Eligibility

Summer applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited public or private college or university in the United States or its territories, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Demonstrate a committed interest to pursue graduate study toward a PhD or MD-PhD.
• Have completed at least two semesters and have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate education by the start of the summer program.
• Be a documented U.S. citizen or non-citizen national, or permanent resident in possession of an alien registration receipt card (I-551) or other legal document of such status at the time of application. International citizens studying in the United States with an F-1 or J-1 Visa are not eligible for the SURF-C/SR-EIP. Individuals seeking asylum or refugees are not eligible.

The summer undergraduate research program is geared towards undergraduates who have a strong interest in scientific research and are seriously considering graduate studies in all fields of chemistry. We encourage applications from future chemistry researchers:

• Whose participation will add to the diversity of researchers in the sciences
• Who are from institutions that do not have large research programs

NOTE: SURF-C/SR-EIP is not designed for students pursuing professional training for careers in the practice of law, business administration, clinical medicine, clinical psychology or the allied health professions.

 

• Individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in research careers in the sciences, social sciences and humanities in the academic, public or private sectors, including students who identify as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
• Individuals with disabilities, defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. We understand that some disabilities affect vision, speech, hearing, attention, learning, or mobility, and other disabilities are not obvious.
• Individuals from low-income backgrounds, defined by the Department of Health & Human Services as those who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These income levels are published on the S. Department of Health and Human Serviceswebsite.

 

Undergraduates who bring diversity to academic study by reason of their culture, class, race, ethnicity, background, work and life experiences

No. Princeton University Undergraduates should apply to one of the many on-campus research fellowship programs.

International citizens studying in the United States with an F-1 or J-1 Visa are not eligible for the SURF-C/SR-EIP. Individuals seeking asylum or refugees are not eligible. All applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents in possession of an alien registration receipt card (I-551) or other legal document of such status at the time of application.

No. Applicants should be current undergraduates – rising sophomores, rising juniors, or rising seniors during the summer they participate in the program. High school students, incoming college freshmen, as well as students who will receive their bachelor’s degree before the start date of the summer program are not eligible to apply.

This research experience is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in Chemistry or related fields, including an MD/PhD, and preference will be given to students who can demonstrate a committed interest to the pursuit of a doctoral research degree.

The summer program dates are listed on the Details Page. Students will be allowed to move into their dormitory on the Sunday prior to the start of the program. The final poster session will be the final day of the program. Students are expected to attend the Leadership Alliance National Symposium. Students are expected to attend the program for the full nine weeks

The nine-week stipend is competitive with current NSF REU guidelines and will be shared upon offer of admission. The first installment will be paid during the first week of the program. The second installment will be paid during the fourth week of the program.

In most cases, U.S. citizens and permanent residents should report their summer stipend as income on their tax returns. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents will receive a letter regarding this from the Office of Finance and Treasury. Please see the Office of Finance and Treasury website for details.

Housing for the summer SURF-C/SR-EIP students is provided within on-campus dormitories and is paid for as part of the summer program. Travel is reimbursed up to $500.

Each student will be matched with a Chemistry Department faculty member and become part of his or her research laboratory for the summer. Each student will have his or her own research project to complete within the framework of the research group. Students are expected put in a 40-hour week in the lab and are also required to submit an abstract and present a poster of their summer research at a poster session held at the conclusion of the program.

Available areas of research include Organic synthesis and catalysis; Inorganic Catalysis; Inorganic Materials; Chemical Biology; Experimental Physical Chemistry and Spectroscopy; and Theoretical Physical Chemistry. Please visit the Department of Chemistry’s website for detailed research descriptions. (http://Chemistry.princeton.edu)

We carefully match students to labs based on their research interests as indicated in their application form, recommendation letters and personal statement. We take into consideration each applicant’s overall experience, academic background, and objectives to ensure a good match. Particular lab requests are not guaranteed.

Acceptance and lab placement notifications will begin as early as February 15, and will continue on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled.  Final notifications will occur no later than April 15.

The program coordinator is Dr. Susan VanderKam. You are welcome to email her at skillian@princeton.edu with additional questions.

Princeton University is part of the Leadership Alliance network of colleges and universities united by a shared vision to train, mentor and inspire a diverse group of students into competitive graduate training programs and professional research-based careers. Several of the Princeton University summer programs will accept applications through The Leadership Alliance Summer Research – Early Identification Program (SR-EIP), including SURF-C and  the program in Neuroscience.The SURF-C/SR-EIP program will accept applications only through The Leadership Alliance SR-EIP application process.  For students to be considered through the SR-EIP, Princeton must be selected as one of the three SR-EIP sites indicated on the SR-EIP application.

An acceptance through The Leadership Alliance SR-EIP will automatically add the student to the Leadership Alliance Network, and they will present their summer research at the Summer Leadership Alliance Network Symposium (LANS).

The Leadership Alliance will also provide ongoing mentorship following the summer program as students progress through their education and career.