SURF

 

SURF Collection will occur October 15th - 18th, 2025. 

All SURF applications will be reviewed  by faculty/staff at this time.

Please have all materials submitted into InfoReady by your SURF collection appointment. 

What is SURF?

The Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program is designed to allow sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to conduct in-depth research projects in their specific fields of study. Each student must have a faculty mentor, along with a well-developed proposal.

All types of undergraduate research are eligible for support, and all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply. In addition to science, engineering, and mathematics projects, this program will support, for example, an art major who wants to sculpt a major project. Funds are provided for students to travel to conferences and present their accomplishments.

Funding will not begin until January and may be up to $4000 and $750 for travel for the student, plus $1500 for the mentor, with lesser amounts awarded depending on the grant period. If you are graduating in May, then your funding must end in May at graduation.

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizen, resident alien, or national
  • Minimum of 30 hours of on campus college credit at time of funding
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher at time of application
  • Support from faculty mentor

Informational Sessions

The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards holds informational sessions to discuss the SURF award and application process. 

Information session dates for the 2025–2026 academic year will be posted once they are determined.

Registration

Applicants must complete and submit an online registration form prior to completing the SURF application. Upon registering, the student will receive a link to the SURF application packet, which includes the application form and detailed instructions.

Register for SURF

InfoReady Application

Applications for SURF funding will be submitted electronically through InfoReady.

Please consider attending an information session prior to beginning your application. If you cannot attend, please contact Dr. Halbert at mh171@uark.edu for more information. 

Apply for SURF

Application Materials and Instructions

SURF Collection

All students will have their application reviewed before it is sent to ADHE. There are two options for application review:

SURF Early Collection
  • Students are encouraged to participate in an early collection. Please schedule an appointment with Matthew Halbert here if you would like your application reviewed and collected prior to the deadline.
SURF Collection - October 15th - 18th, 2025
  • Any registrants who have not participated in an early collection will have their application reviewed and collected by a University of Arkansas faculty or staff member during a Microsoft Teams appointment.
  • These appointments will be available to choose on October 1st. If you have registered for SURF, you will receive an email with the opportunity to sign up for a collection appointment at that time.

Campus Contact

Dr. Matthew Halbert
mh171@uark.edu
(479) 575-3652

Office of Sponsored Programs

The Office of Sponsored Programs handles disbursement of awarded SURF funds, and has information about the program and the disbursement process on their website.