SURF for Interdisciplinary Teams (SURF IT)

We strongly urge you to take several steps before you write your proposal and complete your application. Some homework up front will minimize confusion at deadline time and will increase your chances of success! These steps are:

1. Review the information in these guidelines for detailed information about the program and the application process.  

2. Identify team members from different disciplines (and ideally different colleges).  The goal will be to identify student peers with similar interests for a shared research project, but also students who will bring different disciplinary perspectives, knowledge, and skills for achieving the project objectives.

3. Make sure all team members are eligible. To be considered for the Hamel Center’s SURF IT program, each team member must be enrolled full-time in a UNH or UNHM baccalaureate degree program; must be at least sophomore status (in second year of full-time college coursework); must have a minimum UNH GPA of 3.0 at the time of application; and must be returning to campus for at least one more semester (with a minimum enrollment of eight credits) following the research summer. (Transfer students must have completed at least one full-time semester at UNH or UNHM at the time of application, with a minimum 3.0 GPA earned from UNH/UNHM courses.)

4. Identify at least two UNH faculty mentors for your research team.  Each SURF IT project team must have a minimum of two (2) UNH faculty mentors.  Mentors must be from different departments, but preference is for mentors from different colleges. All tenure-track, research, clinical, and extension faculty are eligible to mentor a SURF IT project.  Student teams should direct their mentors to the SURF IT Faculty Mentors Memo link at the bottom of the SURF IT webpage.

5. Meet with your mentors as a team to talk about the following questions:

• Is your research topic or research question sufficiently clear and well-focused?
• What additional materials should your team read to increase your knowledge of what has already be done on the topic?
• What sources/resources will your team need to use for this topic?
• What specific steps must your team take to investigate and carry out your project?
• What background/skill sets will your team need in order to complete those steps?
• How should your team plan to prepare further for the project during the spring semester,  before the summer project begins?
• How much time will this project require (both length of time and hours per week, depending on the number of team members)?

6. Meet with the Hamel Center director, Dr. Paul Robertson (paul.robertson@unh.edu) no later than February 5, 2025.  Before meeting with Dr. Robertson, students must have identified their research team and must have a firm commitment from at least two UNH faculty mentors. Applications submitted by students who have not met with the Hamel Center faculty director in advance will not be accepted.

7. Ask your faculty mentors to review your proposal draft. Be sure to allow sufficient time for your mentors’ review and comments before the deadline.

8. Secure a joint letter of support from your UNH faculty mentors.  The “SURF IT Mentors Joint Letter of Support” form can be found with the SURF IT application materials online.  Complete the top portion of the form and give it to your UNH faculty mentors as soon as possible.   

9. Secure a letter of recommendation from a UNH faculty member for each student team member.  In addition to a joint letter of support from your faculty mentors, each student member of the team will need an individual letter of recommendation from a UNH faculty member who is not one of your team mentors.  Complete and sign the top portion of the “SURF IT Faculty Recommendation Form” and give it to your individual faculty recommenders as soon as possible.  The form can be found with the SURF IT application materials online.

10. Determine if your project will require approval from a University review committee.  Certain types of research are subject to federal regulations and University guidelines. For example, any projects involving interviews, surveys or questionnaires – i.e., all having to do with human subjects – must receive approval from UNH’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) before the research begins.  Similarly, research involving vertebrate animals, infectious agents, DEA controlled substances, lasers, x-rays, hazardous chemicals, radioactive materials, carcinogenic material, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, NMR/superconducting magnets, and/or patents and copyrights must receive approval from the appropriate University review committee before the research begins.  If you have questions about how to obtain research approval, talk with your faculty mentors or a Hamel Center staff member.  You do not need to submit written evidence of this approval with your SURF IT application; however, if you are granted an award, the Hamel Center must receive confirmation of approval from the appropriate University review committee before dispensing your award money.  So, it is in your best interest to begin the approval process before or at the time of your application.  Read more about responsible conduct of research here.

The project proposal is the most important part of the application. To prepare a competitive proposal, students should follow the Proposal Outline carefully – using the subheadings indicated below – and adhere closely to the formatting guidelines. Answer all of the following questions fully but concisely: be succinct.

