SURF Application Form

If you have already started an application

To continue working on your existing application, please select the year for which you are applying, then enter the five-digit application number and the password you chose for your application.

Reset your password.

Program Year

Application #

Password

Hide Application Instructions

SURF Application Instructions

Before filling out this form:

Please read all of the following instructions before beginning your application.

To create an application, scroll down and enter a unique password under 'Student Information'. Be sure to choose a password that you will remember. Once you begin the application process, you will be able to save your application and complete it later. Your application number will be generated when you save the application for the first time. Your password along with your application number will allow you to access your application from this site at a later date.

When you click 'Save and Continue', your application will be saved. Anyincomplete required fields will be highlighted. If all required fields are complete, you will receive an email containing details on how to access the application at a later point. You can use these access details to continue working on the application until submitted.

You will also find a 'Review Application' option, allowing you to preview a printable version of the application. On the Review Application page, you can either further edit the application ('Edit Application' button) or click the 'Confirm Submit' button. Clicking on 'Confirm Submit' will officially submit your application for consideration in the program. Once submitted, you will not be able to make changes to your application, except for your project choices. However, you will still have the ability to view and print it. If you wish to modify your project choices, you can do so until Apr 15, 2025 .

Please do not submit a new application if you have already created one.

When the final submission is complete, the following emails will be sent:

A message to you with the URL for your application
A message to your Purdue faculty member (if you specified one) asking them to complete the Project Information & Recommendation Form for you
A message to the Engineering Undergraduate Research Office indicating your submission

To complete the application process, you'll need to submit a resume and your unofficial university transcript. Your unofficial transcript should include all grades and coursework through the current session. Purdue students can order a transcript online through MyPurdue.

Non-Purdue students should contact their student services office to obtain a transcript. If an online order system is not available, request the transcript be emailed directly to the Engineering Undergraduate Research Office (eur@purdue.edu) before the application deadline.

Non-Purdue students will also need a letter of recommendation from a professor or professional with whom they have worked. When you submit your application you will receive an email containing a link to an upload form. Give that link to the recommender; they should upload their letter using that form.

The SURF program is very competitive. Qualified applicants should take the application process seriously by fully answering all questions and providing all required documents by the deadline.

Application Form

All bold questions marked with an asterisk (*) are required, and must be completed before submitting the application.

Student Information

* Password

You will need to remember this if you want to view or edit your application in the future.

* First name

Middle name

* Last name

Current Address

* Street Address

* City

* State or province

* Zip/postal code

* Country

Email and Phone

* University Email Address

Alternate Email Address

* Phone

Additional Phone

* Citizenship – select the option that applies to you.

Enter your home country, if not born in the U.S.

If you are an International student, please indicate your visa status.

If other visa status, please describe.

Participation and Eligibility

* If selected for the SURF program, are you available to participate for the entire 11-week program period (May 26, 2025 - August 8, 2025)?

* Will you be 18 years of age or older on the first day (May 26, 2025) of the SURF program?

If no, indicate what your age will be on the first day of the SURF program.

* Do you have relatives employed at Purdue or on the Board of Trustees?

If yes, list their name(s) and relationship to you.

Demographic information:

* Gender (select the one that best applies to you)

Man
Woman
Nonbinary
Prefer not to disclose
Other

If your gender was not listed, how would you describe it?

* Are you a first-generation college student?

(First-generation students are defined as those students who come from families where their parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree.)

Yes
No
Prefer not to disclose

* For US citizens and permanent residents, are you Pell grant eligible?

Yes
No
I don't know

Academic Background

* Are you a student of Purdue University? (West Lafayette or Indianapolis)

Yes - West Lafayette
Yes - Indianapolis
No

If no, then please enter the name of your University/Institution.

PUID (Purdue ID - required if you are a Purdue student)

(PUIDs should be 10 digits with a dash in the middle: 12345-12345)

* College

Purdue students should use the autocomplete to select their college. (e.g. College of Engineering, College of Polytechnic, College of Science etc. For instance, Biological Engineering is the department name and the relevant college is College of Engineering.) Non-Purdue students can simply enter their college name.

