Walter Scott, Jr. Gift
Hands-on undergraduate research opportunities
The Scott Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is a unique program that pairs first- and second-year engineering students with faculty mentors to engage in meaningful, hands on, research that will help students better understand the types of problems engineers face and how to solve them.
SURE Spotlight
Electrical engineering SURE student, Elias Faughn, dives into the world of lasers and nuclear fusion energy.
Benefits of participating in SURE
All students are first- or second-year undergraduate engineering majors with varying backgrounds, strengths, and knowledge. No research experience is required as SURE faculty mentors guide students throughout the semester.
- Learning how classroom work applies to real world issues
- Mentoring by faculty and graduate students
- Getting paid to do engineering work
- Learning about direct engineering applications
Donor Support
The SURE program is made possible by support from alumni and donors. Visit our college Giving page if you are interested in supporting this program.
• • •
SURE Poster Fair
Every spring semester
The Scott Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) culminates every April with a poster fair, where students showcase their research to industry professionals, donors, university/college leadership, faculty/staff, and family and friends.
• • •
Key program details
A matching fair is held so eligible students can meet with faculty to understand the research opportunities available.
Any student who believes they are eligible for SURE but does not receive an email invitation should contact Cody Dozier, Scott Scholars Event & Program Coordinator.
Students and faculty mentors will be matched in the fall, and research work will start in the spring semester.
Our goal is to match all students who apply to SURE with a research opportunity.
If we have more apply than available research positions, some students may not be placed. We will work with any students not placed to find other potential research options.
SURE culminates with a poster fair and celebration at the end of the spring semester
Apply for the
SURE Program
The Scott Undergraduate Research Experience matches approximately 50 – 70 students with engineering research projects each year. Eligible students are encouraged to attend the SURE Information Session and Matching Fair in mid-fall to learn more about the program and application process.
Eligibility requirements
- First- or second-year undergraduate student
- Declared engineering major (any engineering major)
- Scott Scholar (ie. recipient of the Walter Scott, Jr. Undergraduate Scholarship)OR
first-generation student
Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply for the SURE program via their @colostate.edu email in early/mid-fall.
Students who are not Scott Scholars nor first-generation may still apply, their applications will be placed on a waitlist and may be considered if there is space available.
Application process
Attend the SURE Information Session and Matching Fair.
Students will learn about the program, expectations, and application process, then have the opportunity to explore available research projects by speaking with faculty mentors and GRAs.
Submit the SURE application online.
The application allows students to share their interest and experience with research (note: no experience is required), describe their method of approaching a problem and their strengths, and indicate the research projects they are most interested in.
Accepted students only – attend the SURE Kickoff Meeting.
During the meeting students will learn about how to accept their SURE position and next steps. Students will also meet with their faculty mentor/GRA to discuss their project and schedule.
Accepted students only – accept the SURE position and complete hiring paperwork.
After students confirm their acceptance of their SURE position they will be required to complete hiring paperwork in order to start working in the spring.
Frequently asked Questions
Do students get paid for working in the research lab?
Yes
I am not a Scott Scholar or a first-generation student, can I still apply?
Yes
Do I need research experience to apply?
No
What type of research projects are there?
As an R1 research institution, there is a lot of research being done across campus and within the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. The types of research projects offered by SURE vary from year-to-year depending on which faculty are hosting SURE students. You can view the most recent research projects on our SURE Poster Fair webpage.
Other questions? Contact our staff.
Contact the Scott Scholars Program Team via email at scottscholars@colostate.edu.