Purdue Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships Program

Opportunity Description:

Engage in research this summer on Purdue's West Lafayette, Indiana campus! SURF matches undergraduates with a faculty member and graduate student mentor who introduce them to the research tools used on the cutting edges of science, engineering, and technology. (Open to Purdue students and undergraduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities.)

SURF students participate in research activities on campus over 10-weeks during a 11-week program in the summer.

Why Participate in SURF?

• Receive pay to conduct hands-on research under the direction of a faculty member and a graduate student
• Attend professional development seminars
• Present research discoveries at the SURF Symposium
• Enjoy social activities with other SURF students
• Network with faculties and students that conduct research that is of interest to you
• Increase proficiency of technical communication
• Gain experiences to work towards your future career goals, with a particular focus on post-graduation education
• Celebrate at the end-of-summer banquet

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

Eligibility

Applicants for SURF must:

• be a full-time student currently enrolled at Purdue or another U.S. institution of higher education in a bachelor’s degree program
• have completed one academic semesters by the start of the SURF program
• continue to be enrolled as an undergraduate the following academic year
• have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0 at the time of application
• be at least 18 years old by the time the program begins
• participate for the scheduled program period (alternate program dates are not available)

Application Process: 

1. Complete the application form
   Describe your research experience, qualifications, relevant experiences. Upload your resume.
2. Send Unofficial University transcript
   Upload your unofficial transcript with the application form. The unofficial transcript should be an original document and show all grades and coursework through the current spring session. Provide official transcripts from all other universities you attended (if applicable).
3. 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.

Application Deadline: