SURF@JPL

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)@JPL provides students the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of experienced mentors at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

SURF@JPL is modeled on the grant-seeking process:

• Students collaborate with a potential mentor to define and develop a project
• Applicants write research proposals as part of the application process
• JPL technical staff review the proposals and recommend awards
• Students carry out the work over a 10-week period during the summer
• At the conclusion of the program, students submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation

In 2025, SURF@JPL Fellows will receive a $9,600 award for the ten-week period.

To enrich the research experience, SURF@JPL Fellows are invited to attend the following:

• Weekly seminars by Caltech faculty & JPL scientists and engineers
• An academic and professional development series on developing a research career, graduate school admissions, and other topics of interest to future researchers
• Effective writing workshops
• Social and cultural activities
• Weekly small student-faculty dinners
• Special field trips