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Student Research

Summer Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

Purpose

Funded by the University of Washington Morell Endowment and the UW School of Dentistry Office of Research, the Summer Research Fellowship (SURF) Program offers an opportunity for UW School of Dentistry students to work on a research project under the direction of a faculty member. A stipend and allowance for research expenses is provided.

What is Offered?

  • Opportunity to work on a research project under the direction of a faculty member.
  • Stipend ($4,000 for 2025) + $500 allowance for research expenses.
  • Students making a presentation at a national meeting may also receive an allowance for travel to the meeting if selected based on their papers.
  • Opportunity to work with faculty member to publish results of project in a scholarly journal.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Dental students in good academic standing at the University of Washington (including entering students).

Students who have previously successfully participated in the SURF program. Successful completion of SURF defined as 1) submitted paper, 2) presented at Research Day, and 3) recommendation by SURF mentor to participate again.

Who is Not Eligible?

Students with heavy clinical obligations during the summer.

Time Involved

Three months full time equivalent spread between March – December.

Conditions and Explanations

  • The SURF Program is the principal research opportunity for dental students.
  • Application Procedure: a) students discuss research opportunities with faculty preceptor; b) student and preceptor submit a letter of intent and write a proposal; c) proposals are submitted early December.; d) proposals are reviewed for suitability by Research Advisory Committee; e) fellowship awards announced by early March.
  • Students conduct all aspects of research: literature review, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of the results.
  • Students participate in a seminar on Research Design and Methods (DENTEL 530 – Research Methods Seminar)*. Students’ own projects are used as examples for discussion.
  • Elective Credits: 6 elective credits are awarded for the research project, 1 credit for the seminar.
  • Students write an abstract of their project and give a presentation at Research Day, January 29, 2025.
  • A written report describing results of the research project must be submitted to the Office of Research at dentres@uw.edu by December 12, 2025.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to work with their mentor to publish the results of their project in a scholarly journal.

*Students who are participating in the SURF program more than once are not required to complete DENTEL 530 – Research Methods Seminar after year one.

Resources

Submit an application

2025 SURF Application Fillable (PDF)

First time applications must be submitted via pdf file to dentres@uw.edu by December 6, 2024.

2025 SURF Recurring Application (PDF)

Recurring SURF applications must be submitted as a single pdf file to dentres@uw.edu by February 9, 2025.

For additional information contact: dentres@uw.edu.

SURF Mentors

Please consider becoming a mentor to a SURF student. More information is available in this video (UWNETID required to view). If you are interested, please ensure your information is up to date on the Faculty Research Interests page (updates can be sent to dentres@uw.edu) or send information about a project you would like to work on to include in the Potential Projects List (see list in resources section).