The Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers Randolph-Macon College students the unique opportunity to conduct nine weeks of full-time research during the summer, under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Each summer, SURF allows students to delve deeply into an original research question and benefit from one-on-one interactions with faculty mentors who support them throughout all steps of the process, from formulating a hypothesis to the culminating presentation of their work.

Alumni often cite their SURF experience as instrumental in exposing them to focused, professional research and writing. SURF participants gain experience that is often reserved for graduate students at other institutions, which prepares them for success in graduate school and the professions.

Applications open February 12

SURF 2026 Dates

Monday, June 1 through Friday, July 31, 2026

FELLOWSHIP Expectations and Requirements

Students must be available for 40 hours per week for the duration of the program, and cannot be absent for vacation or personal matters during this period. Part-time jobs should be restricted to after business hours.

Fellowship recipients complete a final written report by July 31, 2026 and present their findings/conclusions in a celebratory SURF symposium on July 31. Students are further encouraged to present at the following years’ annual Student Symposium of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work in May.

To Apply

To be considered, a student must identify an RMC faculty member as mentor and research advisor. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply!

Rising juniors and seniors are given priority, but students from all levels are welcome. All strong applications will be considered, with preference for students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Submit a completed proposal by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026 via email attachment to jillianjones@rmc.edu. Faculty advisors MUST review proposals prior to submission.

Proposal requirements

Faculty reviewers will evaluate proposals. Notifications to students and mentors will be made by March 27.