SURP Finding a Supervisor

All students interested are responsible for finding their own SURP supervisor before submitting an application.

We understand that the search for a supervisor can be confusing and intimidating. The information on this page is designed to help guide you in initiating a search for a SURP supervisor.

We recommend that students contact supervisors early. Supervisors often start to accept students for a summer program in December. Click the box below to see a list of IMS faculty members who are accepting SURP students for Summer 2026.

What to Consider When Reaching out to a Potential Supervisor

1. Determine your research interest
   • this will help you to narrow down which faculty members you are interested in working with
   • look through the Supervisors Recruiting SURP Students 2026 document
   • visit the lab website of a supervisor you are interested in working with and look up their recent publications to see if their research interests align with yours
2. Faculty Appointment Status
   • all supervisors must hold an active graduate faculty appointment with IMS
   • Associate, Assistant, and Full Professors can supervise a SURP student
   • Associate Member Restricted to PACs and/or Teaching cannot supervise a SURP student
3. Tailor your emails carefully. Things to include:
   • subject line should include IMS SURP and the year (ex. IMS SURP 2026)
   • RASI students should also include if they are a RASI student in body the subject line and body of the email
   • an introduction (your name, academic background, and reason for the email)
   • express interest in their area of research
   • explain why/how your background and interests align with the research being conducted by the supervisor
   • include any relevant skills and experience
   • attach a CV/resume and your transcript(s)
   • copy any associated lab managers, admin assistants or research coordinators to the email
   • keep the email brief
   • proof read for spelling and grammar
   • avoid using large language models, like ChatGPT to formulate an email
4. When to follow up
   • if you don't hear back within a couple of weeks, send a follow-up email
   • if you don't hear back after a follow-up email, or if the faculty member indicates they are unable to accept you as a student, respect their decision and move onto your next potential supervisor

Found a supervisor? Click here to complete the Application Form.