Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (CU SPUR)

Undergraduate CU Boulder engineering and applied science students in the CU SPUR program earn hourly wages (currently $16/hr) while engaging in research with college faculty and graduate students. Positions are advertised in late February, and applications are accepted through the end of March for positions for the upcoming summer term.

You may work up to 300 hours in these positions over 10 weeks. You must be available for the entire 10-week program, which generally runs from early June to early August. You will also attend several mandatory seminars, and all CU SPUR students present a PowerPoint presentation at the end of the 10 weeks.

News & Events

TBA

Overview

Program Details

Timeline

  • Project list released:ÌýFeb. 13
  • Watch ""
  • Deadline to apply: CLOSED
  • Students notified of decision:ÌýApril 8
  • Summer 2024Ìýprogram dates:ÌýMay 28Ìý- Aug. 2

CU SPUR project list 2024

  • Be in Good Academic Standing in the College of Engineering and Applied Science to apply for a position
  • Degree-seeking students should be meeting CU cumulative, semesterÌýand major GPAs of at leastÌý2.0
  • CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science student
  • Must be a current or continuing student
    • StudentsÌýgraduating in MayÌýare not eligible

Application review will not begin until the application deadline closes, so take your time to submit your application.ÌýPrior CU SPUR and/or prior DLA students are not eligible to participate. Our goal is to get new students into labs, so if you are currently working in a lab, you are not eligilbe to apply for a project in that lab. Please read the descriptions carefully andÌýmake sure you meet all the requirements for each position.

  • Submit a resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for each project you apply for, even ifÌýa faculty member recommended you for theÌýposition
  • Attend an introductory meeting during the first week of the program
  • Complete "Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct" and "Reseponsible Conduct of Research" online training modules
  • Work as directed by faculty member and/or graduate student mentor. Make aÌýgood-faith effort to work 30 hours per week duringÌýthe summer
  • Attend four bi-weekly seminarsÌý
  • Attend your practice presentation, final presentation, and final presentations for ten other students
  • CompleteÌýsurveys regarding yourÌýexperiences in the program
  • Choose the positions you're interested in
  • Fill out the CU SPUR application
  • Submit a professional cover letter and resume, detailing your qualifications for the research positions

All students who are in Good Academic Standing in CEASÌýwill be emailed a link with the application. If you think you qualify, but didn't get the email, please email Sharon Anderson.Ìý

  • Respond in your cover letter to any requirements mentioned in the project listing. For instance,Ìýif the project says you must have taken Material and Energy Balance, include that in your cover letter.
  • Select a diversity of projects. Be sure they are ones of interest to you, but try not toÌýselect three from one faculty member,Ìýas we may not give more than one student toÌýeach professor.
  • Select five projects. If you are only interested in one or two, don’tÌýapply for ones that are not interesting to you, but applying to fiveÌýwill allow maximum flexibility when considering you for a position.
  • Contact the professor offering the projectÌýto learn more about it and see if it is a good match. If youÌýask relevantÌýquestions andÌýmake a good impression, the faculty member may ask for you.Ìý
  • If you accept another position for the summer after applying, please notify Sharon AndersonÌýto remove your application from consideration.
  • No housing or travel allowances are provided for this program.

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