Prospective SURF Applicants

Student Application Portal is closed
for SURF 2024


The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers an immersive research experience for undergraduate students, fostering their interest in advanced education and research careers. Selected students conduct research on Purdue's West Lafayette, Indiana campus, collaborating with faculty and graduate student mentors. Open to both Purdue and external undergraduate students from U.S. colleges and universities.

This competitive fellowship provides a paid, 10-week summer research opportunity, complemented by weekly professional development workshops. The program concludes with a student research symposium. Participants are required to submit a final report documenting their outcomes.

 

SURF 2025
Overview of Important Dates


Student Application Period

Priority Deadline

Program Period

SURF Symposium

SURF Award Reception

December 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025

January 15, 2025

May 25, 2025 - August 8, 2025

July 31, 2025

August 1, 2025

Quick Links

Benefits

  • $6500 Stipend: Receive a generous stipend of $6500 paid bi-weekly for your dedicated participation in the 10-week immersive research program.
  • Expert Mentorship: Gain access to seasoned faculty and graduate student mentors who offer valuable guidance, ensuring a supportive and enriching research experience.
  • Professional Development Seminars: Attend specialized seminars designed to enhance your professional skills, providing insights into various aspects of academic and research careers.
  • Symposium Presentation: Showcase your research findings by presenting at the prestigious SURF Symposium, offering a platform to share your work with peers, faculty, and professionals.
  • Social Engagement: Enjoy a vibrant social community by participating in activities designed for bonding with fellow participants, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.
  • Networking Opportunities: Engage in networking events, workshops, and seminars that connect you with professionals, researchers, and peers, expanding your professional network and creating lasting connections.
  • Enhanced Communication Skills: Develop and refine your technical communication proficiency, a crucial skill for effectively conveying complex ideas, research findings, and insights in a professional context.
  • $2500 housing allowance
    • ​All external students receive the housing allowance.
    • For Purdue students, they must apply by the priority deadline to be considered. If selected, they will be notified in their offer letter and the amount added to their bi-weekly compensation.
  • Travel Reimbursement: External and Purdue-Indy students have access to a travel reimbursement of up to $1000. For external students, only those that apply by priority deadline will be considered for this subsidy. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the SURF program, applicants must:
  • Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Purdue or another U.S. institution of higher education, pursuing a bachelor's degree.
  • Be a first-time participant in the Purdue SURF program, as students can engage in the program only once.
  • Have completed at least one academic semester/quarter by the time of the SURF application.
  • Maintain undergraduate enrollment for at least one academic semester/quarter following the conclusion of the SURF program.
  • Be a rising junior or senior; Purdue-affiliated rising sophomores, including Purdue-Indy rising sophomores, are also eligible.
  • Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0 at the time of application.
  • Demonstrate the ability to actively participate in the majority of program activities. Requests for alternate start dates, up to one week post-program commencement, can be accommodated with faculty permission.

Expectations and Program Guidelines

Throughout your participation in the SURF program, you can anticipate the following expectations and guidelines:

  • Adherence to Student Code of Conduct: All SURF participants are expected to adhere to the Purdue University Student Code of Conduct, maintaining a standard of conduct conducive to a positive and collaborative research environment.
  • Duration of the Program: The SURF experience spans 10 weeks of intensive research. Any requests for vacations or time off should be discussed with the faculty mentor in advance and are subject to approval at the faculty's discretion.
  • Class Enrollment: SURF students are not permitted to enroll in classes while actively participating in the program. This allows for a focused and immersive research experience throughout the 10-week duration.

For more information on the structure of the program, please see the SURF program Policies and Requirements page. 

Selection Criteria

Students will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Eligibility
  • Application information and academic record
  • Qualifications for available research projects
  • Successful match to a project
  • Prior research experience is not required: this program is well suited for the first-time researcher

Application Steps

  1. Complete the application form
  2. Upload your resume.
  3. Send Unofficial University transcript
    Upload a PDF of your original transcript to the application system.
  4. Submit Statement of Purpose which answers the below prompt:
    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.
  5. External Students Only
    External students are required to request a letter of recommendation from a Professor/Professional who you have worked closely with. The letter should be uploaded by the application deadline.
  6. Explore potential research projects
    Talk to Purdue professors about your research interests and potential opportunities in their lab. Review the SURF list of research projects with undergraduate research positions. You can indicate your interest in these projects directly on the application by selecting up to three projects. Additional projects will be posted as they become available. Return to this list frequently to view new project postings but be aware that not every available SURF project will be posted here.

The student-project matching will continue through March, but all application documents must be received in the SURF office by the application deadline.

