Caltech Summer Research Program 2026 in the USA (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURF) 2026 in the United States. This prestigious and fully funded 10-week research internship welcomes both international students and U.S. citizens.

Hosted by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California, the SURF program allows students to conduct research under the supervision of expert faculty and mentors. There is no application fee, and students from around the world are highly encouraged to apply. Over 85% of applicants get selected, making it one of the most successful undergraduate research programs globally.

Program Details

Host Country	USA
Host Institution	California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Program Duration	10 Weeks
Start Date	Mid-June 2026
Financial Coverage	Fully Funded
Deadline	22nd February 2026

Financial Benefits

All selected participants will receive a $8,110 stipend, which is designed to cover:

Round-trip airfare
Accommodation
Meals
Visa fees (if applicable)
Other personal expenses

Note: International students will have their full funding covered by their mentors.

Program Activities

During the 10-week program, participants can expect:

Weekly lectures by Caltech professors and JPL (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory) scientists
Academic and professional development workshops
Science communication training
Social, cultural, and networking events
Small student-faculty dinner sessions

What You Will Do as a SURF Fellow

Project Collaboration: Work with a potential mentor to plan and design a research project.
Proposal Writing: Submit a detailed research proposal.
Faculty Review: Proposals are evaluated by faculty members.
Research Execution: Conduct full-time research over the summer.

Fields of Research

Students can apply to various fields within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Candidates are encouraged to explore faculty profiles and find suitable mentors before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must: