If you are an undergraduate student hoping to gain serious research experience at one of the world’s leading science and engineering institutions, the Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) programme is an opportunity worth exploring.
The programme offers undergraduate students the chance to work on a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Unlike a typical summer internship, SURF is built around a research project. Students are expected to develop a proposal, work closely with a mentor, take intellectual ownership of their project, and produce research that could potentially contribute to publication in a refereed journal.
For students who are considering graduate school, research careers, or further study in science, engineering, and related fields, this kind of experience can be particularly valuable.
But there is one important detail applicants need to understand before starting: you must identify and receive approval from a Caltech faculty mentor before submitting your application.
This is not a programme where you simply complete an online form and wait to be assigned a professor.
The mentor is central to the application process. They must agree to support your application, help you develop the research project and proposal, and contribute financially to your award.
In this guide, I’ll walk through the Caltech SURF application process, including how to find a mentor, prepare a research proposal, request recommendation letters, and understand what the selection committee is looking for.
Caltech SURF 2027: Programme Overview
Here are the key details from the application information.
| Programme Detail | Information |
| Programme Name | Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) |
| Host Institution | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
| Programme Type | Undergraduate summer research fellowship |
| Research Duration | 10 weeks |
| Application Deadline | 22 February |
| Award Announcement | 1 April |
| Application System | SFP Online |
| Research Mentor | Caltech faculty mentor required |
| Research Proposal | Required |
| Recommendation Letters | Two confidential letters |
| Transcript | Unofficial transcript required for visiting students |
| Official Application Information | https://sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduate-research/programs/surf/application_information |
The application page refers to the SURF 2027 application portal. Applicants should confirm the current cycle’s dates and requirements on the official Caltech website before submitting.
What Is the Caltech SURF Programme?
The Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships programme gives undergraduate students an opportunity to carry out research under the guidance of a Caltech faculty mentor.
The programme is intended to be more than a summer job or a short-term work placement.
Students are expected to engage with a research question, understand the scientific or intellectual background behind it, and develop a plan for investigating it.
The project should provide meaningful intellectual and creative work, and the programme identifies the potential for publication in refereed literature as a benchmark for a suitable project.
That does not mean every SURF project will necessarily result in a published paper. Rather, it means the project should be substantial enough to contribute meaningfully to research in the field.
For applicants, this is a useful distinction. If you are applying, you should be thinking about the research question you want to investigate, not simply the department or university where you want to spend the summer.
Who Can Apply for Caltech SURF?
The application information includes requirements for both Caltech students and visiting students.
The exact eligibility requirements should be checked on the official programme website, but the application process specifically mentions visiting students who are not enrolled at Caltech.
For visiting applicants, an unofficial transcript must be submitted with the application.
If an award is offered, the student will then be required to arrange for an official transcript to be sent by their college or university.
The application information also makes clear that applicants must have a suitable research project and the support of a Caltech faculty mentor.
Before beginning, I would review the official eligibility information and make sure that I meet the requirements for the relevant applicant category.
The Most Important Step: Find a Caltech Faculty Mentor Before Applying
This is the part of the SURF application process that deserves the most attention.
The programme requires applicants to identify and contact a research mentor in advance. A Caltech faculty mentor must:
Agree to support your application.
Help you develop and define a research project.
Assist you in writing the research proposal.
Agree to financially contribute to your award.
The programme explicitly says not to submit an application before receiving approval from a faculty mentor.
This means the application process begins well before the online form.
Why Finding a Mentor Matters
A research mentor is not simply someone who agrees to supervise you after you have been selected.
The mentor is involved in developing the proposed project and evaluating whether the work is suitable for the SURF programme.
The application is also reviewed by a faculty member in the project field, so the proposed research needs to be academically meaningful and technically specific.
For this reason, I would treat the mentor search as a central part of the application rather than an optional preliminary step.
How I Would Find a Potential Caltech Mentor
If I were preparing a SURF application, I would begin by looking for faculty members whose research genuinely connects with my academic interests.
I would not start by emailing every professor in a department. Instead, I would:
- Identify the research area I want to explore.
