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Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Page Last Updated: 15 February 2008

SURE Program and Proposal Guidelines

A: First, read further to see if your question is answered below. If you are still having problems, please contact Dr. Curtis Loer cloer at sandiego dot edu [spam-blocked address] or at x4129. Note that email is the best means of contact.

A: When you submit, your data is saved into our database, even if you receive an error message. In most cases, small errors will not be a problem. If you make a big error that you feel you must correct, please contact Dr. Curtis Loer (see above). The system is set to accept only one submission per UNET user, but can be reset to accept a new one if necessary.

A: Note that significant delay in submitting while logged in may result in your session being timed out, and failure of the submission. If you do not see "Thank you. Your information has been submitted" after hitting the SUBMIT button, log in again and submit again. (If you can submit, it is evidence that the submission never happened the first time.) Note also that automatic confirming emails usually are sent and arrive almost instantly (although they do occasionally take up to a few hours).

A: To submit the online portion of your proposal, you need to login with your UNET username and password. Be sure you are using your username only (the part in front of the '@') and not your full email address.

Although the login and form should work from off-campus, it is always possible that some specific computer configuration, browser, internet service provider (ISP) or combination thereof could cause problems. So, if you are having problems from off-campus, you may wish to try submitting from on-campus.

Please note also that the system will accept ONLY ONE proposal submission per UNET username, so be sure to check your information carefully before you click the 'Submit' button.

A: If your browser does not automatically download a SURE proposal form when you click the link (some will open the file in the browswer window, depending on your browser settings), then while the document is showing, go to the File menu and select "Save As" to save the form to your hard drive. Another option (in Windows) is to right click on the link and select "Save Target As".

A: The call for proposals is a PDF, and so can be opened by Adobe Acrobat Reader (or a full-featured version of Acrobat). If you do not have the program, it can be found here: Download Adboe Reader. The proposal "form" Microsoft Word document (although recall that most of the information needed for the proposal that is shown on this form should be submitted online). Only the body of the proposal will be submitted by email. The Faculty Sponsor Form is also a Microsoft Word document, and can be filled in and submitted by email. No online submission is needed for the faculty information submission. Either of those documents should also be able to be opened with most other word processing programs.

A: Yes. Withholding will be taken from the stipend checks; you may be able to adjust the amount withheld via the appropriate forms (see Human Resources). If you do not make enough annually to pay tax, you should be able to get most or all back in refunds by the appropriate filings. [Disclaimer: We can't give you real 'tax advice' here because we're not tax accountants and don't know your particular situation. You'll have to get that on your own.]

A:For 2008, student stipends have been increased and the housing allowance eliminated. If you wish to live on campus as a SURE grant recipient, however, you do qualify for a discounted rate (see below).

A: Yes. Arranging that housing, however, is your responsibility. As a SURE grant recipient, you do qualify for a discounted rate. A list of SURE students will be sent to the Housing office - but be certain to remind them that you are an eligible SURE student to make sure you get the discount.

A: See a list of examples of funded projects from previous years.

A: The PURE (Pre-Undergraduate Research Experience) program is a summer research program for high school students who will be entering USD as freshman in the fall.

A: Yes. A single project must, however, still fit within the maximal budget allowed. The stipend should be divided among multiple students according to the time each will spend on the project.

A: We're sorry to say the answer is No. The SURE program is intended to foster interest in science for returning students who may be able to establish an affiliation with a department or a mentor as a result of their experience in the program. Students who will graduate in December ARE eligible to apply.

A: Yes. Adjunct faculty and postdocs are eligible to participate and supervise student researchers.

A: No. SURE provides funds only for projects supervised by USD faculty.

A: Partial projects (for example, a 5-week project) can be proposed and funded. You should request a proportionate budget, based upon the full project figures included in the call for proposals.

A: SURE students are required to submit a brief written report during the fall semester that follows. SURE students also agree to present at "Creative Collaborations," an annual conference and celebration held each spring (formerly known as the USD Student Research & Internship Conference), or some other approved conference.