Using Generative AI

SURFD allows for the use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools in preparing application materials for the following programs: URAD, leave term grants, Presidential Scholars, Stamps Scholars. For other programs and for national fellowships (administered by the Fellowships Office), the use of Gen AI will vary. It is your reponsibility to ensure that you read and comply with guidelines and policies of each program, fellowship and application type. When in doubt about what is and is not permissible, ask!

If the use of AI is permissible for an application, it is critical that you carefully review any Gen AI-generated content or references since the output may be factually incorrect or may not provide the information that was intended. Large Language Models (LLMs) are trained on unverified information and can produce false information.

You must cite or acknowledge the use of Gen AI in any materials submitted to SURFD (applications, final reports, etc). The use of AI will not negatively impact the review of your application or other materials unless it is explicitly prohibited in the application instructions.

When the use of AI is permitted, you will be asked the following:

• Whether or not you used Gen AI tools in the preparation of your application.
• Which tools you used and how you used them (e.g. text generation, idea generation).
• Confirmation that you carefully reviewed your submission and did not rely solely on the output of the tool(s) that you used.

Constructing a useful prompt is critical to receiving helpful and accurate results. Research Computing offers some helpful information on this topic, and even some sample prompts to get you started. 

The following are examples of prompts you could use for SURFD applications:

Removing the use of the first person in your abstract:

• "Help me edit my abstract for a research funding application."
• "Here is the context: [insert your abstract text]."
• "Please make it so that it's not in first person."
• "Format the result as a paragraph."

Clarifying an overly long or convoluted sentence:

• "Help me edit my sentence for a research funding application."
• "Here is the context: [insert your abstract text]."
• "Please make it so that it is more clear and concise."
• "Format the result as one or two sentences."

Brainstorming about an area of interest or narrowing a broader topic:

• "Help me narrow the topic "[broad topic]" into specific, testable undergraduate research questions. Generate at least 20 possibilities that vary in scope and methodology."
• "I am an undergraduate majoring in [major]. My academic interests include [topic 1], [topic 2], and [topic 3]. Suggest 15 undergraduate research ideas that are feasible within one academic year. For each idea, explain why it matters, what methods I could use, and what skills I would develop."