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.
2025 SURFO Program : June 16 – August 1 (7 weeks)
SURFO students will receive:
- 1 week orientation & training
- 6 weeks of research experience in a lab
- Research cruise on Narragansett Bay
- Seminars from GSO faculty & graduate students
- Paid travel to URI
- Housing in a URI dorm on the Kingston campus
- Meal subsidy, bus card, health benefit, gym membership
- $600/weekly stipend
Criteria
- The SURFO program is limited to U.S. citizens or international students who are permanent residents of the U.S. or U.S. possessions.
- Preference given to students lack research opportunities at the home institution such as community colleges and minority-serving institutions.
- No research experience is required; students with extensive research experience such as REU should not apply.
- Preference is given to rising sophomores and juniors, but others are welcome to apply.
- URI students cannot participate.
Apply
To apply, we request a 1-page statement explaining why you want to join the 2025 SURFO program; a summary of your educational background and research experience (none required); copy of unofficial transcripts; and the names of two references we can contact.
Note these important dates:
- Deadline to apply: April 7
- Decisions will be communicated: April 14
Fill out the form below to apply by April 7, 2025:
APPLY HERE
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.