Summer/Semester Undergraduate Research Experience Program (SURE)
Limited submission
SURE funds immersive STEM research opportunities for undergraduates in West Virginia, fostering research skills, graduate study pathways, and campus research capacity.
Funder: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Division of Science and Research
Due Dates: October 16, 2026: Proposal Deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to $75,000 per year for up to 3 years; 5–6 awards expected annually; total annual pool ~$300,000.
Summary: Supports West Virginia colleges in providing immersive STEM research experiences for undergraduates to build research capacity and foster graduate study pathways.
Description
The Summer/Semester Undergraduate Research Experience Program (SURE) is designed to expand research opportunities for undergraduate students in STEM fields at West Virginia's four-year colleges and universities. Administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Division of Science and Research (STaR Division), the program provides block grants to institutions to support undergraduate participation in faculty-mentored research, either at their home campus or through collaborations with other research organizations. The goal is to increase STEM research capacity, encourage students to pursue graduate studies, and strengthen the state's research infrastructure.
Institutions must develop and implement strategic plans that integrate SURE into their research landscape, build campus-wide undergraduate research networks, and align with broader state research priorities. Emphasis is placed on engaging underrepresented and first-generation students, supporting student stipends, and fostering connections to graduate programs and competitive scholarships.
