?
Yes, but any dramatic changes need to be discussed with and approved
by your faculty mentor. Notify UROP of any pertinent changes.
What if I want to discontinue
my project?
Meet and discuss this with your faculty mentor. If you have come to the
decision to terminate your involvement with a project, write an e-mail
to UROP Director Said Shokair explaining your situation in detail. If
you decide to end your project after you have received a stipend, return
the check to the UROP Office or, if you have already deposited it, write a check
for the amount of the award to “UC Regents” and bring it to
the UROP Office.
For any other questions, please contact the UROP Office.
