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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

2025 SURF Program

Application will be open on USAjobs.com in mid-October 2024.

Application closes on Jan 31, 2025.

Program dates TBD.

Locations: NIST campuses in Gaithersburg, MD and Boulder, CO; the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, SC; and Virtually.

In 2024, 151 undergraduates from over 90 different schools, representing states and territories across the United States, participated in the NIST SURF program.

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