Stanford Engineering SURF Fellowship 2027: Stipend, Dates

Stanford SURF Fellowship 2027: Stipend, Eligibility, Apply

Facts checked: against the official notice at engineering.stanford.edu on 8 November 2026.

Quick Summary

Stanford Engineering will close applications for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027 on Feb 1, 2027 at 11:59pm PT, as per the official notification on the Stanford Engineering SURF page. The full-time summer fellowship supports currently enrolled, full-time non-Stanford undergraduates at accredited US colleges and universities who intend to pursue a PhD in engineering. It particularly seeks applicants who are first-generation, low-income, or studying where research access is limited.

Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027: Overview

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027 is an eight-week, full-time summer research placement hosted by Stanford Engineering for non-Stanford undergraduates considering doctoral study in engineering.

As per the official notification, the programme runs June 21 - August 13, 2027 and requires full availability for that entire period without concurrent courses, internships or employment. Stanford Engineering lists 15 fellow positions for currently enrolled undergraduates, and applications are accepted in online mode only. The focus is preparation for an engineering PhD, not professional degrees or non-engineering doctorates.

Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027 Fellowship Benefits

SURF 2027 is a fully funded residential fellowship organised by Stanford Engineering for the summer research period.

Selected fellows receive:

• Transportation to and from Stanford covered by the programme
• On-campus housing fully covered for the fellowship period
• Meals fully covered for the fellowship period
• Summer registration covered by the programme
• $6,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program
• Health insurance coverage if needed during the fellowship period

Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Only non-Stanford US-based undergraduates on an engineering-PhD track who can commit to a full, uninterrupted summer meet the criteria.

• At least 18 years old
• Currently-enrolled, full-time, non-Stanford undergraduate at accredited US college or university; full-time community college students in transfer year eligible contingent on transfer offer and intent to matriculate at 4-year university in Fall 2027
• Good academic standing with GPA 3.0 or better, with possible consideration for exceptional circumstances or improving grades
• Committed interest in pursuing PhD in engineering field; not for MD, MD-PhD, JD, MBA or non-engineering PhD
• Rising junior or non-graduating senior who completed sophomore year with at least one semester/quarter remaining after summer; master's and doctoral students not eligible
• Fully available June 21 - August 13, 2027 and not enrolled in summer courses, internships or employment
• CPT-approved international applicants studying and living full-time in US eligible; those living or matriculated outside US not eligible

Who the fellowship is and is not for

Stanford students, masters and doctoral students, and students who will have graduated with no term remaining after summer are outside scope. The pathway is for rising juniors or non-graduating seniors who have finished sophomore year and retain at least one semester or quarter after the summer. Full-time community-college students in a transfer year may qualify only with a transfer offer and intent to matriculate at a four-year university in Fall 2027.

Academic standing, age and career intent

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better, though the notice allows possible consideration for exceptional circumstances or improving grades. The stated purpose is committed interest in a PhD in an engineering field; applicants aiming for MD, MD-PhD, JD, MBA or a non-engineering PhD are not the intended cohort.

Residence and availability

International applicants studying and living full-time in the US who are CPT-approved may be eligible. This means Indian citizens enrolled full-time at an accredited US college or university can apply if they meet all other conditions and CPT requirements, while students living or matriculated outside the US cannot. All selected fellows must be fully available for the summer period described above, with no summer courses, internships or other employment.

Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027 Important Dates and Deadline

The SURF 2027 cycle opens on Nov 1, 2026. The official last date to apply is Feb 1, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. PT. For reference in India, this closing corresponds to about 1:29 p.m. IST on Feb 2.

The official schedule also lists Virtual Info Sessions in Pacific Time on Nov 10 from 9-10 a.m., Dec 17 from 3-4 p.m., and Jan 12 from 9-10 a.m., and Application Office Hours on Jan 29 from 10-11 a.m. PT to help applicants prepare their submissions.

Results are expected in mid-March. Applicants should complete submission and ensure both recommendations are received before the Pacific Time closing.

Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027 Documents Required

The file set consists of academic records, written statements and independent recommendations submitted through the online form.

• Resume or CV - 1-2 pages
• Academic transcript - unofficial accepted
• Statement of Purpose - 1-2 pages
• Two letters of recommendation
• Enhancing the Learning Community statement - optional, 500 words

What each file should do

The resume or CV frames coursework, lab or project exposure and technical skills relevant to engineering research. The unofficial transcript confirms enrolment, standing and preparation; the fact that an unofficial copy is accepted removes the need to order a sealed copy for this stage. The statement of purpose connects past preparation to engineering PhD goals and to why a Stanford Engineering lab match matters.

