Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

DEADLINE: February 15, 2012 (5:00 PM EST)

Curious about physics, electronics, manufacturing, chemistry, materials science, or structural engineering?  Intrigued by nanotechnology, fire research, information technology, or robotics?  Interested in biotechnology or biometrics?  Here's your chance to explore your passion!

Spend part of your summer working elbow-to-elbow with researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), one of the world's leading research organizations and home to three Nobel Prize winners, through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program.  Gain valuable hands-on experience, work with cutting-edge technology, meet peers from across the nation, and explore the Washington, D.C. or Boulder, CO area.

SURF students work at NIST for 11 weeks*, contributing to an ongoing research project under the guidance of a NIST scientist or engineer from one of the Institute's major laboratories (Physical Measurements, Engineering, Material Measurements, Information Technology, Neutron Research, and Nanoscale Science).  In addition to your personal project, you'll have a chance to tour labs and attend a weekly lecture series on diverse research projects.  Participants will receive a $5,500 stipend and travel and housing allowances (as necessary).

SURF is a competitive program.  Basic eligibility requirements include: U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA, demonstrated potential for success and an interest in pursuing graduate study.  Approximately 130 fellowships are awarded each year for the Gaithersburg, MD program and another 22 for the Boulder, CO program.  Each NIST site has its own application process; if you are interested in projects at both sites, you will need to submit two applications (one for each site).

For more information and application information, visit www.nist.gov/surfgaithersburg.  Abstracts from the 2011 SURF program can be found at www.nist.gov/surfgaithersburg/upload/SURFPromoBook2012.pdf 

If you have any questions, please address them to NIST_SURF_program@nist.gov   

*The Gaithersburg, MD program runs from May 24 through August 9, 2012; the Boulder, CO program runs from May 21 through August 3, 2012.