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Funding for Undergraduate Research

Division of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs)

Brandeis students (rising Brandeis sophomore, junior, or senior in Summer 2025) who are working with a research group in the Division of Science at the time of application are eligible for a SURF. Each Fellow will receive $6000 in stipend support to do summer research (housing support is not included).

Applications are now open
Deadline: February 12, 2025
Summer/Academic Year: Summer only
How to Apply: Submissions require your research proposal, single letter of reference from your faculty mentor, and an unofficial transcript. Please follow the instructions below.

Donor Support

The Division of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs) are underwritten by Brandeis University with the support of generous alumni and friends, helping to create the next generation of scientists. The Brandeis community gratefully recognizes the following individuals and organizations whose generous support enable the summer undergraduate research program and SciFest.

Dr. Frederick W. Alt '71
Gene and Shirley Cordes
Leontine Jordan & Johanna Dreyer Foundation
Dan Getz Endowment for Cardiovascular Research
Grover "Cleve" '71 and Linda Gilmore
Susan Band Horwitz, PhD '63
Peter & Barbara Palmer Jordan
Abraham Kaplan Charitable Foundation
Tema C. Nemtzow '79 & Kraig L. Steffen
Cele H. & William B. Rubin Family Fund
The Jerome A. Schiff Charitable Trust
David G. & Susan C. Van Hooser
Dr. Ilene G. Wittels
Dr. Elaine S. Yamaguchi ‘71

Donate

Other Sources for Undergraduate Research Funding

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Computational Neuroscience and Data Analysis Fellowships

To be considered for funding under our Training Grant in Computational Neuroscience and Data Analysis, undergraduates must have: a) a GPA of better than 3.0 in Division of Science courses, b) made arrangements to work in the laboratory of one of the training faculty (see 8-12 below), c) present a plan of course work that includes a timetable for completion of their declared major, as well as those courses that are necessary for this program (see 1-7 below). Priority will be given to those who indicate their plan to apply to graduate school.

Overview of Undergraduate Training Requirements:

Complete an appropriate major in the Division of Science.
BIOL 107 Data Analysis and Statistics Workshop or COSI 148 An Introduction to Machine Learning.
NBIO 136, Computational Neuroscience.
NBIO 140 (or 240) Principles of Neuroscience.
At least one other NBIO (neurobiology) or NPSY (cognitive neuroscience) course, as relevant to the student’s interests and laboratory choice.
One additional semester of statistics or modeling (from many different available courses).
Attend and participate in NBIO340, Computational and Systems Neuroscience Journal Club when possible.
Conduct an undergraduate research project, resulting in an Honors’ Thesis in the student’s major.
Spend at least one summer in residence at Brandeis, doing research and participating in the Division of Science Undergraduate Research Program.
Choose a second, complementary mentor (so one is experimental, one computational).
Attend and participate in the Responsible Conduct of Research workshop (typically 1 day in Jan).
Attend at least one appropriate international meeting, such as the CoSyne Meeting or Society for Neuroscience Meeting (some training grant funds are available to help with this).

Please contact the program director, Paul Miller (pmiller@brandeis.edu) if you are unsure if you meet the requirements or have any questions about alternatives, as substitutions can be made as necessary.

REU in the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Summer MRSEC Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SMURF)

Provost's Undergraduate Research Fund

Jerome A. Schiff Undergraduate Fellows Program

Summer Schedule

The formal summer research program in Summer 2025 is anticipated to run from Monday, June 2 to Friday, August 8, 2025. SciFest XIII will take place on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

How to Apply

There are two ways to apply for summer research funding. Most funds use the Unified Application, but a few programs use different applications.

Unified Application for Internal Fellowships

There is a single unified application form for fellowships run by the Division of Science. Completed applications are due by February 12, 2025.

The unified application does not apply to the REU in the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.

Provost's Undergraduate Research Fund

Click here for more information on the Provost's Undergraduate Research Fund.

Additional Opportunities

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Entrepreneurial Research

World of Work

Academic Fellowships

Off-campus Opportunities

Fellowships listed above are primarily or exclusively for research at Brandeis.

Applying to Off-Campus REUs or Other Summer Fellowships

Although we at Brandeis pride ourselves in our summer research programs and encourage you to participate here, we know that some of you will want to explore options elsewhere for reasons of subject matter, variety, or personal circumstances.

What's an REU

REU stands for "Research Experiences for Undergraduates," a title used by the National Science Foundation in programs they support.

If you want an off-campus opportunity, you should be able to find many programs on the internet with a quick search. Summer programs of about 8-10 weeks duration can be found at many fine American universities. The Search for an REU Site from the NSF and the Pathways to Science Undergraduates page might be a couple good spots to start looking.

Deadlines for applying are usually around the start of February for summer programs. Don't delay.

You might find the document "How to Succeed as an Undergraduate Science Researcher at Brandeis University" useful when preparing to apply. It was prepared by the Brandeis Science Communication Lab. Additional tips can be found at the Pathways To Science Resources Library.

Additional Information

The Brandeis Science Communication Lab has useful handouts about applying for summer science opportunities.