Students are expected to collaborate as a team when writing the SURF IT proposal. Students are also expected to write the proposal themselves, in its entirety.  Of course, students should consult with their mentors before writing the proposal and ask their mentors to critique it once they have written a draft.  Even with mentor input, however, the final proposal should reflect the students’ own work. Students should allow sufficient time for revision.

Proposal Outline

[Page 1]

Title page:

• Program for which you are applying (SURF IT)
• Project Title
• Student Team Members: name, major, and college of each
• Faculty Mentors: name, department, and college of each
• Research Location(s):  principal location of project work; other research sites to which you will travel

[Page 2]

Project Summary (one page maximum, single-spaced)

1. Abstract (200 words maximum): concisely summarize your project and its goals
2. Outcomes (list 2-5, one bullet point each): e.g. report, database, results of quantitative/qualitative/textual analysis, paper, thesis, presentation, production, exhibition, film, article submitted for conference or publication, etc.; include at least one outcome stating how this project contributes to your personal or academic goals in your field
3. Timetable (one line or row per week maximum): using bullet points or a table, list your planned research activities and specific goals for each week of the project, including individual and team components (i.e., who is involved in each activity)

Note: A successful SURF IT project will require a substantial amount of time, effort, energy, and focus to complete. The estimated research plan or timetable should anticipate 10 weeks of full-time research.

[Pages 3-4]

Project Background (two pages maximum, single-spaced)

1. Project History and Significance (two paragraphs maximum, 1-2 sentences each):

• general problem, theme, or issue to be addressed 
• most relevant previous research, scholarship, or artistry on this topic – integrating the disciplines represented by your team
• project’s specific question, hypothesis, or objective
• why a team-based, integrated interdisciplinary approach is necessary to achieve the intended research outcome(s)
• wider implications of your project to the problem and to your team members’ combined fields

2. Approach and Methodology (two paragraphs maximum, 1-2 sentences each):

• the combined disciplinary approach (methods, procedures, theories, or lines of thinking and/or creating) your team will use to address your research topic
• material and sources your team will need to pursue your project
• how your team will analyze, interpret, and/or evaluate your findings, and how the mode(s) of analysis will enable your team to arrive at a unified conclusion
• foreseeable challenges, obstacles, or difficulties – and how your team is prepared to address them

3. My Role/Preparation/Experience (two paragraphs maximum, 1-2 sentences each):

• preparation and qualifications of each team member to undertake the project (e.g., previous coursework, jobs, extracurricular experiences, other research or training)
• your plans for further preparing yourselves before undertaking the project, prior to the start date – including plans to enhance team success
• the unique role of each student on the project, as compared to the role of your faulty mentors and others (graduate students, technicians, collaborators)
• the plans your student team and your mentors have made to communicate on a regular basis during the research period (e.g., how, where, and how often the team members will interact, share information, and make decisions throughout the project)

[Appendices] 

• Statement of Previous Hamel Center-Funded Research (one paragraph maximum per award): Students who have received Hamel Center funds previously (e.g., REAP, Undergraduate Research Award, SURF, IROP) must submit a brief statement  that includes the following information: 1) Hamel Center grant received, 2) Project Title, 3) Faculty Mentor, 4) project dates, 5) a brief description of how the current proposed research extends and/or differs from research previously funded by the Hamel Center, including how the results of that former research might inform the research now being proposed (if applicable).
• Illustrations, diagrams, or other visuals as necessary
• One- to two-page bibliography of primary and secondary sources that you will use toward this project (e.g., books, journal articles, films, interviews, media sources, master classes). Be sure that all sources which you consulted in preparing the proposal are cited in the proposal text and listed in the bibliography. Format the in-text citations and bibliography according to the style guidelines for your discipline. 
• Surveys, questionnaires, and interview questions, if these are part of your research

Proposal Format and Style   

The proposal should: 

• be typed and single spaced, using Times New Roman 12-point font (black) 
• have one-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)  
• be no more than 4 pages long using the guidelines above – this length excludes the appendices
• follow the Proposal Outline carefully, using clear subheadings (as above) for each section 
• include definitions of words specific to your field or research, if faculty members outside your field are not likely to be familiar with them.  Note: In general, you should keep in mind that Faculty Review Committee members represent a range of disciplines, so your proposal should be written in a way that can be understood by an educated reader who is not necessarily a specialist in your field.    
• Save your proposal as a PDF to be uploaded to the online application portal.  Use this naming format, listing as many student last names as are on your team (from 2-4 names):  Lastname_Lastname_Lastname_Lastname_SURF IT_Proposal 

Working together, teams should complete and submit one budget form, indicating the total amount requested for team stipends and expense funds. Please review the following instructions before completing the Budget Form.

