Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) 2026
Organization: California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Host country: United States
Degree level: Undergraduate
Funding: Paid Internship
Deadline: February 22, 2026
Eligible countries: All countries (International students eligible for SURF on-campus; SURF@JPL restricted to US Citizens/PR)
Fields of study: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Space Science, Computer Science, Geology, etc.
The Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program introduces undergraduate students to research as a creative intellectual activity. Students work under the guidance of seasoned research mentors at Caltech or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Participants define and develop a project, write a research proposal, conduct the work over a 10-week period, and present their findings at the end of the summer.
Benefits
Fellowship award (stipend) of approximately $8,110 for the 10-week period.
Opportunity to work with world-class scientists and engineers.
Professional development seminars and career workshops.
Networking opportunities with other researchers.
Eligibility
Must be a continuing undergraduate student (must not be graduating before the summer program).
Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Must have completed the second semester or third quarter at your college/university.
Must identify and contact a Caltech/JPL mentor in advance who agrees to support the application.
Must be eligible for fall term registration at your home institution.
Requirements
Find a mentor at Caltech/JPL who agrees to host you.
Write and submit a research proposal created in collaboration with the mentor.
Submit an online application via the SFP portal.
Submit two confidential letters of recommendation (at least one from a faculty member).
Submit unofficial academic transcripts.
Required Documents
Research Proposal (written by the student)
Two Letters of Recommendation
Unofficial Transcript
Online Application Form
Programs of Study
Astrophysics, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Planetary Science, etc.
Application Process
1. Identify a potential mentor at Caltech or JPL by reviewing faculty research profiles online.
2. Contact the mentor directly to discuss your interest and potential projects (start this months in advance).
3. Once a mentor agrees, collaborate with them to write a research proposal.
4. Register an account on the Caltech SFP Online system.
5. Upload your proposal, transcripts, and recommender details.
6. Submit the full application by the February 22 deadline.
How to Apply
The most critical step is **finding a mentor first**. You cannot apply without a mentor's agreement. Browse the Caltech division websites for faculty research that interests you, email them to ask for a SURF opportunity, and if accepted, proceed to the online application at the SFP website.
Selection Process
Review of the research proposal for clarity, feasibility, and intellectual ownership.
Assessment of student preparedness (coursework and grades).