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Velay Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (VSURF)

A ten-week summer research and professional development experience in STEM for CUNY undergraduate sophomores and juniors, offering a $5,000 stipend.

Fellowship
The Velay Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (VSURF) program is a ten-week, summer research and professional development experience for undergraduates in STEM. Accepted students are paired with a mentor from one of the five research initiatives at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC): environmental science, nanoscience, neuroscience, photonics, and structural biology. Participants complete a project plan developed in collaboration with their mentors, attend weekly professional development workshops, and create a presentation of their research project for their peers, mentors, and family/friends. This opportunity allows sophomore and junior-level students to gain transformational, multidisciplinary experiences and professional tools that will enable them to pursue graduate degrees and careers in the sciences. Velay Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend. Students can expect a full-time, intensive undergraduate research experience under the mentorship of a CUNY ASRC researcher, with studies varying according to their mentor s research focus and projects. The program provides significant experience in STEM research from top-tier CUNY research mentors and professional development specifically catered to careers in research.

Program

Organizer: City University of New York
Host: City University of New York
Timeframe: Summer 2025, ending with a symposium on August 7, 2025
Duration: 70 days
Locations: North America, United States, New York City
Study Areas: Life Sciences & Biology, Medical & Health Sciences, Natural Sciences
Specific Fields: Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Genetics & Genomics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Neuroscience & Mental Health, Organismal & Environmental Biology, Physics

Application

Deadline:
  • March 21, 2025
Criteria: Applicants must be CUNY undergraduates completing their sophomore or junior year. CUNY community college students with at least 30 credits at the time of application are also eligible.
Target Degree: Bachelor
Required Document:
  1. Letter of Recommendation (1 required, 2 optional)

Costs & Contact

Stipend: $5,000 stipend
Cost: No cost
Contact: veer.shetty@cuny.edu
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