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Why Participate in SURE?

Andrew Buendia talking with 2 people.

Research skills. Mentorship. Presentation skills. Community. As part of UM-Dearborn's Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), you'll find that it's not just a job in a research lab - it's about being mentored by a faculty member one-on-one and becoming an active participant in their research project.

SURE students receive a stipend of $3200 paid in installments during the 8 -12 weeks of the program (about 15-20 hours/week), with the final installment following successful completion of the showcase presentation.*

SURE faculty researchers generally recruit an individual student directly based on their skills and interests; opportunities to apply for openings on a particular project may also be posted on the SURE homepage after the projects are selected towards the middle of April. SURE sponsors research projects across all four colleges (CASL, CECS, CEHHS, and COB) covering a range of different disciplines and methodologies, and representing the diversity of research activities taking place on our campus.

While your mentoring relationship is one-to-one, SURE participants are also part of a cohort that regularly engages in both professional development workshops and fun social activities together throughout the summer. At the end of the program, SURE students present their research to the community at a research showcase held in the fall.

Student Participant Requirements:

  • Current UM-Dearborn undergraduate student who will graduate December 2025 or after and has not participated in a previous SURE program
  • Attend the SURE kickoff meeting in May.
  • Participate in 4 of several student professional development sessions on various topics offered throughout the summer
  • Present at the SURE Showcase in September.
  • Complete two surveys (one in May and one in September).

 

*For stipends and other funds not tied to employment (e.g., stipends received as part of participating in SURE), the university does not report the stipend on a federal or state form and does not withhold any taxes. This does NOT relieve the recipient from the obligation of reporting these amounts on his/her individual income tax returns and paying the tax liability on the taxable portion of the stipend.