Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN)

Open
Application Deadline
Important Dates
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Opens in SAM:
  • SURFiN Informational Session:
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Deadline:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews Begin:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews End:
  • Fellows Notified of Lab Placement:
  • Deadline for Fellows to Accept:
  • Mentors Notified of Match & Full Application Opens in SAM for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Full Application Deadline Including Budget and Institutional Sign-Off for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Start Date:
Important Dates
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Opens in SAM:
  • SURFiN Informational Session:
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Deadline:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews Begin:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews End:
  • Fellows Notified of Lab Placement:
  • Deadline for Fellows to Accept:
  • Mentors Notified of Match & Full Application Opens in SAM for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Full Application Deadline Including Budget and Institutional Sign-Off for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Start Date:
Contact Info

SURFiN Program Summary

The goal of the Simons Foundation’s Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) program is to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science. SURFiN provides funds for paid research assistantships for undergraduate students living near participating laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and Europe that are supported by the Simons Foundation’s Autism and Neuroscience division. SURFiN undergraduate fellows will gain hands-on in-person research experience during the 2024–2025 academic year with direct mentorship, typically from early-career scientists, such as graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Description of the SURFiN Undergraduate Research Opportunity

SURFiN is an initiative of the Simons Foundation’s Autism and Neuroscience division, which includes the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB), the Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB) and the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). We are now accepting applications, referred to here as letters of intent (LOIs), from eligible undergraduate students interested in participating in the SURFiN program.

The goal of the SURFiN program is to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science. SURFiN provides funds for paid research assistantships for undergraduate students living near invited laboratories in the U.S., Canada and Europe that are supported by the Simons Foundation’s Autism and Neuroscience division. SURFiN undergraduate fellows gain hands-on in-person research experience during the 2024–2025 academic year with direct mentorship, typically from early career scientists, such as graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, known as “SURFiN mentors.”

We are invested in supporting the next generation of researchers and recognize that diversity improves scientific innovation and collaboration. Through programs like SURFiN, we aim to expand access to research experiences, support early career scientists in advancing in their careers, and work to create a more inclusive research training environment.

The SURFiN Program is named in honor of neuroscientist Krishna Shenoy. Shenoy was an SCGB investigator and seminal figure in developing the dynamical systems approach now widely used to understand and model the nervous system and its functions. He nurtured a collaborative environment in his lab, launched the careers of dozens of neuroscientists and engineers, and inspired them to be dedicated mentors for their team.

This request for applications (RFA) is aimed at undergraduate students whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science who are interested in gaining in-person laboratory experience. The SURFiN Program was designed to place fellows in labs within commuting distance of where they typically live. SURFiN is a pathway through which undergraduate students who may have limited access to research opportunities and/or no prior laboratory experience can apply their talents and curiosity to neuroscience research. The SURFiN program recognizes individual diversity as encompassing a wide array of human identities and lived experiences. This program aims to support undergraduate students whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science, such as members of historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, individuals whose gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and/or disability status is underrepresented in science, or other individuals with disadvantaged social and/or economic backgrounds. We also recognize that diversity and underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting and across countries. Please see the eligibility criteria for more information.

Undergraduate students accepted into SURFiN are expected to:

  • Complete the host institution onboarding and the employment and/or registration of the undergraduate research assistant appointment. Student participation in SURFiN is contingent upon the successful completion of the onboarding process at the host institution in time for the start of the program: September 2024.
  • Complete an in-person, paid undergraduate research assistantship at one of this year’s participating SURFiN lab opportunities during the 2024–2025 academic year (September 2024 through May 2025). Applicants must live within a two (2)-hour commute of the SURFiN laboratory to regularly engage in in-person lab activity. Please see the eligibility criteria for more information. Each SURFiN lab is led by a Principal Investigator (PI) faculty member at the host institution.
  • Conduct in-person research with guidance from a SURFiN mentor, typically an early career scientist, such as a graduate student and postdoctoral researcher in the SURFiN lab.
  • Participate in both virtual and in-person professional development and community-building activities offered through the SURFiN program, including a computational sciences boot camp as it relates to lab placement or interest. All activities will be held in Standard American English.
  • Connect with the SURFiN scientific community and Simons Foundation scientists and staff.
  • Along with the SURFiN mentor, travel to and present at the Simons Foundation in New York City in spring 2025 during an undergraduate research symposium, with travel and lodging coordinated and financially covered by the Simons Foundation.

After the academic year program, PIs, mentors and undergraduate students may have the opportunity to request an extension of the SURFiN fellowship for an additional summer or second academic year. This is contingent upon availability and mutual agreement between the SURFiN undergraduate fellow, SURFiN mentor, host laboratory, and the Simons Foundation. Extensions are only possible for undergraduate students who continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the program, including maintaining undergraduate enrollment through the extension time period.

Informational Session

For an overview of the SURFiN Program, interested undergraduate students are encouraged to attend a virtual informational webinar on Thursday, April 11, 2024, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and may register here. A recording of this session will be available online.

Informational videos and answers to frequently asked questions on how to navigate the grants management system Simons Award Manager (SAM) can be found here.

List of Lab Opportunities

A list of available SURFiN laboratory opportunities for the 2024–2025 academic year can be found here. Applicants must choose at least one (1) and up to three (3) opportunities of interest in their application. Applicants must live or be enrolled at an institution that is within a two (2)-hour commuting distance one-way (by car or public transit) of the SURFiN laboratory in order to regularly engage in in-person lab activity. All participating students are responsible for coordinating their transportation and any associated costs. If we find that one of the lab opportunities you selected is not within a two (2)-hour commuting distance, you will not be considered for that lab opportunity, but can still be considered for the other labs on your list that meet the requirement.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the SURFiN Program, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for both the Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience Program (outlined below) and the individual SURFiN lab opportunities selected in their application. We will rely on your signed self-attestation and cannot make a formal determination regarding your identity, disability status or social and/or economic background. We recognize that diversity varies across different settings and across countries. Please see the self-attestation form in SAM. For additional information, see our FAQ.

  • An applicant must currently be enrolled (in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format) as a part-time or full-time undergraduate student at a degree-granting institution and remain actively enrolled through at least April 15, 2025. For this program, undergraduate students are students enrolled in a bachelor’s, associate’s, or equivalent degree program at a degree-granting institution, including four-year universities and two-year community colleges. If an applicant is in a dual-degree program, the applicant must still be enrolled in at least 1 undergraduate-level course during the 2024–2025 academic year in order to be eligible to apply for this program.
  • Students on a leave of absence or not actively completing coursework towards their degree during the 2024–2025 academic year are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by July 31, 2024.
  • Applicants must currently live or be enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of a SURFiN laboratory and will be expected to engage in regular in-person lab activity throughout the duration of the program if selected. For students enrolled in in-person or hybrid undergraduate degree programs, you must be enrolled at an institution within a two-hour commuting distance of a SURFiN lab opportunity. For students enrolled in exclusively virtual undergraduate degree programs, your place of residence must be within a two-hour commuting distance of a SURFiN lab opportunity. All participating students are responsible for coordinating their own transportation and any associated costs. Your application will not be considered for any lab opportunities that are outside of the two-hour commuting distance of your place of residence or institution.
  • It is not necessary for applicants to have prior laboratory experience.
  • The program is open to individuals whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science, such as members of historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, individuals whose gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and/or disability status is underrepresented in science, or other individuals with disadvantaged social and/or economic backgrounds. Please see the self-attestation form in SAM.
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is not required. We cannot sponsor visas for students, nor can we delay the start of the SURFiN program due to delays in obtaining work authorization if required by the host institution.
  • Individual hosting institutions may have additional eligibility requirements; applicants should check that they meet both SURFiN’s programmatic eligibility criteria listed above and any additional criteria listed for the SURFiN lab opportunities selected in their application.

All applicants with a change in their eligibility status based on the criteria listed above — for example, due to a change in enrollment status or transfer to a different undergraduate institution — must notify [email protected] without delay.

Please note that student participation in SURFiN is contingent upon the successful completion of the onboarding process at the host institution in time for the start of the program: September 2024.

