Often, SURF participants are given a stipend to cover living expenses for the duration of the project.
Many colleges give students the option to carry out a one or two semester senior research project, also under the SURF banner.
Majors in a department follow a core of course requirements intended to gradually introduce students to the research process.
By following this core, undergraduates reach their senior year adequately prepared for meaningful, independent research.
A distinctive element of many SURF experiences is that the project results in a written thesis defended before a faculty panel in the presence of the department and students.