Purdue - Indy Students

Purdue students on the Indianapolis Campus are welcome and encouraged to apply for SURF. For the Summer 2024 cohort, Purdue - Indy students will receive both the benefits of Purdue Internal and External students (e.g. rising sophomores are allowed to apply, and housing will be provided to Indy students coming to the West Lafayette Campus). 

It is possible to complete a SURF project on the Purdue Indianapolis Campus in Summer 2024. Indianapolis faculty are welcome to post projects, and students are able to indicate their location requirements in the application. Unfortunately, given the many recent changes on the Indy campus, we are not able to provide housing  for any students wishing to do research on the Indy campus this summer. Please contact eur@purdue.edu with any logistical questions about participation in SURF for Indy-based students and faculty.

Housing & Travel Assistance

  • External students, Purdue - Indy students, and selected Pathways Scholars will obtain free housing on Purdue's West Lafayette campus for the duration of the program. SURF staff will make the roommate assignments.
  • West Lafayette-based Purdue students are responsible for securing their own housing for the summer.
  • For the 2024 cohort, all students wishing to participate in SURF at the Purdue - Indy campus are responsible for securing their own housing for the summer.
  • Travel assistance to campus will be granted to those participating in SURF at a location other than their home university (e.g. external students and Purdue - Indy students coming to West Lafayette, or external students and Purdue - West Lafayette students coming to Indy will all be eligible for travel assistance). To be considered for assistance, you must complete the Visiting Student section of the online application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Table of contents

Eligibility

Who can apply for the SURF program?

Undergraduate students enrolled at Purdue and other U.S. institutions are eligible to apply. Please review the full list of eligibility criteria on this page. Students can participate in the SURF program only once.

I am currently a freshman, can I apply for SURF?

Yes. See the eligibility criteria for more details.

Are international students studying in undergraduate institutions outside of U.S. eligible to apply for the SURF program?

SURF program is only available to students currently enrolled in an institution in the U.S.

I will be graduating in April/May this year. Am I eligible to apply to the SURF program this year?

No. SURF is available only for students who will continue to be enrolled as an undergraduate for at least one academic semester/quarter after the end of the SURF program.

Application Requirements

How do I apply for the SURF program?

Please visit the SURF Application Form to apply online.

I am a Purdue student; do I need to find a faculty member to work with prior to applying for the SURF program?

No. However, we encourage Purdue students to contact faculty members directly to determine if research opportunities exist in their lab. We highly encourage you to determine your areas of interest and explore the research being conducted on campus. Each school/department’s website lists faculty members and their specific research areas. We also have a list of projects with potential openings; however, this is not a comprehensive list of potential projects.

As a non-Purdue applicant, do I need to find a faculty mentor or will one be assigned to me?

For non-Purdue students considered for the program, the SURF staff will assist them in finding an appropriate research project and mentor. Students are encouraged to explore Purdue websites to discover the research being conducted at Purdue and indicate their research interest on the application form, including specific projects and names of faculty members, if possible.

Can I conduct research in a lab that is outside my major and school?

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.

Does my GPA affect my acceptance into the program?

GPA is considered along with the entire application. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 is required.

How can I get a university transcript?

A PDF of either official or unofficial transcript should be uploaded along with your application. Your transcript should include all past and current coursework. Please do NOT email/mail us your transcript.

Can I submit my application without the letter of recommendation?

Only external students (Non-Purdue students) need a letter of recommendation. You can submit your application without the letter of recommendation letter. Once you submit your application, you will receive a link to upload the LOR. You may forward it to your recommender so that they can upload the letter to our system.

Who can submit a letter of recommendation for me?

You can obtain a recommendation letter from a Professor/Professional who you have worked closely with and can attest to your work ethics, attitude, behavior, skills, and interest related to the SURF program. Recommenders may be faculty teaching a course you have taken, lab lead of a research project that you were part of, professionals leading a team that you did your internship in.

What should be in the content of my letter of recommendation?

Your letter of recommendation should describe why you would be a good fit for the SURF program. Your recommender may choose to describe your professional work ethics, and/or your research/leadership/teamwork capabilities based on their interaction with you.

When should I request my letter of recommendation?

It is good practice to allow your recommender 2-3 weeks to submit your letter of recommendation. You should plan ahead, and request a recommendation ahead of time, so that your recommender has time to submit the letter before the application deadline.

Can I have multiple letters of recommendation?

No. Only one letter is allowed. If a second letter is uploaded, it will overwrite the first one.

My university is based on a quarter system. How do I convert it to "completed semester" for the application?

You may count 3 completed quarter systems to be equal to 2 completed semesters.

