Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) - A REU in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
University of California San Diego
Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Application Deadline Monday, March 15
Apply Now

Applications will be available on Monday, January 25 for the 2021 Program.
Applications will be due on Monday, March 15 and decisions sent to applicants by Friday, March 26.

General Info

The Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a NSF-REU summer research program that invites undergraduate students from across the country to Scripps Institution of Oceanography to participate in high quality collaborative research with Scripps faculty and researchers. Program components include a comprehensive research project, research seminars, career workshops, graduate school preparation, field trips and social events, and participation in a research symposium. The goal of the SURF program is to attract and retain a diverse pool of talented undergraduate students into graduate school and careers in ocean sciences.

Link to student profiles from last year

Link to faculty mentors and projects for summer 2021

For full information about the program, please see our website

Program Highlights

  • $6,000 stipend
  • On-campus housing or housing allowance
  • Travel to and from San Diego
  • Hands-on research experience
  • Weekly research development workshops
  • Career panels
  • Tips on graduate school and applications
  • Field trips, research seminars, and social events
  • Because of COVID-19, many of our summer 2020 projects were remote. At this time we are hoping to return to in-person projects for summer 2021 but a final decision will not be made until closer to the start date

Eligibility Requirements

  • Participation is limited to currently enrolled, full-time, undergraduate students.
  • Student who have graduated before the start of summer 2021 are NOT ELIGIBLE. Students who are graduating in fall 2021 or after are eligible.
  • Participation is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
  • Students from underrepresented groups, students who have NOT had previous exposure to ocean and earth sciences, students with limited research experience, and students from institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Students who have previously participated in an ocean sciences REU are generally NOT eligible, although some exceptions may apply. Please ask if you're interested (sio-surf@ucsd.edu).
  • Students should be available for the entire program. The program dates are June 20, 2021 through August 20, 2021.

Application Information

  • Major components of the online application include: short answers to questions on your goals and your academic preparation, a copy of your school transcript (as a pdf), and contact information for one reference.
  • The person you select to write your letter of recommendation will be contacted via e-mail once the applicant portion is complete. Your reference will submit their letter online. Important: please plan to submit your application early to allow your letter writer time to submit their letter before the March 15th deadline.
  • Once you begin an application, you can check the status of it any time by logging into this website.
  • Only complete applications will be reviewed.

Acknowledgment Of Funding Sources

Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE award #1659793). The NSF contact for this program is Elizabeth Rom.