Recommendations and optional statement

Two letters of recommendation provide outside assessment, so applicants need two writers who have seen academic or research work and can submit by the same closing point. The Enhancing the Learning Community statement is marked optional and carries its own word limit. It is the place to explain first-generation background, limited prior research access, community contributions or other context not covered in the statement of purpose. The checklist under How to Apply reflects the page and word limits for each upload.

How to Apply for Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027

Applications for SURF 2027 are invited in online mode through the SURF section of the official website.

What the application form on engineering.stanford.edu asks for

• Fields (* = required): Search this site

1. Open the Stanford Engineering SURF page and follow the official application link for the 2027 cycle.
2. Apply through SlideRoom. Applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents and also wish to be considered under SR-EIP should use the SR-EIP route as instructed in the official notice.
3. Create a new account or log in and select the correct route before starting the form, as SR-EIP consideration is only for US citizens and permanent residents.
4. Complete the eligibility, personal-information and education sections, including current enrolment and availability for June 21 to August 13, 2027.
5. Upload the resume or CV of 1-2 pages, unofficial academic transcript and statement of purpose of 1-2 pages within the limits shown in the portal.
6. Upload the optional Enhancing the Learning Community statement of 500 words, if applicable.
7. Register two recommenders with correct names and institutional email addresses so the recommendation requests are sent from the system.
8. Review every section for mismatched names, truncated uploads and missing recommender entries, then submit before Feb 1, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Applications sent by email and incomplete applications are not reviewed, so save the confirmation and track receipt of both letters.

Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027: Tips and Common Mistakes

Common mistakes and rejection reasons

• Applications sent by email are not reviewed. You must submit a complete application through the official portal. (engineering.stanford.edu)
• Do not use the Leadership Alliance SR-EIP route unless you are a US citizen or permanent resident. Others must use SlideRoom. (menademocracy.com)
• You must participate full-time and cannot combine SURF with summer classes, internships or other jobs. (menademocracy.com)

Tips from the organisation and past applicants

• You must already be a full-time undergraduate at a US-located college, and Stanford's own undergraduates are excluded. Students studying in India without US enrolment cannot apply. (engineering.stanford.edu)
• Do not rely on generic lists calling SURF simply open to international students. Verified comparison puts it in the group requiring enrolment at a US institution regardless of nationality. (scholarshipinfocenter.com)
• Full-time community-college students are eligible only in their transfer year. (engineering.stanford.edu)
• Do not skip the optional personal history statement. Reviewers strongly encourage a 1-2 page account of the experiences and values shaping your path. (menademocracy.com)

From earlier cycles

• In 2025, fellows received a $5,500 stipend upon successful completion. (menademocracy.com)

Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2027 Important Links

All actions for SURF 2027 run through Stanford Engineering's own pages.

Use the apply online link in the table to reach the current-cycle form and the programme description that as per the official notification governs eligibility, documents and timing. Refer to the official notification for the full text behind the summary tables, since no separate portal or notice PDF is listed. The same entry point covers guidelines for recommenders and the optional statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Stanford University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)?

SURF is a summer fellowship run by Stanford Engineering for non-Stanford undergraduates in the US who are interested in an engineering PhD and research career, especially first-generation, low-income students or those with limited research access.

What is the last date to apply for Stanford SURF 2027?

Applications opened on November 1, 2026 and the last date to submit the online application is February 1, 2027 at 11:59 pm PT.

Who is eligible to apply for Stanford SURF 2027?

Applicants must be at least 18, enrolled full-time as non-Stanford undergraduates at an accredited US college with 3.0 GPA or better, and be rising juniors or non-graduating seniors interested in an engineering PhD. They must be fully available from June 21 to August 13, 2027; master's and doctoral students are not eligible.

What stipend do Stanford SURF 2027 Fellows receive?

Selected Fellows get a $6,000 stipend on successfully completing the programme.

How do I apply for Stanford SURF 2027?

You have to apply online with a 1-2 page resume or CV, unofficial academic transcript, 1-2 page Statement of Purpose and two letters of recommendation, along with an optional 500-word Enhancing the Learning Community statement.

When will the Stanford SURF 2027 results be announced?

The SURF 2027 results are expected to be announced in mid-March.