Students will be selected based on eligibility, application information and academic record, qualifications for available research projects, and a successful match to a project. Prior research experience is not required, as this program is well suited for the first-time researcher.

We strongly encourage applicants to explore their areas of interest and review the research conducted at Purdue. Departmental websites often list faculty members and their specific research areas, which can help you identify potential opportunities. While the SURF program provides a list of projects with potential openings, it is not exhaustive. Indicating your research interests, specific projects, or faculty names on your application can assist in matching you with an appropriate research project and mentor.

Yes, the interdisciplinary aspect of many of the projects allows students to learn and work across other disciplines while still applying the concepts and skills from their own programs. Students are encouraged to determine all research areas that may be of interest to them.

Upload a PDF of your university transcript directly to the application system. The transcript must include your name, program of study, past courses with grades, and current course enrollments. Please do not email or mail your transcript; it must be uploaded through the application system.

External (non-Purdue) students are required to submit a letter of recommendation as part of their application. While you can submit your application without the letter initially, you will receive a link upon submission that you can forward to your recommender for uploading the letter to our system.
The letter should come from a professor or professional who has worked closely with you and can attest to your work ethic, attitude, behavior, skills, and interests related to the SURF program. This could include faculty teaching a course you’ve taken, a lab lead from a research project you were part of, or a professional who supervised you during an internship.
The content of the letter should highlight why you would be a good fit for the program, emphasizing aspects such as your professional work ethic, research abilities, leadership, or teamwork skills based on their interactions with you.
It’s recommended to allow your recommender 2–3 weeks to submit the letter, so plan accordingly to ensure it is submitted before the application deadline. Please note that only one letter of recommendation is allowed; if a second letter is uploaded, it will overwrite the first one.

SURF offer letters will be sent to students via email in March and early April, with all decisions finalized by April 15. If you are not selected, you will receive an official rejection email in April. Please do not email or call us to inquire about your application status before this date.

Yes, you will still need to submit an application. Indicate the details of the project in the application when prompted. Also, you may choose to post a research project on behalf of your graduate mentor/faculty mentor to facilitate the process.

SURF applications are considered on a rolling basis, and hence applications are available to be reviewed by the faculty as soon as they are submitted.

For any questions related to tax reporting and payments regarding the SURF stipend, please contact Purdue Tax Services at tax@purdue.edu. Additional information is available at Purdue Tax Services.
International students with nonresident alien status should ensure their Glacier profile is updated for accurate tax-related information and review the generated summary report for details about their tax liability.
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and resident aliens may have tax withholding applied to their stipend. All participants are encouraged to consult a tax advisor to determine the taxable portion of their stipend.
Recipients of the SURF fellowship may receive tax reporting information via email or on a tax form between late January and mid-February. .

If you are an international student on an F1 visa studying at Purdue, CPT authorization is not required. However, international students from other institutions will need CPT authorization from their home university.

No, Purdue SURF students can only receive pay for completing the program. However, students are encouraged to enroll in ENGR 39602 (0 credit) to document the research experience on their transcript.