Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
What is SURE?
The SURE program funds promising undergraduate researchers for eight weeks over the summer to engage in faculty-supervised research. The SURE program will support students with either a $3,200 stipend (40 hours/week) or $1,600 stipend (20 hours/week) and on-campus housing if needed. Faculty may be provided with a $400 stipend to offset the cost of supplies/materials necessary to support student research.
Students may attend the following information sessions to learn more about SURE and get any of their questions answered:
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, noon – 1 pm., Schwartz Center 203
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 5 – 6:15 pm., Schwartz Center 203
Monday, January 27, 2025, 6 – 7:15 pm., Schwartz Center 203
Monday, February 3, 2025, noon – 1:15 pm., Schwartz Center 203
Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 4 – 5:15 pm., Schwartz Center 203
Deadline for submitting SURE 2025 applications is Monday, February 17th, 2025, at 8:00 am.
Join us in summer 2025 for SURE – The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is a great opportunity for undergraduate researchers to work directly with a faculty mentor, gain valuable experience to clarify career and educational goals, enhance research skills and gain academic insight.
The SURE program will run tentatively from June 2 – July 31 and will provide students with a $3,200 stipend (40 hours/week) or $1,600 stipend (20 hours/week). The program plans to run both an in-person and remote component. The SURE fellowship may also provide (at no cost to students) housing for students selecting on-campus accommodations. Students who plan to enroll in a summer class(es), please note that your stipend will be attributed to your bursar's bill and cover any existing balance prior to monies being reimbursed. All monies will be paid if no monies are owed. Students not enrolling in summer classes will be paid directly over three installments as in previous years.
Applicants for the programs must be in good academic standing and have an identified faculty mentor who will provide engagement throughout the eight-week program. Students must be returning to any of the KSU campuses for fall 2025.
Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, December 9, 2024.
Deadline for submitting completed applications is Monday, February 17, 2025, by 8AM.
Contact Ann Gosky at agosky@kent.edu if assistance is needed in finding a faculty mentor.
Applicants for the programs must be in good academic standing and have an identified faculty mentor who will provide engagement throughout the eight-week program. Students must be returning to any of the KSU campuses for fall 2025.
Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, December 9, 2024.
Deadline for submitting completed applications is Monday, February 17, 2025, by 8AM.
Contact Ann Gosky at agosky@kent.edu if assistance is needed in finding a faculty mentor.
You can use the following links to review what you will be asked to fill out before completing the application.
Student Application Preview (PDF) Faculty Application/Letter of Support (PDF)
What students are saying:
"Kent State University's SURE program has given me the confidence and skill set I need to be successful in my future. Sure has given me the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from some of KSU's most knowledgeable and experienced students and faculty. The knowledge and skills I have gained in the SURE program is invaluable. The SURE program further cultivated professionalism and presentation skills." ---Emily Murphy, Senior, Biological Sciences
"The Office of Student Research fosters an inclusive environment and stimulates additional ways for students to learn. I appreciate the hands-on experience I receive and the abundant support from mentors, faculty and peers."---Kendra Rose Hughley, Senior, Broadcast Journalism major, Pan African Studies and Political Science double minor
"The SURE program allowed me to delve deeper into the research side of my field. This opportunity has enriched my undergraduate experience and solidified my career goals to serve others as a speech-language pathologist. With the SURE program, I have built upon the knowledge learned in the undergraduate classroom. This experience has boosted my confidence as a research assistant, and it has led to great personal and academic growth." ---Ashley Ferguson, Speech Pathology and Audiology
WANT TO HEAR WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE SURE PROGRAM?
Check out the Student Researcher Profiles
Student Qualifications
Students applying for a SURE internship must:
- Be a current Kent State University student.
- Identify a faculty mentor.
- Be enrolled at any of the KSU campuses for the fall semester after the experience.
- Acquire and present a faculty letter of support that includes how the student will serve to increase the faculty member’s productivity, grant applications and/or presentations of research.
- Complete the SURE application.
Student Benefits
Students who are awarded a SURE research internship will:
- Learn critical thinking skills and creative, problem-solving skills valued by employers.
- Prepare for graduate school or employment and stand out from the competition.
- Work directly with a faculty mentor on a research project to enhance your learning.
- Gain valuable experience to clarify career and educational goals.
- Enhance research skills and academic insight.
Faculty Benefits
Faculty who serve as mentors for SURE interns will gain:
- Student support of their research efforts.
- Potential for increased productivity, grant applications and presentations.
- Enhanced teaching skills.
- Fresh insight and inquiry in your area of study.
- For more information on the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, please click here or contact agosky@kent.edu.
Learn More
SURE is sponsored by the Division of Research and Economic Development, Honors College, and the Office of the President. In addition, SURE is supported by the following individuals, departments, colleges, institutes and others:
2024 SURE PARTICIPANTS AND MENTORS
2024 SURE 3 MINUTE PRESENTATION WINNERS