About the programme
SURF lets undergraduates conduct original research with experienced Caltech faculty mentors, from defining a project to presenting results at SURF Seminar Day. Applicants must first secure a Caltech faculty mentor who agrees to support the application, help develop the proposal, and financially contribute to the award. Visiting (non-Caltech) students may apply if they have a supportive mentor. Projects should have significant intellectual content and potential for refereed publication.
Duration: 10 weeks
Eligibility
- Identify and secure a Caltech faculty mentor who agrees to support the application and co-fund the award before applying
- Visiting (non-Caltech) applicants must submit an unofficial transcript at application time
- Sign in to check these against your background.
What they look for
- Returning SURF students are expected to show stronger applications reflecting prior experience
- Coursework and experience preparing the applicant for the project
Needs a third party. A Caltech faculty mentor must agree to support the application and financially contribute to the award.
Limits on using AI. Students should consult their mentor or the SFP office about generative AI policies for applications, proposals and reports; any use not specifically permitted is not allowed.
What you will need
- Online application via SFP Online
- Research proposal written by the student
- Unofficial transcript (visiting students)
- Two confidential letters of recommendation (at least one from a faculty member)
- Confidential mentor evaluation (submitted by mentor after application)
How to apply
- Contact and secure a Caltech faculty mentor in advance
- Submit application and proposal through SFP Online by February 22
- Mentor and a faculty member in the field review the proposal
- Mentor evaluation requested after submission
- Awards announced April 1; successful applicants receive e-mail with acceptance instructions
Applications are submitted on Caltech Student-Faculty Programs’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.
From people who applied
No notes yet.
Source and verification
- Official source
- Caltech Student-Faculty Programs · Application
- Last checked
- 10 Nov 2026, read automatically from the official page
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