Program Overview

Introduction to the Sustainability Undergraduate Research in Geoscience and Engineering Program

The Sustainability Undergraduate Research in Geoscience and Engineering (SURGE) program is a research experience for undergraduates that provides an opportunity for students to engage in fully funded mentored research and graduate school preparation. The program is designed for undergraduate students who are new to research and want to explore the field of sustainability in a community that celebrates inclusion.

Eligibility Criteria

• Current sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors or second-year community college students enrolled in a U.S. institution
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing graduate study toward a master’s or PhD in the Earth sciences, oceans, environmental sciences, energy sciences, or engineering
• Not yet accepted to a graduate program

Program Overview

Each SURGE scholar is matched with a faculty member from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability to work on a research project during the 8-week summer period. Scholars join a cohort of summer researchers and participate in an educational field trip, career panels, academic seminars, and workshops on science communication and graduate school applications. The program culminates with a research symposium where scholars present their summer projects to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability community.

Support and Benefits

• $4,800 stipend
• Round-trip travel expenses from home to Stanford
• University housing and meal plan
• Access to Stanford University facilities
• Health insurance, if needed
• Mentored research training
• Coding bootcamp course
• Graduate school preparation
• Academic seminars
• Introduction to sustainability careers
• Networking opportunities

Research Topic Areas

The program covers a broad range of research areas, including:

Earth

• ecology
• evolution
• agriculture
• oceans
• planetary science
• biology

Climate

• hazards
• extreme weather
• energy
• emissions
• adaptation

Society

• engineering
• cities
• technology
• sustainable development
• environmental justice

Application Details

• Application window: December 1, 2025 - January 11, 2026
• Program dates: June 19 - August 15, 2026

Professional Development and Training

The program offers various professional development and training opportunities, including:

• Mentored research training
• Coding bootcamp course
• Graduate school preparation
• Academic seminars
• Introduction to sustainability careers
• Networking opportunities

Social Connections

The program provides opportunities for social connections, including:

• Community building activities
• Field trips around the Bay Area
• Housing on the Stanford campus
• Diverse cohort from around the country

Testimonials

Past participants have praised the program for providing a transformative experience that has helped them in their academic and professional careers. The program has been recognized for its efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in the field of sustainability research.