WAVE Fellows
WAVE Fellows supports STEM undergraduates through mentored summer research and professional development at Caltech, advancing scientific excellence and increasing access to its PhD programs.
This grant was recently updated
The $2,000 supplement is now described as an on-campus housing supplement rather than a travel/housing supplement.
Funder: California Institute of Technology
Due Dates: January 8, 2027 (Application and recommendations) | May 15, 2027 (Fellows’ project plan) | June 14–August 20, 2027 (Program)
Funding Amounts: $8,354 for 10 weeks, plus a $2,000 on-campus housing supplement
Summary: WAVE Fellows supports STEM undergraduates through mentored summer research and professional development at Caltech, increasing access to its PhD programs.
Key Information: Fellows must devote full effort to research and cannot take courses or hold another job.
Description
The California Institute of Technology’s WAVE Fellows program offers a 10-week summer research experience for STEM undergraduates seriously considering graduate school. The program aims to increase the visibility and accessibility of Caltech’s PhD programs while advancing scientific excellence through differences in perspective, experience, and thought. Applicants identify possible research mentors, and accepted fellows collaborate with their matched mentor to define and develop a project.
Alongside research, fellows participate in academic and professional development covering research careers, graduate admissions, effective writing, and oral communication. Activities include weekly seminars by Caltech faculty and JPL scientists and engineers, writing workshops, student-faculty dinners, and social and cultural events. The experience culminates in an oral or poster presentation at Seminar Days, symposia modeled on professional technical meetings.