- Search Caltech’s official faculty and research pages.
- Read the descriptions of faculty research.
- Identify researchers whose work connects to my interests and preparation.
- Review relevant publications or research project descriptions.
- Contact a small number of faculty members with a tailored message.
The goal is to identify a research fit. For example, if your academic background is in physics and you are interested in a particular research topic, look for faculty whose work addresses that topic.
If you are interested in biology, engineering, chemistry, computer science, or another field, use the same approach: identify a specific research area and find faculty members whose projects connect to it.
What If You Are Not a Caltech Student?
The programme notes that non-Caltech students may have more difficulty finding a mentor. It suggests using your academic network.
This could mean asking faculty members or graduate students at your home university whether they know researchers at Caltech.
A professor who has collaborated with a Caltech faculty member may be able to introduce you or contact them on your behalf. That is often a more targeted approach than sending cold emails without any context.
The programme also warns applicants not to send broad, spam-like emails. Your message should explain why you are interested in the specific faculty member’s research.
How to Contact a Potential Research Mentor
The programme does not provide a universal email template, but it does make clear that contact should be tailored to the faculty member’s research.
If I were writing to a potential mentor, I would keep the message focused.
I would briefly introduce myself, explain my academic background, identify the research topic that interests me, and ask whether they might be willing to discuss a possible SURF project.
I would also make it clear that I understand the programme requires the mentor’s approval before an application can be submitted. A useful message should make it easy for the professor to understand:
Who you are.
What you are studying.
Which research area interests you.
Why their work is relevant to your interests.
Whether you are seeking a SURF research opportunity.
Avoid sending a message that simply says you want to work at Caltech and asks the professor to provide any available project.
The application information specifically encourages applicants to explain why they are interested in the research of the particular faculty member they contact.
What Kind of Research Project Should You Propose?
The programme states that the most important factor in selecting a project is your enthusiasm for the project itself and for working with the mentor.
Students are not limited to research within their current academic option. SURF can provide an opportunity to explore another field.
However, the proposed project should have significant intellectual and creative content. The programme identifies the potential for publication in refereed literature as a benchmark for a suitable project.
Your Project Should Be More Than a Summer Job
A suitable research project should involve a meaningful question or problem.
It should give the student an opportunity to think critically, contribute ideas, and develop research skills.
A project that only involves routine tasks without a clear intellectual component may not fit the programme’s stated expectations.
The Project Must Be Realistic for 10 Weeks
The selection criteria state that the proposed project must be reasonably achievable within a 10-week period.
This is an important point when working with a mentor to define your research question.
A project can be interesting and ambitious, but it still needs to have a manageable scope. If I were developing a project with a potential mentor, I would want to understand:
What is the main research question?
What work has already been completed?
What will I be responsible for during the summer?
What methods or techniques will I use?
What result or research contribution could reasonably be achieved in 10 weeks?
The answers to these questions will help you develop a more focused proposal.
How to Write a Strong Caltech SURF Research Proposal
The research proposal is one of the most important parts of the application.
The programme says the proposal should be as technical and specific as possible because it will be read by people in the field.
The proposal must explain what you plan to do and why the work will be useful. It should include:
Theoretical background.
Experimental techniques or research methods.
How the work fits into the current research field.
A work plan for the project.
The proposal is reviewed by the mentor and a faculty member in the project field.
1. Explain the Research Background
Start by explaining the research problem and the context in which it exists. The reader should understand what question your project addresses and why that question matters.
This section should demonstrate that you have a basic understanding of the research area.
Avoid writing a broad introduction that spends most of its space explaining the entire field. Focus on the background that is directly relevant to your proposed project.
2. Define the Research Question
The proposal should make clear what you intend to investigate. A focused research question is easier to evaluate than a broad statement about wanting to explore an entire scientific field.
For example, rather than proposing to study a whole area of biology, explain the specific question or problem you will investigate within that area.
Your mentor can help you define a question that is technically appropriate and realistic for the summer.
3. Explain the Research Methods
The proposal should outline the experimental techniques or methods you plan to use.
