Founded in 1992 by Dr. Gary May, a former Dean of the Georgia Tech College of Engineering, the Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering/Sciences (S.U.R.E.) program is committed to increasing the number of qualified students who are traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. These include but are not limited to students from racial/ethnic minority groups, women, or first generation college students. 

SURE tour photo

2021 Dates

January 15, 2021
Applications Open

March 1, 2021
Application Deadline

April 2, 2021
Decisions-on or before

May 24-July 30, 2021
2020 Program Dates

SURE

Impact

Since that time, the SURE program has experienced some significant results.

According to the findings of the 2009-2011 post-program surveys the participants observed significant gains in:

  • Understanding what everyday research is like (71%)
  • Planning and preparing for graduate school (64%)
  • Understanding the theory and concepts that guided their research (64%)
  • Confidence in their ability to do well in future technical/scientific courses (59%)
  • Identifying limitations of research methods and designs (56%)
  • Using problem solving skills in the research process

Over 500 students have participated in SURE since its inception and:

  • 75% of them ultimately attended graduate school, either for a master’s degree or a PhD.
  • Half of those who attended graduate school did so at Georgia Tech.

A few stats about the 2019 SURE cohort:

  • 40 student researchers from across the country
  • 280 applications
  • $11,000 cost per student 
  • 50% women and 70% URM
  • 3.47 average cum GPA/3.52 average major GPA
  • 12 graduate student social mentors
  • 40 graduate student research mentors
  • 3 Graduate Coordinators
  • Two industry tours and four SURE sponsored social events
  • One GRE Prep course
  • Currently ~25 SURE alumni enrolled in graduate programs at GT