Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) - Community-Based Research Fellowships

Overview

The Carolina Center for Public Service and the APPLES Service-Learning Program, in partnership with the Office for Undergraduate Research awards up to seven Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) of $3,500 each to support community-based-research in either domestic or global communities.

Community-based research is a collaborative enterprise that involves students, community members, and faculty in the design and implementation of research projects of shared interest that address a community need and, ultimately, promote social action and the common good. Community members play an integral role in defining the research question and objectives as well as providing input on project organization and direction. This approach requires a research question that is investigative rather than one that is intended to prove a given agenda. Many community-based research projects take the form of a needs assessment, program evaluation, data analysis, or documentary research. Community-based research promotes the use of various methods of inquiry and dissemination of the findings produced.

Application Instructions

For specific information on the CBR-SURF requirements, application instructions, selection process and criteria, and the online application, please see the SURF Program page at the Office for Undergraduate Research.

If you want to be considered for a CBR-SURF, please check the relevant box on the SURF application and include a brief statement within your proposal explaining the community-based focus of your research.

For more information, please contact Elaine Tola at the Carolina Center for Public Service, or Jenny Huq at APPLES.

Additional Requirements

In addition to project completion and requirements from the Office for Undergraduate Research, CBR-SURFs will be asked to participate in the following opportunities:

• maintain a journal or blog throughout the summer
• attend monthly reflection discussions during the fall semester after conducting research
• present findings at a research symposium or conference
• submit a final report summarizing the experience of conducting community-based research

Meet the current Fellows

The Carolina Center for Public Service strengthens the University's public service commitment by promoting scholarship and service that are responsive to the concerns of the state and contribute to the common good.

Carolina Connects

A Community Engaged University” recognized by the
 Carnegie Foundation