Summer Undergraduate Research in Energy and Sustainability (SURES)

This information is not updated for summer 2025

The SURES Program

The 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research in Energy and Sustainability (SURES) program is a ten-week program (May 28, 2024 to August 2, 2024). All SURES awardees are expected to be on-campus and participating in their projects during the entire 10-week program.  SURES awardees are expected to attend the 10-week SURES educational seminars on Thursdays.  SURES awardees receive $4000.00.  In addition, SURES will reimburse up to $500.00 for students who live in university or off-campus independent housing (i.e., not with their parents/relatives).  Participants must make their own housing arrangements.  Awardees may apply for a limited number of Undergraduate Research Office housing supplements (up to $1000 each).  Priority will be given to under-resourced students.

Background

Case Western Reserve University is a multi-disciplinary research intensive university with administration, faculty, staff, and students actively involved in issues of energy and sustainability across a breadth of disciplines. In its strategic plan and beyond, the university has committed financial resources to energy and the environment through The Great Lakes Energy Institute and Fowler Center for Sustainable Value, among others. The SURES program provides support for undergraduates to participate with faculty in research and engages students, staff, faculty, and community members in discussion and debate of energy issues. Students who participate in the program are better prepared to enter industry and business and make an impact early in their careers.

Eligibility

CWRU undergraduate students who are continuing as undergraduates at CWRU in Fall 2024 are eligible to apply to the SURES program. Award recipients must be registered for fall classes prior to beginning the summer project. Projects must be completed at CWRU and be under the supervision of a CWRU faculty member. Eligible faculty mentors include our affiliates at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, the VA Hospital, University Circle museums and other affiliated institutions.

Students who are awarded full-time research scholarships ($4,000) cannot enroll in more than one summer class per session for a maximum of 4 hours.  In addition, students cannot take certain physics courses that are specified in the SOURCE STEM and AHSS program summaries. If students wish to take one of these specified physics courses or enroll for more than 4 credit hours over the summer they must apply to the SOURCE STEM program as a part-time applicant. Any summer courses taken cannot interfere with your attendance at the seminar series and other summer activities. Please review the Undergraduate Research Summer Course Policy.

While students may apply for funding for different projects, students may not accept funding for 2 different projects (for example, students may not be part of both the CREATE and SURES programs). If you are accepted into more than one program, you must choose in which project you want to participate. However, faculty members are encouraged to supplement SURES funding with additional funding for supplies and stipend.

Application Procedure

Please note: Students cannot save and return to the online application.  It is necessary that students complete all application materials and have them available prior to beginning the online application.  

The online application consists of the following:

1. Completion of all required application questions.  You will need to know your project mentor's department and email.
2. A 3-5 page proposal (double- or single-spaced) that is written in your own writing.  Please do not copy and paste from your mentor's proposals.  Please include the following in your proposal:
   • First Page: Title Page - Your name, major, project title, 3 research descriptive key words, mentor's name, and department only on this first page
   • Following Pages (pages 2-4) - (a) Project background/overview, (b) significance/contribution of the research to the broader field, (c) objective or research questions, (d) comprehensive methodology, (e) time commitment required for the project, (f) connection with your educational and career goals, (g) information about how you are or have been involved in non-research related activities in energy and sustainability or your interest in energy and sustainability.
   • If your project involves human subjects that require IRB approval, you must include a section in your proposal about where you are in the IRB approval process.
   • Last Page - References (if applicable).
   • Please note: 5 pages maximum, including title page and references (if applicable).
3. Resume - Please include student groups and leadership activities.

Please format the proposal and resume as a .pdf.

Faculty Mentor Sponsor Form

Please see below.  Please note: faculty cannot submit their sponsor form until after students have submitted their application. 

Application Deadline

The application deadline is March 8 at 11:59 p.m.  An application is complete when both the student's and mentor's online applications are submitted.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed to confirm that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria. The selection committee will evaluate application files and identify recipients based on the strength and educational value of the proposal, the feasibility of the project, and the overall support of the faculty sponsor.

Funding Announcement

SOURCE will inform students about funding status on or before April 14, 2024.

Online Funding Application

Use the blue button below to access the summer funding application.

Summer Funding Application

Please note: faculty cannot submit their sponsor form until after students have submitted their application. Applicants cannot access this form. Please provide your faculty mentor with the link to this page along with your 7 digit student ID number and CWRU network ID. If your faculty mentor does not have CWRU network access, please email source@case.edu and provide your faculty mentor's email. SOURCE will email the form to your project mentor.

An application is considered complete when both the online application and the Faculty Mentor Sponsor Form are submitted.