There are several ways to locate potential faculty mentors!
You could approach a faculty member who has taught you in a course or identify a faculty member who has similar research interests to you, even if you haven't taken a course from them.
Library faculty are also enthusiastic about mentoring SURF projects and have excellent experience with research and academic writing! Contact Library Director Amanda VerMeulen (aavermeulen@smcm.edu) for more information.
We expect to support 10 to 11 students this summer.
SURF fellows are paid a stipend of $4,000 (subject to taxes), divided into two payments during the 8-week program.
Yes, SURF Fellows are housed together and given a meal plan. Your stipend can be used to buy food over the weekends when the Great Room is closed.
Mentors receive a $1,200 stipend for their work with a SURF Fellow.
Faculty should use this link to upload letters of recommendation: SURF 2026 APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS
Applications are due Friday, February 27, 2026. A cross-disciplinary committee of faculty readers will evaluate the SURF applications. We hope to have decisions communicated by Monday, March 9. Selected students should confirm their commitment to participate by Friday, March 13 (before spring break).