Level and Duration of Funding

Fellowships will be for the 2024–2025 academic year. Fellowships will begin in the Fall 2024 academic semester and continue through the Spring 2025 academic semester. We will provide host laboratories with funds to support each fellow from September 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025.

The SURFiN program provides the following financial support to the SURFiN host laboratory’s institution during the academic year. All funds are administered by the SURFiN host laboratory. Host laboratories are responsible for guiding the fellows through their onboarding process and ensuring that all fellows understand how funds will be administered during the academic year prior to or at the start of the SURFiN program. After being paired with a mentor, fellows must contact their assigned host SURFiN laboratory to understand the process of accessing the below funds:

  • $7,500 USD salary support/stipend: The institution department or host laboratory must access these funds to cover the total wages earned by the fellow during the academic year at a rate equivalent to $25/hour for 10 hours a week over 30 weeks and administer them to the fellow in a timely manner.
  • $2,000 USD resource stipend: The institution department or host laboratory may administer these funds to be used to support the fellow’s work and professional development during the academic year. Allowable expenses include small equipment such as a laptop computer for coding projects or fees for training courses. The resource stipend may also be used to cover any travel costs or registration fees for the SURFiN fellow to attend conferences related to the research project. Any equipment purchased with these funds will be the property of the laboratory and should remain with the lab after the SURFiN fellow’s project concludes. Please note that commuting costs, renewable reagents, and animal costs are not allowed.
  • $2,000 USD administrative fee: These funds may be used at the discretion of the institution department or laboratory towards institutional, administrative, indirect and/or overhead costs associated with administering the award, including but not limited to fringe benefit costs, human resources, payroll services, and other related grant and project management services. The administrative fee is intended for the use of the host institution, not the fellow.

Please refer to our grant policies for guidelines. Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations, the Simons Foundation, Inc., reserves the right to refer an application to the Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI) for consideration and funding, in which case SFI’s grant policies would apply.

Instructions for Submission

The deadline for the letter of intent (LOI) application submission is 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. All LOIs must be submitted via SAM. The How to Apply instructions provide a brief overview of what to do. Full step-by-step instructions for the LOI are provided within the application in SAM. Applicants must download and read the instructions provided within the LOI carefully.

Undergraduate students interested in applying to SURFiN should first review the list of available lab opportunities prior to submitting an LOI in SAM. Applicants may select and rank up to three (3) opportunities of interest. Applicants must be able to regularly commute to and engage in in-person lab activity, as per the eligibility criteria. Applicants will not be considered for any lab opportunities that are located outside of the maximum two-hour commuting distance (refer to the eligibility criteria for more details).

All application materials will be reviewed by Simons Foundation staff, external reviewers, and mentors/labs that you are invited to interview with if selected as a finalist for this program.

Overview of Review Process

yellow and blue boxes showing important deadlines for SURFiN grant

Applications will be reviewed by our scientific staff and an external review committee. Reviewers will weigh criteria related to the applicant’s potential to engage in and benefit from experience in a scientific laboratory. Prior laboratory experience is not required and will not be heavily weighted in the review process.

After review, undergraduate finalists will be invited to interview with potential mentors and PIs between June 14 and 28, 2024. Interviews may be conducted virtually. Applicants not initially selected as finalists may be placed on a waitlist during the interview period. In the event that an undergraduate finalist withdraws their application, we may be able to offer an interview slot to an applicant on the waitlist. Our staff will assign final mentor-fellow pairings based on mentor and finalist feedback from these interviews. If matched with a lab, fellows will be notified of a lab placement by July 12, 2024, and allowed until July 19, 2024 to accept or decline. Mentors will be notified of the final pairing by July 24, 2024.

All fellowships and awards will begin in September 2024.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to grantmaking that inspires and supports greater diversity and inclusiveness by cultivating a funding environment that ensures representation of all identities and differences and equitable access to information and resources for all applicants and grantees.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants for funding without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law. We also fund programs directed at supporting scientists from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups, often working closely with professional societies and other funding agencies.

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Important Dates
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Opens in SAM:
  • SURFiN Informational Session:
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Deadline:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews Begin:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews End:
  • Fellows Notified of Lab Placement:
  • Deadline for Fellows to Accept:
  • Mentors Notified of Match & Full Application Opens in SAM for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Full Application Deadline Including Budget and Institutional Sign-Off for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Start Date:
Contact Info

The deadline for the application, also known as the “Letter of Intent” (LOI) submission, is 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Applications must be submitted via the Simons Award Manager (SAM). Please click on the Funding Opportunities icon and navigate to the Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) Student call. Click the Create Application button to begin. LOIs should be started and submitted under the applicant’s own account in SAM.

Important Information:
Full step-by-step instructions and a description of application materials are provided within the application in SAM. Applicants must download and read the instructions carefully.

All application materials will be reviewed by Simons Foundation staff, external reviewers, and mentors/labs that you are invited to interview with if selected as a finalist for this program.

All SURFiN program activities will be held in Standard American English. We require that all application materials, including letters of reference, be submitted in English, with the exception of the transcript. For students attending an institution outside of the U.S., you may submit a transcript in the native language of your institution’s country if an English translation is not available.

Informational Sessions for Potential Applicants:
For an overview of the SURFiN Program, interested undergraduate students are encouraged to attend a virtual informational webinar on Thursday, April 11, 2024, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and may register here. A recording of this session will be available online.

Informational videos and answers to frequently asked questions regarding submitting applications in SAM can be found here.

Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission:

  1. Record Summary: The name of the applicant applying to be a fellow and the undergraduate institution associated with their user profile will appear here. Please make sure that the institution listed is the institution at which the applicant is currently enrolled and will continue to remain enrolled as a student during the 2024–2025 academic year. If the applicant anticipates transferring to a different school, please contact [email protected] with the date the transfer is confirmed and will take place.
  2. Proposal Tab: Please see the question prompts and all word or page limits indicated in the full step-by-step instructions within the application in SAM. For fields that require an upload, all documents must be provided as a PDF. Required fields include, but are not limited to:

    Expected Graduation Date.

    Field of Study.

    Signed Self-Attestation of Eligibility (template provided in SAM).

    Statement of Interest (300 words or less). Please explain your interest in applying for the SURFiN Program, including how participating in this program will help you achieve your academic and career goals.

    Research Experience Summary (300 words or less). Please include a brief description of your prior and/or planned experience in the following subject areas: neuroscience, psychology, biology, computer science, math, physics or other relevant subjects. Experience may include research, project(s) or subject area study. Applicants are not expected to have research experience. In the absence of research experience, please detail any relevant coursework. This is intended to help us better understand each applicant’s transcript and assess their fit with the available lab opportunities.

    Resume or Curriculum Vitae (1 page).

    Official or Unofficial Transcript.

    Selection of 1–3 available SURFiN lab opportunities you are interested in. A list of all available SURFiN lab opportunities for the 2024–2025 program can be found here. We strongly encourage you to review the provided project descriptions, mentor biographies, and any lab-specific eligibility criteria for all of the available lab opportunities in your area. Please note that your application will only be considered for SURFiN lab opportunities that are located within a two (2) hour commuting distance one-way by car or public transportation of where you currently live and/or the institution at which you are enrolled as an undergraduate student.

  3. Letter of Reference Tab: At least one (1) and up to two (2) letters of reference are required. Letter-writers should be able to speak to the applicant’s potential to engage in and benefit from the program. This includes, but is not limited to, academic advisors, academic or career counselors, professors or instructors, work supervisors, teaching assistants or resident advisors. Confidential letters must be submitted through SAM. Instructions on how to invite letter-writers, also known as referees, are provided in this tab within SAM. Please note that you must enter a date by which the invited referee should submit their letter of reference and click Save Draft prior to sending the invitation. This will ensure that the email invitation sent to the referee includes the due date you set. A video on the Letter of Reference process can be found here. You will not be able to submit your application until at least one (1) letter of reference is submitted by a referee (i.e., letter-writer). Additionally, you will not be able to submit if you have more than two (2) letters of recommendation.
  4. Check Application Progress: Click the Check Application Progress button to check for any missing required information or files. All missing required information will be listed at the top of the screen and must be corrected before the LOI can be submitted.
  5. Submit Application: When the LOI is complete, please click on the Submit Application button. A confirmation page will appear once the LOI is successfully submitted. A confirmation email is also sent upon submission. Please make sure that spam filters allow emails from [email protected]. Please contact [email protected] if you did not receive this email and it is not in your spam folder. The submitted LOI will appear in the Submitted tab of the Applications in Progress table. Please note that you will not be able to submit an LOI if the deadline has passed.