The level of detail should be appropriate for the field and the project. The application information asks applicants to be technical and specific.
That means you should explain the methods that are relevant to the proposed research rather than simply saying you will conduct experiments or analyse data.
Your mentor can help ensure that the proposed methods accurately reflect the research plan.
4. Explain How the Project Fits Into Existing Research
The proposal should show how the project relates to other work in the field. This is important because research does not happen in isolation.
A strong proposal should demonstrate that you understand the broader research context and can explain why the proposed work is useful.
You should be able to identify what the project builds on and what it could contribute.
5. Include a Work Plan
The programme specifically requires a work plan.
Because the project must be achievable within 10 weeks, the work plan should show how you intend to approach the project over the summer.
It could identify the main stages of the work, such as:
Reviewing the relevant research background.
Learning or applying the required methods.
Conducting the planned research.
Analysing results.
Preparing research presentations or reports.
The exact plan will depend on the project.
The important point is to demonstrate that the project has a realistic structure and that the proposed activities can be completed within the programme period.
What Does Caltech Look for in SURF Applications?
The application information identifies several selection criteria.
Understanding these criteria can help you prepare an application that addresses what the programme is looking for.
1. A Clear Research Proposal
The proposal should demonstrate that you understand the nature and purpose of the project.
It should explain how the work relates to other research in the field and include a work plan for achieving the project goals.
2. A Project With Intellectual Ownership
The proposed project should allow the student to take intellectual ownership.
This means the project should provide an opportunity for the student to make a meaningful contribution rather than simply carry out routine tasks.
The project should also have the potential for publication in refereed literature.
3. A Project That Can Be Completed in 10 Weeks
The proposed work must be reasonably achievable within the programme’s 10-week duration.
A project that is too broad may be difficult to complete within the available time. The scope should be developed with the mentor.
4. Preparation for the Research
The selection committee considers whether the applicant is prepared for the proposed project.
Relevant preparation may include coursework, research experience, or other academic experience.
If you are proposing a project that uses methods or techniques you have not studied before, explain your current preparation and how the project fits your academic development.
5. Supportive Mentor and Faculty Evaluations
The programme considers the mentor’s evaluation and faculty recommendations.
This is another reason it is important to develop a research project with a faculty mentor who understands your interests and is willing to support your application.
6. Stronger Applications for Returning SURF Students
Students who have participated in SURF before are expected to submit stronger applications that reflect their prior research experience.
If you are a returning SURF student, your proposal should demonstrate a higher level of depth than would be expected of someone with no previous SURF experience.
Required Application Documents
All application documents must be submitted directly through the SFP Online system. The application contains the following components.
1. Online Application
Applicants must complete the online application through the SFP Online system.
Make sure you follow the instructions in the portal and provide the information requested.
2. Research Proposal
The student must write and upload a research proposal. The proposal should be developed with the support of the Caltech faculty mentor.
It must outline the research plan, background, methods, relevance, and work plan.
3. Unofficial Transcript for Visiting Students
Applicants who are not Caltech students must submit an unofficial transcript at the time of application.
If an award is offered, the applicant will then be asked to arrange for an official transcript to be sent by their home university.
4. Two Confidential Recommendation Letters
Two confidential recommendation letters are required. At least one letter must be from a faculty member.
The other recommender may be an instructor, graduate teaching assistant, research assistant, residence life staff member, coach, or another person who can speak to the applicant’s strengths.
Upperclass students are encouraged to ask professors in their field for both recommendations.
If you have previously completed a research project with another mentor, that mentor should write one of your recommendations.
How to Request Recommendation Letters
Recommendation letters are submitted directly through the online system. Applicants enter the recommender’s contact information into their SFP Online account.
The recommender is then emailed directly and asked to submit the recommendation. The letters are confidential.
Who Should Write Your Recommendations?
The programme requires at least one faculty recommendation. For the second letter, choose someone who can speak meaningfully about your academic or research strengths.
If you have completed a research project before, a previous research mentor may be a particularly relevant recommender.
The key is that the recommender should be able to provide a useful evaluation of your preparation and potential.
