Purdue University Summer Fellowship 2026 (SURF Program)

Applications are now open for the Purdue University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2026, a fully-funded 11-week research program for undergraduate students in STEM fields. This prestigious opportunity is available to undergraduate students from Purdue University, other U.S. institutions, and international institutions who want to gain hands-on research experience at Purdue’s West Lafayette or Indianapolis campus. The program runs from May 25, 2026 to August 7, 2026, with the priority application deadline set for January 15, 2026.

Selected participants will receive a $6,500 stipend paid bi-weekly, along with a $2,500 housing allowance (eligibility varies), making this a fully-funded research opportunity. Students will work under the guidance of experienced faculty mentors, participate in professional development workshops, and present their research findings at the SURF Symposium. There is no application fee to apply for this program. You can check out more Internships, BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Host Institution: Purdue University, USA
• Program Duration: 11 weeks (May 25 – August 7, 2026)
• Research Location: West Lafayette or Indianapolis campus
• Field of Study: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
• Funding Type: Fully Funded
• Stipend Amount: $6,500 (paid bi-weekly)
• Housing Allowance: $2,500 (eligibility varies by student type)
• Application Fee: None
• Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate students from Purdue, other U.S. institutions, and international institutions
• Deadline: January 15, 2026

Program Overview

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers a unique, immersive, 11-week research experience designed to encourage undergraduate students in their pursuit of advanced educational and career opportunities in research.

Students selected will conduct research on either Purdue’s West Lafayette or Indianapolis campus under the guidance of a faculty, graduate student, or postdoctoral mentor. This competitive fellowship is a paid opportunity complemented with weekly professional development workshops and seminars to help build the technical and communication skills of participants.

The program culminates with a student research symposium in which participants present their findings. All participants must submit a final report detailing their outcomes to both their project advisor and the Engineering Undergraduate Research Office (EURO).

Also check: Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Important Dates for SURF 2026

• Student Application Opens: December 1, 2025
• Priority Application Deadline: January 15, 2026 (rolling admissions after this date)
• Program Period (Remote): May 25, 2026 – May 31, 2026
• Program Period (In-Person): June 1, 2026 – August 7, 2026
• SURF Symposium: July 30, 2026

Program Benefits

• $6,500 Stipend: Receive a generous stipend paid bi-weekly throughout the 11-week program
• $2,500 Housing Allowance: All non-Purdue students automatically receive this allowance. Purdue students must apply by the priority deadline to be considered and will be notified in their offer letter if selected

Also check: Stipendium Hungaricum Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2026-2027 and Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2026/2027 (Study in Hungary) for BS and MS

Eligibility Requirements

• Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Purdue University, another U.S. institution, or an international institution
• Have completed at least one academic semester/quarter by the time of application
• Maintain undergraduate enrollment for at least one academic semester/quarter following the conclusion of the SURF program
• Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0 or equivalent
• Demonstrate the ability to actively participate in the majority of program activities
• Requests for alternate start dates (up to one week post-program commencement) can be accommodated with faculty permission

Check this: Hardiman PhD Scholarship at University of Galway (Fully Funded)

First-Time Participation

• Participants must be first-time students in the Purdue SURF program
• Second-time participation is possible only with explicit support from your Principal Investigator (PI)
• Note for second-time participants:
  • Not eligible for EURO housing or travel subsidy
  • First-time participants receive priority if departmental funding is limited

Application Requirements

Required Documents

• Academic CV or resume
• Unofficial university transcript

Letter of Recommendation

• Non-Purdue students ONLY: One letter of recommendation from a professor or professional you have worked closely with (must be uploaded by the application deadline)

Check this: INSAIT Graduate Research Fellowship in Bulgaria

Statement of Purpose

Your statement should address the following points:

• Describe the experiences that led you to pursue your current field of study and why you continue to pursue it
• Mention any significant questions or problems in your field that you find particularly intriguing
• Explain what attracted you to SURF specifically and how this program aligns with your interests
• Outline your long-term career aspirations within STEM and how SURF will contribute to achieving these goals
• Describe what you have done so far to explore your field of interest (coursework, projects, internships, clubs, organizations)
• Highlight achievements or experiences that demonstrate your commitment and readiness for research
• Discuss any obstacles you’ve encountered in pursuing higher education or research and how you’ve overcome them

Research Project Selection

• Browse the SURF project list to discover available undergraduate research positions
• Select up to three projects of interest in your application
• Connect with Purdue professors to discuss research interests and explore opportunities in their labs
• New projects are added regularly, so check back frequently
• You can update your project selections through April 15

Check this: St. Gallen Global Essay Competition 2026 – Fully Funded Trip to Switzerland

Housing & Travel Assistance

Housing Arrangements

• All students are expected to secure their own housing
• Recommended options include Summer Residences Housing and Summer Intern Housing available on campus

Housing Subsidy Eligibility

• Non-Purdue students: Automatically qualify for the housing subsidy upon acceptance
• Purdue students: Must apply by the January 15 priority deadline to be evaluated for the housing subsidy

Travel Subsidy Eligibility

Travel assistance is available only for students participating at a location other than their home university:

• Non-Purdue students coming to either West Lafayette or Indianapolis campus
• Purdue Indianapolis students coming to West Lafayette
• Purdue West Lafayette students coming to Indianapolis

Important: Non-Purdue students must apply by the January 15 priority deadline to qualify for the travel subsidy.

How to apply?

• First you will need to check the available projects and contact the faculty member. Check the list here.
• You will need to apply online based on that project.