The TEAM-UP Together Undergraduate Research Fellowship (TURF) Program aims to extend research opportunities to undergraduate physics and astronomy students facing the starkest barriers to success in these fields - including African American students - who have limited or no research experience by providing support for critical research training and skill development that positions them for success in higher education or the workforce.
Program Objectives
Expand access to research experiences for students—especially upper-level undergraduates planning to pursue STEM careers and those who have not previously participated in research, or have limited experience.
Develop students’ research skills and competencies aligned with academic and career advancement, and long-term success.
Increase student persistence in physics and astronomy and improve graduation outcomes.
Strengthen departmental capacity to engage more undergraduates in meaningful, skill-building research experiences.
Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding is utilized. Applicants should use the following dates as guidelines after which applications will be reviewed:
- Deadline 1 - February 6
- Deadline 2 - February 20
Eligibility & Criteria
Research mentor/student pairs apply for student research funding. Research mentors will be required to attest that other sources of funding are not available to fund the undergraduate student’s academic year research. Research mentors may only support one student in this program per academic year or summer, but may work with other undergraduates supported by other funding. Students will be supported for one academic year or summer. However, this is subject to change based on available funding.
Research Mentors
Must be a scientist (faculty, working scientists, research staff, or postdoc) working in physics, astronomy, or a related field at an institution of higher education, in industry, or at a national laboratory (or US-government funded equivalent) in the United States.
Must be currently conducting research or have a solid research project outlined and have the capacity to work with and support the educational experience of an undergraduate student.
Must agree to participate in a research mentor training course once developed by TEAM-UP Together or its Lead Partners.
Must not have other funding sources to support the research activities of the student (Note: research mentors may work with and support other undergraduates with other funding).
Mentors are expected to engage with the students at least weekly to guide the research, mentor the student, and ensure the deliverables/milestones are met.
Students
Must be physics or astronomy undergraduate majors. Other closely related majors may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students interested in careers in physics, astronomy or other STEM fields will be prioritized.
Must be enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education or have graduated just prior to the summer research program (if research will be conducted during the summer).
Students with research experience are welcome to apply, however, students who have not had an undergraduate research internship or fellowship will be prioritized.
All eligible undergrads and and recent graduates from the spring before planned summer research can participate; however students facing the starkest barriers to success as well as those who are closer to graduation (upper-level) will be prioritized.
Students must permanently reside in the US and describe how their career plans will contribute to their local community in the US or the US scientific enterprise.
Students are expected to engage with their mentors at least weekly to receive guidance and discuss their research.
Students are expected to participate in a TEAM-UP Together virtual symposium to share their research experience.
TEAM-UP Together Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The TEAM-UP Together Undergraduate Research Fellowship (TURF) Program aims to extend research opportunities to undergraduate physics and astronomy students facing the starkest barriers to success in these fields - including African American students - who have limited or no research experience by providing support for critical research training and skill development that positions them for success in higher education or the workforce.
Program Objectives
Expand access to research experiences for students—especially upper-level undergraduates planning to pursue STEM careers and those who have not previously participated in research, or have limited experience.
Develop students’ research skills and competencies aligned with academic and career advancement, and long-term success.
Increase student persistence in physics and astronomy and improve graduation outcomes.
Strengthen departmental capacity to engage more undergraduates in meaningful, skill-building research experiences.
Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding is utilized. Applicants should use the following dates as guidelines after which applications will be reviewed:
- Deadline 1 - February 6
- Deadline 2 - February 20
Eligibility & Criteria
Research mentor/student pairs apply for student research funding. Research mentors will be required to attest that other sources of funding are not available to fund the undergraduate student’s academic year research. Research mentors may only support one student in this program per academic year or summer, but may work with other undergraduates supported by other funding. Students will be supported for one academic year or summer. However, this is subject to change based on available funding.
Research Mentors
Must be a scientist (faculty, working scientists, research staff, or postdoc) working in physics, astronomy, or a related field at an institution of higher education, in industry, or at a national laboratory (or US-government funded equivalent) in the United States.
Must be currently conducting research or have a solid research project outlined and have the capacity to work with and support the educational experience of an undergraduate student.
Must agree to participate in a research mentor training course once developed by TEAM-UP Together or its Lead Partners.
Must not have other funding sources to support the research activities of the student (Note: research mentors may work with and support other undergraduates with other funding).
Mentors are expected to engage with the students at least weekly to guide the research, mentor the student, and ensure the deliverables/milestones are met.
Students
Must be physics or astronomy undergraduate majors. Other closely related majors may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students interested in careers in physics, astronomy or other STEM fields will be prioritized.
Must be enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education or have graduated just prior to the summer research program (if research will be conducted during the summer).
Students with research experience are welcome to apply, however, students who have not had an undergraduate research internship or fellowship will be prioritized.
All eligible undergrads and and recent graduates from the spring before planned summer research can participate; however students facing the starkest barriers to success as well as those who are closer to graduation (upper-level) will be prioritized.
Students must permanently reside in the US and describe how their career plans will contribute to their local community in the US or the US scientific enterprise.
Students are expected to engage with their mentors at least weekly to receive guidance and discuss their research.
Students are expected to participate in a TEAM-UP Together virtual symposium to share their research experience.