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Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements for Caltech Students
To be eligible for SURF you must:

  • Be a continuing undergraduate student
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
  • Complete the third term at Caltech, or at another school under a program approved by a Dean
  • Be eligible for fall term registration before beginning your SURF project and no later than July 1
  • Not be under any academic or disciplinary sanctions

Eligibility Requirements for Visiting (Non-Caltech) Students
To be eligible for SURF you must:

  • Be a continuing undergraduate student and eligible for fall term registration*
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5/4.0
  • Complete the second semester or third quarter at your college or university**
  • Not be under any academic or disciplinary sanctions.

* Students need to be matriculated in a degree-granting undergraduate program. High school students who are co-enrolled in college courses are not eligible.
** Students from the University of Iceland or from one of the following Cambridge colleges (St. John's, St. Catherine's, Corpus Christi, or Pembroke) may only apply to SURF through the established exchange programs with these schools. Please contact your school to find out more information.

Additional Requirements for Visiting (Non-Caltech) International Students
International students are eligible to participate in SURF on the Caltech campus. Only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are eligible for SURF placements at JPL. International students coming to the U.S. to participate in SURF will receive instructions about applying for the F-1 or J-1 student visa after receiving a SURF award. International students currently attending a U.S. school must obtain appropriate off-campus employment authorization before beginning SURF. Students must consult an International Student Advisor at their current institution as soon as they apply for SURF. All required employment authorization must be approved before the SURF placement begins.

F-1 Students

  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorized at the discretion of the student's current academic institution and does not require an application to USCIS. Each institution establishes its own eligibility requirements and procedures for CPT.
  • Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) requires an application to USCIS. Before applying, the student must obtain a new I-20 OPT recommendation from their current institution. Students may not begin SURF until USCIS has approved the OPT application and the authorized employment start date has been reached. OPT processing can take several months; early planning is essential.

J-1 Students

  • Academic Training is authorized through the student's J-1 program sponsor and does not require an application to USCIS. Eligibility requirements and procedures vary by institution and program sponsor. Students should consult their current international student advisor as soon as the SURF application process begins.

After consulting with their current an International Student Advisor, SURF applicants with additional questions about employment authorization may contact Caltech's International Student Programs (ISP).

Expectations
Upon receiving a SURF, students sign an agreement to fulfill the following requirements:

  • To devote full effort to conducting the SURF project (Fellows cannot take courses or hold another job.)
  • To conduct research in person. Remote projects are not allowed
  • To participate in the project for the full ten-week period
  • To submit two interim reports approved by the mentor
  • To submit an abstract of their project approved by the mentor
  • To submit a written technical report approved by the mentor
  • To give a final oral presentation
  • To abide by Caltech's Honor Code

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