RI NSF EPSCoR’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a 10-week introduction to transdisciplinary, use-inspired research in coastal sciences.  Students who are RI residents and/or matriculate at a RI college or university are eligible to apply.  Selected students majoring in STEM and social science fields receive hands-on training with faculty and graduate students at colleges and universities across Rhode Island, learning about everything from how diatoms in Narragansett Bay are responding to climate change to developing classroom materials that help middle and high school students understand basic engineering concepts.

Undergraduate fellows will: 

• Explore the everyday world of research in diverse topics such as coastal resilience, aquaculture and food science, microplastics, community engagement with science, and more. 
• Develop professional relationships with faculty, graduate students
• Gain hands-on experience with active RI NSF EPSCoR research projects
• Become familiarized with complex lab, field equipment
• Learn about topics such as applying to grad school, communicating research effectively

Program goals & focus areas

The RI-NEST SURF program aligns with the statewide initiative’s goals to:

• Strengthen workforce development by broadening opportunities for research and education that create clear pathways into Rhode Island’s technology, environmental, and research industries.
• Catalyze partnerships by supporting diverse, use-inspired projects that engage higher-education institutions, small businesses, and community collaborators to advance Rhode Island’s Blue Economy and climate resilience.
• Promote science communication and data sharing by encouraging translation of scientific results for understanding and use by broad audiences across the state.

2026 SURF Dates

Undergraduate application window: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 – Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 

SURF begins, student orientation: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
SURF ends, statewide symposium held: Friday, July 31, 2026

Selected undergraduates will be paid a stipend of up to $6,400 (proportional to time worked, up to 40 hours per week) and up to $550 for research supplies.

Students who cannot commit to the full 40-hour per week program should still apply for SURF Flex, an opportunity to receive intensive scientific research experience at 20 hours per week with a stipend of $3,250 ($275 for supplies).  SURF Flex students are expected to participate in all SURF programming, including the annual SURF conference and poster presentation, and will be paid a half-stipend for 10 weeks.

Questions? Contact RI NSF EPSCoR SURF Coordinator Jim Lemire at jlemire@rwu.edu.