SURF@JPL
SURF@JPL supports undergraduates in ten-week research projects with mentors at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, fostering intellectual ownership of work with potential for refereed publication.
This grant was recently updated
The SURF@JPL 2027 page now links directly to the application portal, replacing the notice that applications would open on November 1.
Funder: California Institute of Technology
Due Dates: February 22, 2027 (Application and recommendations) | April 1, 2027 (Award notification)
Funding Amounts: $9,600 for a ten-week summer fellowship in 2027
Summary: SURF@JPL supports undergraduate research with experienced mentors at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Key Information: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and secure a supporting research mentor before applying.
Description
Caltech’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (SURF@JPL) gives continuing undergraduates the opportunity to conduct summer research under experienced mentors. Modeled on the grant-seeking process, the program asks students to collaborate with a mentor to define a project, write a research proposal, and carry out the work over ten weeks. Fellows conclude their research by submitting a technical paper and giving an oral presentation.
Projects should have significant intellectual and creative content, offer students intellectual ownership, and have potential for publication in refereed literature. Students may explore fields outside their academic options. The research experience is complemented by seminars, writing workshops, professional development, and social activities.