Once your application has been submitted, Simons Foundation staff will be in touch if we require any additional information or revisions for your submission. Please monitor your inbox and make sure that spam filters allow emails from [email protected] and [email protected]. Applicants are encouraged to monitor the status of the submission through SAM periodically.

Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations, the Simons Foundation, Inc., reserves the right to refer an application to the Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI) for consideration and funding, in which case SFI’s grant policies would apply.

Important Dates
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Opens in SAM:
  • SURFiN Informational Session:
  • Undergraduate Student Application (LOI) Deadline:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews Begin:
  • Mentor and Fellow Interviews End:
  • Fellows Notified of Lab Placement:
  • Deadline for Fellows to Accept:
  • Mentors Notified of Match & Full Application Opens in SAM for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Full Application Deadline Including Budget and Institutional Sign-Off for Host Lab to Complete:
  • Start Date:
Contact Info
  1. SURFiN Program Activities and Funding:plus--large
      Is this an in-person or virtual experience?plus--large

      SURFiN is an in-person research experience. Undergraduate students selected for SURFiN must currently live or be enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of a SURFiN laboratory and will be expected to engage in regular in-person lab activity throughout the duration of the program.

      The SURFiN Program was designed so that undergraduate students could be placed in labs within commuting distance of their place of residence throughout the academic year. As such, applicants cannot apply to labs that would require them to relocate.

      SURFiN professional development and community-building activities will take place both virtually and in person.

      Students accepted to SURFiN can expect to travel to and present at the Simons Foundation in New York City in spring 2025 for an undergraduate research symposium, with travel and lodging coordinated and covered by the Simons Foundation.

      If I get accepted, when can I start the research assistantship?plus--large

      Student participation in SURFiN is contingent upon the successful completion of the onboarding process at the host institution in time for the start of the program: September 2024. Undergraduate students selected for SURFiN must coordinate with their mentor, host lab principal investigator (PI) and host institution to complete the onboarding and the employment and/or registration of the undergraduate research assistant appointment. Students accepted to SURFiN should communicate with the host lab and institution regarding their start date in the lab. SURFiN professional development and community-building activities will begin in September 2024

      If I get accepted, what will my work schedule be like?plus--large

      SURFiN provides funds for students to work in the lab during the academic year at a rate equivalent to $25/hour for 10 hours a week over 30 weeks during the 2024-2025 academic year (September 2024 through May 2025). We estimate that SURFiN undergraduate fellows will work approximately 10 hours per week. Generally, the 10 hours may be split up over more than one day of the week, and most fellows and mentors can negotiate the work schedule around classes, school breaks and holidays.

      We recommend that, if selected for SURFiN, undergraduate students consider their course load, commitments, and commute time when discussing their work schedule with the host lab. Ultimately, undergraduate students selected for SURFiN must coordinate their work schedule with their lab mentor and principal investigator.

      What is the maximum amount I could be paid in this program?plus--large

      The SURFiN program provides $7,500 USD for salary support/stipend to the SURFiN host laboratory’s institution. The institution department or host laboratory must access these funds to cover the SURFiN wages earned by the fellow during the academic year at a rate equivalent to $25/hour for 10 hours a week over 30 weeks during the 2024–2025 academic year (September 2024 through May 2025).

      If I am selected as a fellow, are commuting or transportation costs to and from my assigned SURFiN laboratory covered through the fellowship?plus--large

      No. All participating students are responsible for coordinating their transportation and any associated costs.

      What can I use the $2,000 resource stipend for? If I get accepted, can I use the $2,000 resource stipend for transportation costs for commuting?plus--large

      The institution department or host laboratory may administer the $2,000 USD resource stipend to support the fellow’s work and professional development during the academic year. Allowable expenses include small equipment such as a laptop computer for coding projects or fees for training courses. The resource stipend may also be used to cover any travel costs or registration fees for the SURFiN fellow to attend conferences related to the research project. Any equipment purchased with these funds will be the property of the laboratory and should remain with the lab after the SURFiN fellow’s project concludes.

      The resource stipend cannot be used for commuting costs, renewable reagents or animal costs for the fellow or lab.

      Can I receive academic credit for the fellowship?plus--large

      Academic credit is subject to the policies of the student’s undergraduate institution. All participating undergraduate students should reach out to their institutions to inquire about their eligibility to receive academic credit for their lab work. The SURFiN program does not intend for students to forgo the stipend in order to receive academic credit. Students should confirm with their undergraduate institution if they will be able to continue to receive compensation if they are eligible to receive academic credit for their fellowship.

  2. Eligibility for the SURFiN Programplus--large
      I see the award is aimed at undergraduate students whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science. Who is eligible to apply?plus--large

      The eligibility criteria can be found in the self-attestation form in SAM. We cannot make a formal determination regarding an applicant’s identity, disability status or social and/or economic background. Applicants must review and sign a self-attestation form regarding the eligibility criteria. If you meet the listed criteria, you are welcome to apply.

      Do I need to provide supporting documentation of my backgrounds and experiences that are underrepresented in science?plus--large

      No. We will rely on your signed self-attestation and cannot make a formal determination regarding your identity, disability status or social and/or economic background. Please do not send us any supporting documentation.

      The eligibility criteria states that applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate program at a degree-granting undergraduate institution. What degree programs are considered “undergraduate” level?plus--large

      For this program, applicants must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, associate’s, or equivalent degree program at a degree-granting institution.

      If an applicant is in a dual-degree program, such as a bachelor’s/master’s program, the applicant must still be enrolled in at least 1 undergraduate-level course during the 2024–2025 academic year in order to be eligible to apply for this program.

      Students who are unsure if their degree program is considered equivalent to an undergraduate program should contact [email protected] to inquire about their eligibility before applying.

      Do I need to have prior experience working in a lab or research setting?plus--large

      No. It is not necessary for applicants to have prior laboratory experience. Reviewers will weigh criteria related to the applicant’s potential to engage in and benefit from experience in a scientific laboratory. Prior laboratory experience is not required and will not be heavily weighted in the review process.

      Do I need to attend the same institution as the lab I’m interested in working in?plus--large

      No. You may select a lab opportunity at another institution so long as you meet the eligibility requirements for the SURFiN Program and eligibility requirements for the individual SURFiN lab, and currently live or are enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of the SURFiN laboratory. Undergraduate students will be expected to engage in regular in-person lab activity throughout the duration of the program if selected. Your application will not be considered for any lab opportunities that are outside of the two-hour commuting distance of your place of residence or institution.

      I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I eligible to apply?plus--large

      U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is not required. We cannot sponsor visas for students, nor can we delay the start of the SURFiN program due to delays in obtaining work authorization, if required by the host institution.

      Student participation in SURFiN is contingent upon the successful completion of the onboarding process at the host institution in time for the start of the program: September 2024. Undergraduate students selected for SURFiN must coordinate with their mentor, host lab principal investigator and host institution to complete the onboarding and the employment and/or registration of the undergraduate research assistant appointment.

      I am interested in one of the U.S. lab opportunities. Do I need to live in the U.S.?plus--large

      Yes. All available SURFiN lab opportunities for the 2024–2025 academic year can be found here. If you are interested in any of the lab opportunities in the U.S., you must currently live or be enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of the SURFiN laboratory.

      I am interested in one of the international lab opportunities. Do I need to live in the same country as the lab opportunity?plus--large

      Yes. All available SURFiN lab opportunities for the 2024–2025 academic year can be found here. If you are interested in any of the lab opportunities outside of the U.S., you must currently live or be enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of the SURFiN laboratory.

