Application Process

Students must identify and contact a faculty mentor and collaborate to develop and define a research project. This early interaction is a very important part of the application process. Non-UM students usually have to accomplish this discussion via e-mail or phone. If a student is in the area, we encourage him/her to visit the campus and meet the mentor. Please identify potential mentors by visiting the faculty page. For students applying for SURFs related to the Keck Foundation grant: Neuroscience: a novel perspective for the campus-wide integration of STEM, Liberal Arts, and Education curricula, faculty mentors may come from outside of the CSFN. Inquiries should be sent directly to individual faculty to determine whether they are hosting undergraduate neuroscience fellows during the upcoming summer. Students are encouraged to discuss research opportunities with more than one faculty member.

The SURF Application

All materials should be submitted to Dr. Jesse Hay by email (jesse.hay@umontana.edu). Applications should include:

• A CSFN Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Application Summary Sheet
• A letter describing your research interests and academic goals, including a brief description of the research project you are developing with the faculty mentor you would like to work with (please address this letter to Dr. Jesse Hay, SURF Director)
• A copy of your transcripts (unofficial are accepted)
• A letter of reference from one of your professors or another supervisor who knows your work. (If the letter is not from the professor you plan to do your summer research with, you are encouraged to also get a letter of support from your proposed faculty mentor.)

Application Deadline and Award Notification

Application materials should be received by no later than Friday, April 5th. Awards will be announced soon afterward. Applicants will receive e-mail notification of the outcome of their applications.