Submit Recommender Information Early
Recommendation letters are due on 22 February, along with the application. This means applicants should enter recommender information well before the deadline.
I would not wait until the final days to ask someone to write a letter. The recommender needs time to receive the request, prepare the letter, and submit it through the online system.
Important Rule About Your SURF Mentor and Recommendations
The prospective Caltech mentor will complete a separate evaluation. The mentor should not write one of your recommendation letters.
This is an important distinction because the mentor’s evaluation is a separate part of the application process.
Applicants should therefore identify two recommenders in addition to their prospective SURF mentor.
Statement on Generative AI
The Caltech Student-Faculty Programs office states that applicants should consult their mentor or the SFP office about policies related to generative AI tools.
Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026: A Fully Funded Opportunity
This applies to application documents, research proposals or project plans, interim reports, and final reports. The programme states that any usage that is not specifically permitted is not allowed.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that AI tools are permitted for writing or editing their proposal.
If you are unsure about a particular use, ask your mentor or the SFP office before using the tool. The proposal should reflect your own understanding of the research and comply with the programme’s stated policies.
Application Deadline and Award Announcement
The SURF application deadline is 22 February. The programme states that applications and recommendation letters are due by this date.
The award announcement is scheduled for 1 April. Applicants will receive an email notification about the outcome of their application.
Students who receive an award will also receive instructions and forms required to accept it.
The application information does not specify the award amount, so applicants should consult the official programme page for details about funding and award conditions.
Step-by-Step Caltech SURF Application Checklist
If I were preparing a SURF application, I would work through the process in this order.
Before Starting the Online Application
Review the official SURF application information.
Confirm your eligibility.
Identify research areas that interest you.
Search for Caltech faculty members working in those areas.
Contact potential mentors with tailored messages.
Discuss a possible research project.
Obtain approval from a Caltech faculty mentor.
Work with the mentor to define the project and proposal.
Before the Application Deadline
Complete the SFP Online application.
Upload your research proposal.
Upload your unofficial transcript if you are a visiting student.
Enter the contact details of two recommenders.
Confirm that at least one recommender is a faculty member.
Confirm that your recommenders have received the online request.
Check that the mentor evaluation process is underway.
Review the application for completeness.
Submit the application by 22 February.
After Submitting
Monitor your email for programme communications.
Respond to any required follow-up.
Wait for the award announcement on 1 April.
If selected, review the award acceptance instructions and required forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to Caltech SURF without a mentor?
No. Applicants must identify and receive approval from a Caltech faculty mentor before submitting an application.
Can visiting students apply?
The application information includes a process for visiting students who are not enrolled at Caltech.
Visiting applicants must submit an unofficial transcript at the time of application. Check the official eligibility information to confirm that you meet the requirements.
Do I need a research proposal?
Yes. Applicants must submit a research proposal written by the student and uploaded to the application.
The proposal should be developed with the help of the faculty mentor.
How many recommendation letters are required?
Two confidential recommendation letters are required. At least one must be from a faculty member.
Can my SURF mentor write one of my recommendation letters?
No. The prospective Caltech mentor completes a separate evaluation and should not write a recommendation letter.
When is the application deadline?
The application and recommendation letters are due on 22 February.
When will the results be announced?
Awards are scheduled to be announced on 1 April.
How long is the research programme?
The proposed project must be reasonably achievable within a 10-week period.
Summary
The Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships programme is an opportunity for undergraduate students to gain meaningful research experience under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
But the application process is different from many other summer programmes.
The most important step is to find a mentor and develop a suitable research project before submitting the online application.
The proposal must be technically specific, the research plan must be realistic for 10 weeks, and the project should allow the student to take intellectual ownership.
If I were preparing an application, I would begin with the research area that genuinely interests me, identify Caltech faculty whose work connects to that area, and contact them with a focused explanation of why I want to work with them.
Once a mentor has agreed to support the application, I would work closely with them to develop the research question and proposal.
That approach follows the structure of the programme itself: SURF is built around a research project, not simply a summer placement.
Official Application Information
Caltech SURF Application Information
Access the application portal through the official Caltech SURF application information page.
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