* Major

Use the autocomplete to select your major. Non-Purdue students should choose one that most closely matches their major.

* Cumulative GPA as it appears on your current transcript

(The minimum GPA to be eligible to participate in SURF is 2.8 out of 4; enter only the numerical GPA — NO text)

* Expected graduation for bachelor's degree (month and year, e.g. May 2023)

Students should continue to be enrolled in an undergraduate program for at least 1 quarter or semester after the end of the SURF program.

* How many semesters will you complete by the beginning of SURF?

Count only semesters in full-time student status—i.e. the number of Fall and Spring semesters. (3 quarters = 2 semesters)

* Do you intend to pursue a graduate degree?

Yes
No
Undecided

Are you currently part of the GEARE (Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education) program at Purdue?

Research Interests and Background

* Research projects may be located in either West Lafayette or Indianapolis. Please indicate where you would be interested in doing research.

I would only like to be considered for projects based in West Lafayette, Indiana
I would only like to be considered for projects based in Indianapolis, Indiana
I would like to be considered for projects in both locations

Please select up to three research categories that would interest you

* Have you participated in Purdue SURF before?

* As of December 31, 2024, have you conducted research as an undergraduate student under the guidance of a professor at a university, or at a national lab?

Yes (at Purdue)
Yes (outside Purdue)
No, SURF will be my first research experience

Previous Research Mentor (if applicable)

(If you have had multiple undergraduate research experiences as of December 31, 2024, please give details of your most recent one.)

Mentor's Full Name

Mentor's Department (Purdue) or University (non-Purdue)

Mentor's Email

How many semesters did you work under this mentor's guidance? (2 semesters = 3 quarters)

If you have had multiple undergraduate research experiences as of December 31, 2024, how many cumulative semesters of research have you done? (Count summers as semesters.)

Supporting Documents

You need to enter a password and save your application at least once before you can add files to it. After that you'll be able to upload the following documents:

Resume
Transcript

Documents can be replaced with updated versions as long as you haven't submitted the completed application.

Statement of Purpose

* Briefly describe to us what instances or experiences have led you to pursue your current field of study, and why you continue to pursue it. Mention any significant questions or problems in the field that you find particularly intriguing and that motivate you to delve deeper. If you are part of multiple fields, or at the intersection of them, feel free to comment on that.

There are many programs that offer summer research opportunities, what attracted you to SURF and the resources it offers? Moreover, how would participation in SURF contribute toward the pursuit of your career goals? Please outline your long-term career aspirations within STEM.

Explain how the research experience gained through the SURF program will contribute to your career goals. You may mention any specific skills, knowledge, or connections you hope to gain during this program that will be valuable in your future career.

What have you done so far to explore the field of study you are interested in? This could include coursework, independent projects, internships, or participation in relevant clubs or organizations. Highlight any achievements or experiences that demonstrate your commitment and readiness for research.

If you have encountered any obstacles or challenges in your pursuit of higher education or research, please discuss how you have addressed or overcome these obstacles. This could include seeking guidance from professors, taking additional courses, or refining your research question.

Purdue Summer SURF Program - 2025

If you have not been matched with a faculty member and project, you should browse the list of available on-campus research projects and select up to three projects that interest you below. New projects will continue to be posted during the open application period, and some projects may not be available to you due to citizenship requirements or the campus where the research will be conducted.

How did you learn about the SURF program? (Select all that apply.)

A presentation delivered by EURO
Faculty or academic advisor
Graduate student mentor
A Purdue University website (e.g., the EURO website)
Social media (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram)
Peers
Family
Other

If you found SURF by other means, please describe.

If you were to apply for graduate school, which programs would you be interested in? Please indicate up to three disciplines.

Use the autocomplete to select a major.

* One discipline is required.

Partners

Postdoctoral Scholars

Facilities

Programs