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International and Academic Affairs Office /Academic Affairs Office

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

2018 State Technology and Science Index (STSI) Sustaining America’s Innovation Economy
Frequently Asked Questions
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How to Apply

Upcoming Deadlines

The 2025 SURF applications are open! 

Applications accepted until 11:59 pm ET on January 31, 2025.

  • NIST extends offers via email from March 1 -  April 15 
    • Due to a waiting list process, successful applicants must accept promptly after receiving an offer
  • Visit our FAQ page for more information
  • If you submitted your application before the closing date and are receiving a message on USAJOBS that your application was not submitted, you likely did not use the final return to USAJOBS link when you finished your application. This final step syncs our system up with USAJOBS and notifies them your application was completed.  Please follow all steps in the 'How to Apply' section of our SURF Application page

SURF 2025 Program Dates

  • Main 11-week program: May 19 – Aug 1
  •  Alternatives to accommodate various academic calendars
    • Offset 11-week program: : June 2 – Aug 15
    • 9-week program: June 2 – Aug 1
CNST
SURF student Mattie Watson studying nanoscale-sized devices in the nanofabrication laboratory of the Physical Measurement Laboratory. 

NIST summer interns have improved MRI technology, studied medications, and more. Spend your summer with us for 11 weeks of hands-on lab experience with world-class mentors in one of NIST’s six labs or other offices. 

What You’ll Get  

In 2025, we expect to provide $7,810 for the 11-week summer stipend ($710 per week). If you’re participating in person, you’ll need to find your own housing. We will share a list of affordable housing options when you’re selected. Limited financial assistance for housing ($4,500) and travel (up to $500) is available for students who need to relocate for the summer. In-person local participants may receive support for commuting (varies) assistance.

Eligibility and Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident able to provide proof on your application. You must be a full-time undergraduate student in an accredited two-year or four-year college in the U.S. First-year undergraduates and graduating seniors (seniors participating in the Winter or Spring Commencement) are eligible and encouraged to apply to the program.

Participants will work 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday during business hours). You must also: 

  • Pass a background check 
  • Provide proof of health insurance 
  • Receive your payments by direct deposit 
  • Be at least 18 years old 

How to Apply

Apply to the SURF program through USAJobs. All documents are required and must be submitted for consideration. Please submit your documents as PDF files if possible. Detailed instructions are available in the program FAQs. 

Contact Us

surf [at] nist.gov (surf[at]nist[dot]gov)

Taking Measure Blog Posts from SURF Students

Contacts