I have already identified a faculty that I want to work with for SURF and the faculty has also agreed to offer me a position. Do I still have to submit an application?

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 in the SURF website on behalf of your graduate mentor/faculty mentor, to facilitate the process.

A new project was posted after I submitted my application. I am really interested in this one. Can I still update my choices of projects to include it?

Please email eur@purdue.edu to request change by Feb 15 if you would like to update your choices of projects. Please do NOT submit a new application. We will accommodate to change once.

Do faculty review the applications after the end of the SURF application submission deadline?

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. Some faculty may wish to wait till the application deadline, to review applications while others may choose to decide on offering a position as soon as they identify a potential candidate for their project.

When will I know if I am accepted into the SURF program?

SURF offer letters will be sent to students through email in March and early April. We will send official rejection in April if you are not selected. Please do not email/call us to inquire about the decision.

If I receive an offer, what's the next step?

You will have a few days to decide whether to accept or decline it. Please let us and the professor know the decision at your earliest convenience.

Logistics

Where is the Engineering Undergraduate Research office?

The Engineering Undergraduate Research Office is located in Room 2522, Dudley Hall, 420 Central Dr, West Lafayette

Office hour schedule

Does SURF provide housing during the summer?

Purdue students are responsible for securing their own housing for the summer. External students from another U.S. institution will obtain free housing for the duration of the SURF program.

How much will I be paid?

During the summer, students are paid $6000 on a biweekly schedule for the program.

Will my pay be subject to income tax?

The SURF stipend will be paid as a personal payment. Students are considered participants in the SURF program but are not employees of the university. In most cases, taxes will not be withheld from your checks, but the income may be subject to taxes at the end of the year. Each taxpayer is responsible for determining the amount that may be taxable and should contact a tax advisor with questions. IRS Publication 970 may provide helpful information. Note: For international students, the payments may be subject to taxes as required by the U.S. government. Participants will be asked to update their on-line Glacier file. The generated summary report will indicate any tax liability and the documents required by the university to process your pay.

Do I need CPT authorization if I am an international student?

An international student studying at Purdue does not need CPT authorization. All other international students will need authorization from their home university.

Can I receive both pay and credit for the research?

No. SURF students will only be able to receive pay for completing the program.

Is it possible to take a summer class and participate in the SURF program?

No. Students are expected to devote their time to the program.

Can I take time off during the SURF program?

Yes, students are eligible to take time off. However, this has to be discussed and approved by the faculty mentors and EURO ahead of time. Students are advised to discuss this with their faculty mentor before accepting the position (especially if long duration of time off is anticipated during the summer).

Approximately how many students participate in the SURF program?

The program grows every year - in 2023 there were over 250 students involved in the program. 

Will there be medical insurance provided by the SURF program?

Individuals and student organization members involved in student organization activities are responsible for maintaining their own medical insurance coverage. Risk Management offers a special medical/accident insurance policy that provides $15,000 of emergency medical and accident coverage that can be purchased for camps, conferences, or field trips. The cost of this insurance is typically less than $0.50 per day/per participant, and the cost for the coverage is billed to the student organization. Information about this insurance and forms to request coverage can be found under STUDENT, FACULTY, AND STAFF SPECIALTY COVERAGES here

Will there be housing provided by the SURF program if I am a Purdue student and have been offered to participate in the SURF program?

Unless selected to be part of the pathways program, current Purdue students will be required to secure and pay for their own housing. You should be eligible for either summer intern or summer school housing. SURF would qualify you for either. 

What kind of amenities will be included in the housing for participants that are external students?

2024 SURF participants who do not currently attend Purdue University will be housed in Hawkins Hall which offers the following amenities:

  • All rooms in Hawkins Hall are air-conditioned, fully furnished, and include Wi-Fi and cable television hookup.
  • There is an industrial kitchen within the residence hall, for which you will need your own cooking supplies. Refrigerators within the kitchen are available for short-term food storage for summer residents.
  • Hawkins Hall is located within walking distance of numerous shops and restaurants and is situated on the academic campus close to all main campus buildings.
  • Interns will have access to an exercise and workout facility, a 24-hour laundry facility, large lounge areas, a large main-floor kitchenette, and a 13th-floor lounge with a spectacular panoramic view of Purdue’s campus.
Will there be shuttle services provided for SURF participants to travel from Indianapolis airport to Purdue University?

No. For transportation options, pleases see more details here.

 

How can I get reimbursed for the travel to Purdue for participating in the SURF program?

All participants should keep all receipts for the travel. A survey will be sent out at the beginning of the summer to collect the receipts. Then, the participants can get reimbursed up to a maximum of $1200.