About the programme
SURF brings 15 undergraduates to Stanford Engineering for eight weeks of research in a faculty lab, alongside graduate school preparation, mentorship, community-building events and a research symposium. It targets students considering PhD training in engineering and actively welcomes first-generation, low-income, and students from institutions with limited research access. Program dates are June 21 to August 13, 2027.
Duration: 8 weeks (June 21 – August 13, 2027)
Eligibility
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a currently enrolled, full-time, non-Stanford undergraduate at an accredited US college or university (community college transfer-year students eligible with transfer admission offer)
- Good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better (exceptional circumstances or marked grade improvement may be considered)
- Committed interest in pursuing a PhD in an engineering field; MD, MD-PhD, JD, MBA, non-engineering PhD or other non-research degrees are not a fit
- Rising junior or non-graduating senior who has completed sophomore year (4 semesters or 6 quarters) with at least one full semester/quarter remaining after the program; master's and doctoral students not eligible
- Fully available June 21 – August 13, 2027
- Not enrolled in summer courses, internships, or employed during the program
- CPT-approved international students studying and living full-time in the US are eligible; students enrolled outside the US are not
- Sign in to check these against your background.
What they look for
- First-generation, low-income, or from campuses with limited research access are especially encouraged to apply
AI-written applications are not allowed. Use of ChatGPT is discouraged in the strongest possible terms.
What you receive
- Eight-week paid research placement in a Stanford Engineering lab
- All costs covered including transportation, housing and meals
- Stanford summer registration costs covered
- Health insurance coverage if needed
- $6,000 stipend on successful completion
- Graduate school preparation, mentorship and networking
What you will need
- Resume or CV (1-2 pages)
- Unofficial academic transcript
- Statement of purpose (1-2 pages)
- Two letters of recommendation (professors or research supervisors strongly recommended)
- Optional enhancing the learning community statement (500 words, strongly encouraged)
How to apply
- Submit application via the online portal by Feb 1, 2027 at 11:59pm PT; emailed or incomplete applications are not reviewed
- Virtual information sessions on Nov 10, 2026, Dec 17, 2026 and Jan 12, 2027; application office hours Jan 27 and Jan 29, 2027
- Decisions communicated by mid-March 2027
Applications are submitted on Stanford University School of Engineering’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
- Stanford University School of Engineering · Application
- Last checked
- 12 Nov 2026, read automatically from the official page
Run this programme? Update this listing.