Program Overview

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at Mines seeks to provide funding for current Mines undergraduate students to participate in concentrated, full-time research under the mentorship of the Mines faculty. This fellowship is open to students of all disciplines.

Program Information

What is SURF?

The SURF program aims to promote and support undergraduates' scholarly and creative pursuits by providing summer research fellowships. The SURF program engages students in cutting-edge research and innovation at Mines aimed at solving significant challenges facing humanity and shaping the next generation of diverse STEM leaders. This program is open to all current undergraduate students at Mines.

Program Goals

• Provide research opportunities for Mines undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in research.
• Increase access to graduate programs for minoritized students by providing opportunities to experience scholarships.
• Provide professional development opportunities through weekly workshops to help students prepare for post-graduation opportunities.
• Prepare Mines students to be competitive for prestigious research fellowships.

Program Details

• Students funded by the SURF program are expected to engage in a robust research experience, committing approximately 300 hours of research during the summer semester (May-Aug) for an authentic and in-depth research experience.
• Each SURF student will receive an award of $4,600 for the successful completion of the program requirements.
• SURF students are expected to attend professional development seminars related to career preparation, scientific ethics, abstract writing, giving a scientific talk, and select research talks.
• All SURF students will present their work at the end of the summer program and at the Mines Undergraduate Research Conference.

Application Information

Application Timeline

• Applications open: February 16th, 2026
• Application deadline: March 13th, 2026
• Results announced: End of March 2026
• SURF research must be conducted between May 18th, 2026, and August 21st, 2026 (exact timeline is flexible, dependent on research mentor)

Needed Materials for Applying

Before applying, please ensure you have thoroughly read the program information and gathered all necessary documentation and information. Students must provide:

• Review the list of SURF projects and identify the project you are enthusiastic about researching.
• Schedule a meeting with the faculty mentor proposing the project to discuss project goals, your responsibilities, and preparedness for undertaking the project.
• Discuss and propose a timeline for when the research will be conducted.
• Go over the application and put thought into the questions asked.
• A recommendation letter will be requested from the faculty mentor after the student submits the application.

Eligibility

• The application is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled at Mines who are in good academic standing.
• Be supervised by a Mines faculty member.
• Must have availability to engage in a significant number of hours of research during the summer semester.
• Agree to disseminate your research at the undergraduate research symposium.
• Submit a 2-3 page project summary at the end of the project (deadline: August 2026)

Women, veterans, and students from groups traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering are encouraged to apply to the SURF program.