Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is an 11-week summer program for full-time undergraduate students in an accredited two-year or four-year college in the U.S. Participants work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday during business hours. First-year undergraduates and graduating seniors are eligible and encouraged to apply, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Programs

• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) — Full-time undergraduate students in an accredited two-year or four-year college in the U.S.; first-year undergraduates and graduating seniors are eligible and encouraged to apply; at least 18 years old · 11-week summer program; participants work 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday during business hours) · Designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM through a unique research experience that supports the NIST mission. Apply through USAJobs.

At a glance

• Ages: 18 years old
• Current session: 2027 SURF Program Dates (Jun 2–Aug 27, 2027)

About the provider

SURF is designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM through a research experience that supports the NIST mission. It requires participants to be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents able to provide proof on the application, to pass a background check, to provide proof of health insurance, and to receive payments by direct deposit.

Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident able to provide proof on the application. Must be a full-time undergraduate student in an accredited two-year or four-year college in the U.S. First-year undergraduates and graduating seniors (seniors participating in the Winter or Spring Commencement) are eligible and encouraged to apply. Participants will work 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday during business hours). Must pass a background check, provide proof of health insurance, receive payments by direct deposit, and be at least 18 years old.

Last updated November 6, 2026.