Stanford University USA Summer Fellowship

SURF Bay Area is an eight-week summer research program that brings 15 undergraduate students to Stanford Engineering for an immersive research and graduate school preparation experience. Stanford University School of Engineering presents SURF Bay Area as dedicated to broadening access to high-impact research experiences, including preparation intended to demystify the graduate admissions process and help fellows understand graduate-level research.

SURF Bay Area invites eligible students to apply, with particular emphasis on first-generation and/or low-income students, and students from campus environments with limited access to research opportunities and graduate school preparation. The program is positioned for students with a committed interest in pursuing graduate study toward a PhD in an engineering field, and it is held in person at Stanford University for students able to commute daily.

Applicants submit application materials including a resume or CV, an academic transcript, and a statement of purpose focused on academic preparation and current research interests, with an emphasis on doctoral-level (PhD) training. An interview is not a standard part of the SURF application process. Emailed and/or incomplete applications are not reviewed, and all applicants are notified of a decision in the second week of March.

Support includes an 8-week summer research experience in a Stanford Engineering lab group, graduate school preparation, mentorship and networking, community-building and cohort events, and a research symposium. Weekly cohort meals are provided, and health insurance coverage is provided if needed. Housing, transportation, and meal costs are not covered by the program, and students receive a $6,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program.

• Be at least 18 years old.Be a currently-enrolled full-time non-Stanford undergraduate student at an accredited public or private college or university located in the United States.Independently arrange your own housing, meals, transportation to the Bay Area, and daily transportation to Stanford's campus.Domestic students who attend colleges or universities outside the Bay Area and meet all other eligibility criteria are eligible to apply.Full-time community college students in their transfer year are eligible to apply.Admission for community college students is contingent upon receiving transfer admission offer(s) and demonstrated intention to matriculate at a four-year college or university in Fall 2026.Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better.Applicants may be considered if they describe exceptional circumstances in their statement of purpose and/or demonstrate a marked progression of improving grades.Demonstrate a committed interest in pursuing graduate study toward a PhD in an engineering field.If you plan on pursuing an MD, MD-PhD, JD, MBA, or other non-research-focused advanced degree, this is not the right program for you.Be a rising junior or non-graduating senior who has completed sophomore year of undergraduate study (4 semesters or 6 quarters) and has at least one full semester/quarter remaining of undergraduate study at the end of the summer program.Master's students and doctoral students are not eligible.Be fully available and able to independently arrange housing, meals, and transportation to Stanford's campus for the entirety of the program.SURF Bay Area Fellows may not be enrolled in summer courses, internships, or be employed while participating in the program.International applicants are not eligible for 2026 SURF Bay Area.

• 8-week summer research experience in a Stanford Engineering lab group.Graduate school preparation.Mentorship and networking.Community-building and cohort events on Stanford's campus.Research Symposium.Weekly cohort meals provided.Health insurance coverage, if needed.Stanford University summer registration costs covered.$6,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program.Housing, transportation, and meal costs will not be covered by the program.

1. Submit an application through the SURF Bay Area application portal (“Apply Here!”).Ensure the application is submitted by Feb 3, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.Do not submit via email and do not submit incomplete applications, since emailed and/or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.Complete the required application materials: resume or CV, academic transcript, statement of purpose, and one letter of recommendation; optionally submit an Enhancing the Learning Community (ELC) statement.After submission, all applicants are notified of a decision in the second week of March.

• Resume or CV (typed, single-spaced, 1-2 pages).Academic Transcript (unofficial transcript will suffice; official transcript not necessary).Statement of Purpose (typed, single-spaced, 1-2 pages; focuses on academic preparation and goals with emphasis on current research interests and interest in doctoral-level PhD training).One Letter of Recommendation.Enhancing the Learning Community (Optional, Strongly Encouraged) statement (typed, single-spaced, 500 words).