Becoming a SURI Fellow

The Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) at Farmingdale State College is a summer-long, immersive research experience, typically 8–12 weeks, designed for Farmingdale first- and second-year students, as well as High School Juniors and Seniors who are ready to explore hands-on, real-world research.

SURI offers structured, faculty-guided research and applied learning opportunities that help you:

• Build strong academic and technical skills
• Discover and shape your professional identity
• Gain experience that prepares you for advanced study, internships, and future careers

Each summer, SURI Scholars are matched with faculty-mentored projects across nearly every discipline at Farmingdale. You may join a lab, design a creative project, collect and analyze data, build technical prototypes, work with community partners, or engage in scholarly inquiry, depending on the project you select.

As a SURI Fellow, you will receive a summer stipend of up to $4,000 for completing your research experience.

Faculty mentors receive support to lead a research “cluster,” which consists of four mentees total:

• 2 Farmingdale SURI Fellows, and
• 2 High School SURI Scholars

This cluster model allows you to collaborate with a small research team, learn from your peers, and experience a dynamic, supportive environment where curiosity, creativity, and discovery thrive.

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YOUR ROLE                        your benefits                               how to apply

 
                                             apply now!                                             

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Your Role

As a SURI Fellow, you are not just participating in a summer program, you are stepping into the role of a developing researcher, creator, scholar, and emerging professional. Your role places you at the center of a meaningful, guided research experience where you contribute to real projects, grow your academic and professional identity, and take ownership of your learning.

Below is a detailed overview of what it means to be a SURI Fellow.

Why Become a SURI Fellow?

A key part of your role is taking ownership of your learning. Early in the experience, you’ll work with your mentor to create a Learning Agreement that sets goals, expectations, and your weekly schedule. Throughout the summer, you’ll track your hours, reflect on your progress, and participate in check-ins that help you stay on course and make the most of the opportunity.

Professionalism is central to SURI. As a Fellow, you are expected to communicate clearly, be dependable, respect deadlines, and follow all lab, safety, or workplace guidelines. How you show up each week reflects your commitment to your team, your mentor, and the program.

You will also work as part of a small research cluster that includes two Farmingdale Fellows and two High School Scholars. Within this team, you’ll collaborate on shared tasks, support one another’s learning, and build key skills, like teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership, that are essential in academic and professional settings.

Finally, you will share the results of your work. At the end of the summer, you will present your project at the SURI Expo, demonstrating what you accomplished and how you’ve grown as a young scholar. This experience helps you develop confidence and strengthens your ability to communicate research to a broader audience.

What You Provide & What Scholars Gain

As a SURI Fellow, you bring your curiosity, dedication, and willingness to learn. You are not expected to arrive with advanced research experience, what matters most is your engagement and readiness to participate. 

You Provide:

• Enthusiasm and genuine interest in the project
• Consistency and reliability, especially with attendance and commitments
• A positive, collaborative attitude within your research cluster
• Respectful and clear communication with your mentor and peers
• Openness to feedback, questions, and new learning opportunities
• A commitment to growth, trying new tasks, and challenging yourself

You Gain:

• Real research experience that strengthens your resume, scholarship applications, and future opportunities
• Technical and academic skills, specific to your discipline and project
• Professional skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management
• A faculty mentor who supports your growth and can serve as a reference for internships, jobs, and graduate school
• A research community, working alongside other college and high school scholars
• A deeper sense of your academic interests and career goals
• Experience presenting your work at the SURI Expo, and potentially IGNITE or SUNY SURC
• A stipend of up to $4,000, awarded upon successful completion of the program
  
  

Responsibilities

To get the most out of SURI and to meet program expectations, you are responsible for maintaining a high standard of professionalism and engagement throughout the summer. Your responsibilities include:

 

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Benefits to SURI Fellows

Becoming a SURI Fellow is one of the most impactful experiences you can have early in your academic career. It gives you hands-on research experience, close mentorship, and a supportive community that helps you grow personally, academically, and professionally.

 
Develop Real Research Skills
As a SURI Fellow, you learn how research actually works, by doing it. You’ll build technical, analytical, and creative skills through hands-on tasks like collecting data, running experiments, designing projects, or conducting literature reviews. This experience strengthens your confidence and prepares you for upper-level coursework, internships, and future opportunities.

 
Boost Your Resume & Graduate School Competitiveness
Undergraduate research is a nationally recognized High-Impact Practice, and SURI gives you strong evidence of your abilities. The program helps you stand out when applying for internships, transfer programs, scholarships, or graduate school. The experience also gives you concrete talking points for interviews and applications.

 
Work Closely with a Faculty Mentor
You’ll build a valuable relationship with a faculty mentor who will guide your research, support your academic goals, and serve as a reference for future opportunities. Many Fellows continue working with their mentors long after the summer ends.

 
Connect with a Community of Scholars
SURI uses a cluster model where you work alongside other Farmingdale Fellows and High School Scholars. You’ll learn teamwork, communication, and leadership skills while growing your professional network. Many students form lasting friendships and mentorship connections through the program.

 
Present Your Work & Celebrate Your Achievements
At the end of the summer, you’ll present your project at the SURI Expo, a chance to show what you’ve accomplished and build presentation skills that are essential in college and beyond. You may also present at IGNITE or the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC).

 
Earn a Summer Stipend
SURI Fellows receive a stipend of up to $4,000 for successfully completing their research experience. This financial support allows you to focus fully on learning, growing, and contributing to your project.

 
Grow Personally & Professionally
Most importantly, SURI helps you discover your strengths, build confidence, clarify your academic interests, and envision new possibilities for your future. Fellows often describe the experience as transformative, opening doors, building skills, and giving them a sense of purpose and direction.

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Application Process & Timeline

Applications Open In

 

Eligibility:

• Must be a undergraduate student at Farmingdale State College in their First or Second Year
• Must be in good academic standing (2.5 GPA minimum)

The Process:

Step 1: Explore available research projects and mentors
Step 2: Submit the online SURI Application
Step 3: Upload required materials
Step 4: Participate in a SURI Interview
Step 5: Receive your placement decision
Step 6: Accept your placement
Step 7: Complete your pre-summer requirements 

Application Requirements:

Students must submit a Resume/CV
Students must submit a 1-2 page personal statement specifically addressing:  

• What are your current career and/or research interests?  
• How has previous coursework, research projects or other experiences influenced your interests?
• What are your future educational and career goals and how does training as a research fit with your goals?
• What are the academic, volunteer or work experiences that have best prepared you for this experience?  

                                                  apply here!                                         

                                                      Applications will Open on Monday, February 2nd
                                                Applications will Close on Friday, March 13th at 11:59pm

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