The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Oceanography (SURFO) program is a multi-week research experience designed primarily for undergraduate students studying science, math and engineering. Students will join us on the Bay Campus in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
SURFO 2027
SURFO 2027 is contingent on a pending NSF proposal. Registration will open once we hear back from NSF. Please check back periodically, or leave your email address below. We will let you know once SURFO 2027 is open for registration.
Mission
Our mission is to provide authentic, inclusive, and mentored research experiences in oceanography for undergraduate students who have had limited access to research opportunities. Through diverse research projects, intentional professional development, and a supportive community, we prepare students for careers in the geosciences while continually improving our program through assessment and reflection.
About the SURFO program
The program can include laboratory work, field work, data analysis, instrument development, numerical modeling, even a research cruise. Summer Fellows may be involved in projects related to:
- Physical, Biological, Chemical, or Geological Oceanography
- Geophysics/Geodynamics
- Population Genetics / Biodiversity
- Geobiology
- Atmospheric Chemistry/Meteorology
- Remote Sensing/Ocean Engineering
Our program emphasizes the quantitative aspects of Oceanography, so many student projects involve fluid dynamics, marine geophysics, or numerical/physical modeling. We also encourage process-oriented interdisciplinary research projects that take full advantage of the expertise at the Graduate School of Oceanography, the Department of Ocean Engineering, Main Campus Marine Science Programs, and co-located governmental and non-governmental laboratories.
Mission Statement
We believe that exposure to basic research is a valuable component of an undergraduate education in science. We offer a select number of students the experience of working as part of a research group in developing problem-solving skills which may be applied in any career. More specifically, we want to share our enthusiasm for Oceanography with undergraduate students and make them aware that training in the basic sciences or engineering is both applicable and necessary for the complex challenges facing oceanographic research.
The three basic goals of the SURFO program are to provide participants with:
- an appreciation for the interdisciplinary character of Oceanography,
- an authentic research experience in a cutting-edge field of Oceanography,
- an introduction to the graduate student lifestyle in Oceanography.
History of SURFO
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Oceanography (SURFO) Program began in 1985. Initial funding came from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). In 1994, support for the program switched to the National Science Foundation (NSF) when SURFO was designated a Research Experience for Undergraduates (Site-REU) program. SURFO has grown to be an important part of GSO’s research and educational endeavors. Whereas GSO’s primary mission has been graduate education and research, the faculty, graduate students and staff have developed an enthusiasm for the multiple interactions with the undergraduate fellows and the fresh perspective and energy they bring to campus.