      Can I move or relocate to a city where a SURFiN lab is located?plus--large

      No. The SURFiN Program was designed to place fellows in labs within commuting distance of where they typically live. As such, you should not apply to labs that would require you to relocate. Applicants must currently live or be enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of a SURFiN laboratory and will be expected to engage in regular in-person lab activity throughout the duration of the program if selected. Your application will not be considered for any lab opportunities that are outside of the two-hour commuting distance of your place of residence or institution. The SURFiN Program does not organize relocation or include relocation assistance.

      Does SURFiN sponsor visas?plus--large

      No. The SURFiN Program does not organize or sponsor visas. The SURFiN Program does not organize relocation or include relocation assistance.

      I will be taking a gap year or a leave of absence from my undergraduate degree during the 2024–2025 academic year. Am I still eligible to apply?plus--large

      No. Students on a leave of absence or not actively completing coursework towards their degree during the academic year 2024–2025 are not eligible to apply.

      I am in the process of transferring to a new university. Am I still eligible?plus--large

      Yes. However, you should only select lab opportunities that are within an allowable commuting distance (please see the eligibility criteria) of the college/university you will be attending during the 2024–2025 academic year. Applicants who transfer to a different undergraduate institution or are unsure where they will be attending in the 2024–2025 academic year must contact [email protected] before submitting an application.

      If I graduate in early May 2025, am I still eligible?plus--large

      Yes. Applicants must currently be enrolled (in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format) as a part-time or full-time undergraduate student at a degree-granting institution and remain actively enrolled through at least April 15, 2025. Students who will be graduating before April 15, 2025, are not eligible to apply for this program.

      I currently work in a lab that is not on the list of SURFiN lab opportunities. Can I apply and request to be matched with my current lab?plus--large

      No. The SURFiN Program only matches undergraduate students to the labs currently listed as SURFiN lab opportunities here. If you apply, you can only request to be matched with one of the lab opportunities on that list. We will not accept requests for any additional labs.

  3. Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission and Review Processplus--large
      This is my first time using the Simons Award Manager (SAM). Is there an instructional guide available?plus--large

      A summary of instructions on how to submit the LOI for this program can be found here. For general instructions, informational videos or answers to frequently asked questions on how to navigate SAM, please reference the videos available here.

      Full step-by-step instructions and a description of application materials are provided within the application in SAM. Applicants must download and read the instructions carefully.

      If I am selected for an interview, will that interview be virtual or in person?plus--large

      If you are selected as a finalist, you will receive a notification with a list of at least one potential mentor (and their principal investigator, or PI) to interview with. Interviews will be conducted between June 14 and 28, 2024. Interviews may be conducted virtually. After receiving the notification, you and the mentor/PI can determine the format of the interview (virtual or in person).

      How many lab opportunities can I select in my application? How should I determine which ones to pick?plus--large

      All available SURFiN lab opportunities for the 2024–2025 academic year can be found here. All applicants are required to select at least one (1) lab opportunity but can choose up to three (3). All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the list for any lab opportunities located within their geographic area before beginning their application. Applicants must currently live or be enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of a SURFiN laboratory.

      As you select your preferred lab opportunities, we strongly encourage you to consider your course load, commitments, and commute time, as well as means of transportation. All participating students are responsible for coordinating their transportation and any associated costs.

      Is there a restriction on the number of fellows that will be assigned to a particular lab, project, or institution?plus--large

      No. There is no limit on the number of fellows that can be paired with any particular lab, program or institution.

      How will the mentor and student pairings be decided? Do we have a choice in the lab we join?plus--large

      Yes. Our selection process is designed to give undergraduate finalists and potential SURFiN mentors an opportunity to meet before the lab assignments are decided. We publish a list of available lab opportunities for the 2024–2025 academic year to allow for the undergraduate students to indicate their preferred lab placements in their applications. Students can select up to three (3) placements of interest. Undergraduate students selected for SURFiN must currently live or be enrolled at an institution within a two (2)-hour commute one way (by car or public transportation) of a SURFiN laboratory. Undergraduate finalists will be invited to interview with potential mentors and PIs between June 14 and 28, 2024. Our staff will assign final mentor-fellow pairings based on mentor and finalist feedback from these interviews. If matched with a lab, fellows will be notified of a lab placement by July 12, 2024, and allowed until July 19, 2024, to accept or decline.