Stipends:

Enter the requested amount for each individual team member, based on the following guidelines:

• 2 students ($8,000 total):  $4,000 per student for a minimum of 35 hours per week for 10 weeks
• 3 students ($11,000 total):   $3,600 per student for a minimum of 30 hours per week for 10 weeks
• 4 students ($13,000 total):   $3,250 per student for a minimum of 25 hours per week for 10 weeks

*The guidelines above assume equal commitment/contribution from each team member. In cases of varying commitment, please consult the Hamel Center director. No one team member may receive a stipend of more than $4,000 per project.

Research Expenses:

Following the guidelines for Supplies, Travel, Other Expenses, and Permanent Equipment below, enter the requested research expenses for the team. The total team budget for research expenses should fit within the following limits:

• 2 students (up to $1,200 total max.)
• 3 students (up to $1,700 total max.)
• 4 students (up to $2,000 total max.)

In consultation with your Faculty Mentors, determine as accurately as you can your estimated expenses.  List each item and its exact cost per unit, and briefly note its importance to your project. Identify the most critical items in your budget. Expense awards only cover costs directly related to the completion of your project. They do not cover the cost of copying your thesis or research paper, or costs associated with presenting your research, such as research posters. 

Note: The Hamel Center may not be able to fund all your project expenses. It is understood that the budget represents your best estimate of the costs. Your budget should represent the total amount without which your project will not be possible.  If this total exceeds the limits above, please use the “Contributions from Other Sources” chart on p. 2 of the Budget Form to indicate the sources (including personal) from which the remaining expenses will be drawn.    

• Supplies: These include, but are not limited to: note-taking supplies (e.g. paper/notebooks, pens/pencils), art supplies, supplies for lab or field work (e.g. chemicals, lab animals, etc.).  You should provide the exact cost of each item. If you are ordering supplies from a company off-campus, be sure to include the cost of shipping and handling. 

• Travel Expenses: Travel using a personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the IRS Standard mileage rate in effect at the time of travel. The current rate is available at 07-002 Website for Travel References. Compute mileage for travel by car based on this rate. Include only those travel expenses related to the completion of your project. Please take note of these particular guidelines: 
  • For summer research, travel expenses may include commuting from your summer residence to your research site(s). These may include sites on the UNH campus or off campus (e.g., libraries, archives, museums, and the field). Where possible, you are strongly encouraged to consider public transportation, which is often cheaper.   
  • If UNH will be your primary summer research site, your travel expenses may include a $50 summer parking pass.   
  • Travel expenses may not include food/lodging expenses (e.g., if a hotel stay is necessary during research).   
  • If you wish to present the results of your research at a professional conference or meeting, there is a separate Research Presentation Grant for which you may apply after your research is complete.
• Other Expenses: This category refers to any expenses in the following areas – photocopies, postage, special fees for access to research sites, fees for instrument time, or services rendered – along with any expenses that might not be covered within the other categories. Most of these items should be calculated by the number needed for your research project and the cost for each. For example, 100 photocopies multiplied by 10 cents each will give you the total amount of $10 needed by you. For “services rendered,” you should contact the person or department where the work will be done for an estimate of the cost.
• Permanent Equipment: While the Hamel Center is willing to provide support for permanent equipment necessary to your research project, we may request that your home department share the cost of such equipment. Non-expendable items purchased with SURF funds (e.g., books, computer software, music recordings/sheet music, electronics, mechanical equipment, durable lab equipment) are University property and must be returned to the University once the project is complete. Please take note of these particular guidelines:    
  • Software: The Hamel Center will approve the cost of software only in special instances, and where the student provides a clear rationale for needing to purchase the software – as opposed to accessing the software through other University resources. Several software applications (including SPSS) are available for use at no cost by the entire campus through a central UNH network license. Faculty and students can access these licensed applications through their own personal computers or through the campus-wide computer clusters. Thus, students who are requesting Hamel Center grant funds to support the cost of software must include in their application a clear explanation of why the purchase of software is necessary to the success of the research project.  For more information about UNH Academic Software Applications available through network license, see https://td.usnh.edu/TDClient/KB/ArticleDet?ID=770   
  • Books:  If you include books among your expenses, you must verify that these books are not available through the UNH Library system, including Inter-Library Loan (ILL) and the Boston Library Consortium (BLC).  See www.library.unh.edu for more information. 
• Save your Budget as a PDF to be uploaded to the online application portal.  Use this naming format, listing as many student last names as are on your team (from 2-4 names):  Lastname_Lastname_Lastname_Lastname_SURF IT_Budget

