Stetson Undergraduate Research Experience

The Stetson Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is a signature program that fosters excellence in research and creative activity. The centerpiece of the program is an eight-week research-intensive experience where each student works on an individual project under the mentorship of a Stetson University faculty member. In addition to the summer experience, students present their research findings and outcomes at various venues throughout the subsequent year. The overarching goal of the program is to develop informed graduates equipped with skills and dispositions to tackle complex challenges. Each year undergraduate scholars are selected through a university-wide competition to work with a faculty mentor on a summer research project.

2024 Summer SURE Program

Stetson University is pleased to announce the Request for Proposals for the Stetson Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program.

Student applicants must select a faculty member to serve as a research mentor. The role of the research mentor is to supervise the proposed research project. Summer research grant recipients will be selected on a competitive basis. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, and the School of Music are invited to apply. Eligible students must have at least sophomore standing as of the spring 2024 semester and attend Stetson at least through fall 2024.

The program provides a $2,000 grant for research initiated over the summer session starting on May 20, 2024. SURE Grant recipients also receive up to $500 to support travel to an appropriate professional meeting to present research results. Recipients must send an intent to use the allowance by February 28 of the following year they received their SURE grant to [email protected]. (i.e. Summer Grant 2024 grant recipients must send in intent to use travel by February 28, 2025)

Please note that the SURE Grant is considered a student cash award and as such, may be considered taxable income by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The University must report cash awards paid to students. For students receiving $600 or more from the University, a tax form 1099-MISC will be issued at the end of the applicable tax year. Therefore SURE grant recipients should expect to receive the 1099-MISC. Students who accept the award will need to complete paperwork for this processing. International students may have additional required paperwork.

Additionally, student grant recipients have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship for summer campus housing, May 19 through July 31, 2024. The housing application will be available via the homepage of Housing Central. Please note the priority deadline for summer housing is February 14, 2024.

In accepting the SURE grant award, the student recipient acknowledges the following:

  1. The student award recipient must work closely with a faculty mentor on a research or creative project on a full-time basis for the period beginning May 20, 2024.
  2. The SURE award does not carry academic credit but can be used as research toward the senior research requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences if desired. 
  3. The student award recipient is required to present the results of his/her research at Stetson Showcase following the summer of their grant. See the Stetson Showcase page for application procedures.
  4. The student award recipient is required to present the results of their research (either by delivering a scholarly or creative presentation) at an appropriate regional or national meeting of their discipline during the academic year following the summer of their grant. The $500 travel allowance is to be used for this purpose. This can be waived if the mentor believes that no such venue is possible. Recipients must send an intent to use the allowance by February 28 of the following year they received their SURE grant to [email protected]. (i.e. Summer Grant 2024 grant recipients must send in intent to use travel by February 28, 2025)
  5. The award of a $2,000 grant is considered a student cash award. Therefore, anything by the awardee's personal funds is theirs to keep. Student cash awards may be considered taxable income by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The University must report cash awards paid to students. For students receiving $600 or more from the University, a tax form 1099-MISC will be issued at the end of the applicable tax year. This award will also be reported to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
  6. If the student awardee does not undertake SURE research to the satisfaction of the mentor, the $2,000 must be returned to the University before the student will be allowed to graduate.
  7. The student award recipient is required to evaluate his/her professional development resulting from the summer research experience, including suggestions for program improvement. The chair of the Undergraduate Research Committee will provide a set of guidelines for the essay to award recipients.

A completed application consists of the following:

  1. Narrative Description: An electronic application must include a narrative description of the goals and methodology of the proposed research project, appropriate references, and written in accordance with the canons of the student's academic discipline. The narrative, not to exceed 1,500 words, must minimally address the following:
    • The purpose of the proposed research.
    • The methods and procedures for achievement of the objectives.
    • The form and dissemination of the research results.
    • What the student applicant hopes to learn as a result of participation SURE.
    • How the student's participation in SURE will advance the applicant's personal, academic, and professional goals.
    • For those requesting research-related funds, an additional budget sheet should specifically outline both the amounts and purpose of those funds (e.g. travel, equipment, photocopying, etc.), up to and not to exceed $500.
  2. Abstract: An abstract of the project (100-200 words), including the project title, the student's name and research advisor's name. The abstract should summarize the project's essential content, and should be understandable to a non-specialist in your field.
  3. Transcript: An official copy of the student's academic transcript (available from the Office of the Registrar).
  4. Recommendation Letter I: A letter of recommendation from the student's proposed faculty mentor, sent by the faculty member, using the online form.
  5. Recommendation Letter II: One additional letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the student's academic achievements and/or research experience and potential, using the online form.

Completed applications should be submitted online. The complete application package must be received by Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of Stetson University faculty members. Successful applicants will be notified no later than Monday, April 8, 2024.