      Are letters of reference required? How many letters of reference are required? plus--large

      Yes. At least one (1) and up to two (2) confidential letters of recommendation are required from letter-writers able to speak to your potential to engage in and benefit from the program. This includes, but is not limited to, academic advisors, academic or career counselors, professors or instructors, work supervisors, teaching assistants or resident advisors. Confidential letters must be submitted through SAM.

      You will not be able to submit your LOI until at least one (1) letter of recommendation is submitted by a referee (i.e., letter-writer). Additionally, you will not be able to submit if you have more than two (2) letters of recommendation.

      We strongly recommend that applicants begin the online application in SAM as soon as possible to ensure that letters of recommendation are submitted in time.

      Will any of the potential mentor(s) or principal investigator(s) (PIs) see my application materials?plus--large

      If you are selected for an interview, the potential mentor(s) and PI(s) you are matched with for an interview will be able to access a copy of all of your application materials in advance of the interview.

      Am I required to answer all demographic data questions on my SAM user profile?plus--large

      Yes. You must provide a response to all required fields; however, “Prefer not to disclose” is an available option for each required question. Disclosing demographic data is voluntary. To complete these fields, the user must navigate to the Personal Data section of their profile.

      The demographic data provided by applicants and grantees to the Simons Foundation will serve multiple purposes: to help us understand how our grantmaking reflects the communities we seek to serve; and to equip our staff with critical data to help create equitable funding opportunities as one part of our overall commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Demographic data will not be shared with reviewers or otherwise used during the application review process unless stated otherwise in the Request for Applications (RFA). Aggregate data may be used publicly. Demographic data is only visible to the applicant and a subset of Simons Foundation staff, such as programmatic and grantmaking staff. If you wish to review our data collection and use practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

      Can I email or mail my letter of intent (LOI)?plus--large

      No. We only accept LOIs submitted online through SAM. Full instructions on how to submit an LOI are provided in the How to Apply instructions.

      Do I need institutional sign-off to submit a LOI?plus--large

      No. Institutional sign-off is not required.

      I get an error message citing a missing section when I try to submit the LOI.plus--large

      The Check Application Progress button reviews your proposal for missing sections. The submission instructions list the required sections and attachments. You must complete the missing items listed in the error message before you can submit your LOI. If you are still receiving error messages after completing and saving the indicated sections, please contact [email protected].

      How do I submit? Will I receive a confirmation email when I submit?plus--large

      When the LOI is complete, please click on the Submit Application button. A confirmation page will appear once the LOI is successfully submitted. A confirmation email is also sent upon submission. Please make sure that spam filters allow emails from [email protected]. Please contact [email protected] if you did not receive a confirmation email and it is not in your spam folder. The LOI will appear in the Submitted tab of the Applications in Progress table. Please note that you will not be able to submit an LOI if the deadline has passed.

      Once your application has been submitted, the Simons Foundation will be in touch if we require any additional information or revisions for your submission. Please monitor your inbox and make sure that spam filters allow emails from [email protected] and [email protected]. Applicants are encouraged to monitor the status of the submission through SAM periodically.

      Are deadline times adjusted for time zones?plus--large

      No. Please be advised that deadlines are in Eastern Time. We recommend registering early and submitting with ample time for corrections prior to the deadline hour. Site traffic can slow page-load times. You will not be able to submit after the deadline has passed.

      Can I make changes to the LOI once it has been submitted?plus--large

      You must contact the Simons Foundation prior to the 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time May 1, 2024, deadline in order to make changes to your application. Please email [email protected] if you would like to un-submit your LOI for any modifications. Changes to your application will not be allowed after the deadline.

      When will applicants be notified of fellow decisions?plus--large

      After the interviews, undergraduate finalists who are successfully paired with a lab will be notified of their lab placements by July 12, 2024, and allowed until July 19, 2024, to accept or decline. All students not paired with a lab can expect to receive a formal notification regarding their application status by July 24, 2024. For more details, please refer to the RFA.

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Advancing Research in Basic Science and MathematicsSubscribe to our newsletters to receive news & updates