The Summer Undergraduate Research Awards (SURA) provide a $4,000 stipend to conduct independent research over the summer. Titles of recent SURA topics range from "Queer Cinema and the Spectator/Voyeur Narrative: Performance and Performativity" to "Migrant Health and Human Rights". SURA recipients also enroll in a 12-week summer SURA course to learn how to communicate their research findings to a general audience.
Application Details
Eligible Dietrich School undergraduates who
- are interested in joining a community of scholars
- are interested in conducting self-directed research
- can secure a faculty mentor within the disciplinary area of the research topic
Application Materials
- Cover Page (PDF)
- Research Proposal, describing the project. The proposal should be 3-4 pages (excluding citations) typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Appendices and addendum are not allowed.
- Community Statement, addressing the prompt: As a Summer Undergraduate Research Award recipient, you will participate in a community of scholars. What excites you about sharing your perspective with this community? How do you think conversations with your fellow participants will enrich your development as a thinker and an individual? Your statement should be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font and using 1-inch margins.
- Letter of Support, from a faculty sponsor who accepts responsibility for the oversight of the project as is appropriate within the discipline. Direct faculty sponsor to submit letter of support on your behalf to our@pitt.edu by posted deadline.
- Confirmation, that applicant will not simultaneously hold other summer research awards (e.g., OUR awards, Frederick Honors College fellowships).
- For Research with Human Subjects: All students whose research will involve human subjects, or the analysis of data and/or samples from humans, must consult with the University of Pittsburgh Human Research Protection Office (HRPO). You must consult with the HRPO prior to conducting any research activities to determine if an IRB submission is needed and what type of IRB review is required. Please see the Student Research guidance on the HRPO web site. Contact askirb@pitt.edu with questions and for a consult about your project.
While students may undertake research that involves in-person activity, students are also highly encouraged to propose research that may be carried out virtually. SURA students are NOT required to be located in Pittsburgh while conducting their summer research, and all SURA course meetings will allow for remote participation.
Application Deadline is Wednesday, February 26, 2025.