International Internship for Engineering Students

Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program introduces students to research under the guidance of seasoned research mentors at Caltech and JPL. Students experience the process of research as a creative intellectual activity.

SURF is modeled on the grant-seeking process:

• Students collaborate with potential mentors to define and develop a project
• Applicants write research proposals for their projects
• Faculty review the proposals and recommend awards
• Students carry out the work over a 10-week period during the summer
• At the conclusion of the program, students submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation at one of several SURF Seminar Days, symposia modeled on a professional technical meeting.

Fellows receive a $6,000 award for the ten-week period. Award payments are distributed in equal installments in late June and late July.
To enrich the research experience, SURF Fellows are invited to attend the following:

• Be a continuing undergraduate student
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
• Complete the third term at Caltech, or at another school under a program approved by a Dean
• Be eligible for fall term registration before beginning your SURF project and no later than July 10
• Not be under any academic or disciplinary sanction

Eligibility Requirements for Visiting (Non-Caltech) Students

To be eligible for SURF, you must:

• Be a continuing undergraduate student and eligible for fall term registration*
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5/4.0
• Complete the second semester or third quarter at your college or university
• Not be under any academic or disciplinary sanction

* Students need to be matriculated in a degree-granting undergraduate program. High school students who are co-enrolled in college courses are not eligible.

** Students from the University of Iceland or from one of the following Cambridge colleges (St. John’s, St. Catherine’s, Corpus Christi, or Pembroke) may only apply to SURF through the established exchange programs with these schools. Please contact your school to find out more information.
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Additional Requirements for Visiting (non-Caltech) International Students

International students are eligible to participate in SURF on the Caltech campus; however, only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are eligible for SURFs at JPL. If SURF award is made, international students will be given instructions on how to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa abroad prior to participation in SURF.  International students currently attending a college or university in the U.S. must secure special off-campus employment authorization prior to participation in SURF. F-1 students must apply for either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT); J-1 students must apply for Academic Training.  Please consult an International Student Advisor at your current U.S. institution as soon as you apply for SURF to understand your school’s requirements and deadlines for authorizing off-campus work authorization.  CPT, OPT, or Academic Training must be approved by your home institution prior to beginning your SURF placement.  OPT approval may take in excess of three months.