Education

Frequently Asked Questions - Summer 2012
NDnano Undergraduate Research Fellowships (NURF)

 

Is the NURF program open to students outside of Notre Dame?
Yes, we welcome applications from undegraduate students at any university in the U.S. or abroad. The program is not open to master's or PhD students.

How many Fellowships will be awarded?
In 2012, about 30 students will be awarded Fellowships.

Does the Fellowship include housing and meals for the summer? Or transportation to the University?
No. Fellowship recipients will receive a $5,000 stipend over the course of the summer. NDnano does not arrange or cover the cost of transportation to the University, housing or meals. Students can live off-campus, or on-campus housing and meal plans are available. See http://www.nd.edu/~sumsess/

What are the dates of the fellowship?
For the 2012 program, students may start their research as early as May 14 or work as late as August 10. Fellowship recipients will determine the exact dates of their research in conjunction with their faculty mentor.

How many hours per week will I work?
The NDnano fellowships are full-time (40 hours/week). Students will set their work schedule with their faculty mentor.

Can I have another on-campus job if I'm part of the NURF program?
The University allows students to work a maximum of 40 hours per week during the summer (all campus jobs combined).

Can I take classes during the summer session while doing research?
Yes, as long as it is approved by your NURF faculty mentor. In some cases, you may need to work additional days if you are not able to work full time while taking a class.

I'm a student at a university outside the U.S. If I'm awarded a Fellowship, will I need a visa?
Yes, you will need a visa in order to receive the stipend. NDnano will assist with the visa process for students who are awarded a Fellowship. Also, if you don't already have a passport, you should apply for one as soon as possible.

Are there other activities included in the NURF program besides research?
In the past, NDnano has planned a welcome luncheon for the NURF students and their faculty mentors, once all the students are on board. In addition, faculty members have conducted workshops on library use, presentation skills, and creating posters. Fellowship recipients will also be part of Notre Dame's summer undergraduate research community. As such, they will be included in all activities planned by the Center for Undergradate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE). In 2011, this included a GRE workshop, tour of the ND football stadium, and trip to King's Island, to name a few. NURF students will also be invited to participate in the undergraduate research symposium held in late July or early August.

Have additional questions? Feel free to contact Heidi Deethardt at deethardt.1@nd.edu

Thank you for your interest in NDnano!

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02.07.12