Designate one representative team member to complete and sign the top portion of the SURF IT Faculty Mentors Joint Letter of Support form before giving it to your UNH faculty mentors. This should be the same team member who will submit your team application online, as the UNH ID# for that team representative will connect this letter to your application. 

Give the signed form to your mentors well in advance of the application deadline.  Your mentors will be responsible for uploading the form and their letter to the online portal no later than the application deadline. 

Each student team member should complete the top portion of the SURF IT Faculty Recommendation Form and give the form to their individual UNH faculty recommender well in advance of the application deadline.  Your faculty recommender will be responsible for uploading the form and their letter of recommendation to the online portal no later than the application deadline.

The Hamel Center’s Faculty Advisory Committee reviews all applications. Each proposal is read by at least three faculty reviewers drawn from departments in CEPS, CHHS, COLA, COLSA, and PAUL.  An application may receive a maximum of 25 points from each reviewer.

1. Quality of the Proposal: 12 points

• Is the proposal well written, well defined, convincing?
• Is the proposal complete? Are all parts clearly explained in accordance with the proposal outline?
• Does the proposal provide a compelling justification/rationale for why a team-based, interdisciplinary approach is needed for the project?
• Does the proposal adequately describe the interdisciplinary integration of the team toward shared project goals/objectives?
• Is the proposal understandable to a general, educated reader who is not a specialist in the research fields represented by the team?
• Is the project manageable and appropriate for the SURF IT time frame (i.e., anticipating 10 weeks of full-time research)?

2. Qualifications and Preparation of the Applicants: 5 points

• Does each student on the team possess sufficient disciplinary background/experience/ preparation to conduct the research?
• Does the proposal adequately describe how the team members will interact, share information, and make decisions? Does the proposal demonstrate the ability of the team to work together and/or include plans to strengthen team success?

3. Appropriateness of the Budget: 2 points

• Is the budget itemized?
• Is it clear why the items are necessary to the project?

4. Faculty Letters: 6 points  

• Do the students – both individually and collectively – have the necessary preparation to undertake the project in the allotted time period?
• Do the students demonstrate the ability to work together and function well as a team?
• Does the project have relevance to a real-world problem and also educational value for the students? 
• Is there a strong relationship between the students’ proposed project and the UNH mentors’ own research/scholarly/creative work or areas of expertise?
• Will the student team receive adequate support from the UNH mentor team during the summer research period?

In addition to the expectation that your team will conduct/complete the research project proposed in your application, the SURF IT award comes with the following requirements:

1. Final Report: one team-written report describing your project and your findings (~2000 words).
2. Final Evaluation: to be completed electronically by each of you individually and by each of your faculty mentors.  
3. Letter of Appreciation: to be written by your team to your sponsoring donor(s).
4. Presentation of Research: presentation of your research results in an appropriate forum (e.g., to a class, to department majors and/or faculty, at an on- or off-campus conference). UNH’s Undergraduate Research Conference, held each spring, offers an excellent opportunity for presenting your research.  

SURF IT students are also encouraged to consider publishing a research brief, commentary, or article in Inquiry, UNH’s online undergraduate research journal, and/or to contribute to the Hamel Center’s Undergraduate Research Blog.