SURF Student Application

Undergraduate students who are current RI residents and/or matriculating at a Rhode Island college or university are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, February 6, 2026. You may save and return to this application later if you wish (30 day maximum) - see link at bottom of the form.

View 2026 SURF projects

Name*

First Last

Hometown*

City State

College/University*

Academic Email Address*

Please provide us with your school-based email address.

Enter Email Confirm Email

Are you applying for a SURF or SURF Flex position?*

SURF is a full-time commitment to the program (~40-hour per week), while SURF Flex is a part-time commitment (~20 hours per week). Learn more about these SURF options.

SURF
SURF Flex

Anticipated Graduation Date

Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at the time of the program. Students who have completed their undergraduate degree before the start of the program are ineligible.

Anticipated Graduation Month*

Anticipated Graduation Year*

Major(s)*

Please list your major(s). Separate each major with a comma.

Minor(s)

Please list your minor(s). Separate each minor with a comma.

Undergraduate Transcript(s) *

Please upload a PDF of your transcript(s). Please note that only PDFs will be accepted. Transcripts need not be official (e.g. you can scan or take a screen shot of your unofficial transcript, or otherwise convert a copy of your transcript to a PDF). If you have any problems uploading your transcript(s), please continue with the application and contact Jim Lemire at jlemire@rwu.edu.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB, Max. files: 5.

Project Rankings

If selected, the program will try as best as possible to place you within a project of your choosing. In rare circumstances, this may not be possible, but SURF will work with you to find an alternative fit. See the 2026 SURF Project List to view and select research in which you are interested.

First choice*

Second choice (optional)

Third choice (optional)

Fellowship Application Questions

Please be sure that your answers to the following prompts are well thought out, thorough, and well written. The responses to these questions are an important part of your application.

Question 1*

What are your educational and professional goals, and how do you envision the SURF experience contributing to these goals? [700 word maximum]

Question 2*

Describe any previous research and/or other experiences that speak to your preparedness and qualifications to enter the SURF program [350 word maximum]

Question 3*

Briefly describe why you are interested in the projects you selected above. Include any experience/skills which qualify you specifically for these projects. [350 word maximum]

Question 4 [Optional]

Is there any additional information you feel the SURF selection committee should know while considering your application? [350 word maximum]

Will you have access to a vehicle during the SURF program?*

Some projects may require traveling to off-campus locations, and there will be SURF-related events at various locations across the state. Having access to your own vehicle is NOT required, but knowing this will help us plan how to accommodate everyone. Use the "Other" option to indicate any situation not covered by the simple "Yes" or "No" options (e.g. you'll have access to a car for part of the program, but not the full 10 weeks)

Yes
No

How did you hear about the 2026 SURF program?*

School email
Directly from a professor or other university sttaff
Social Media
Handshake
RI EPSCoR Newsletter
Word of mouth

Letter of Recommendation

In addition to this online application, you are required to have one (1) letter of recommendation. Please provide the name and email address of your reference below. Once you submit the application, we will contact them with additional instructions for submitting recommendations.

Reference Name*

First Last

Reference Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Acknowledgment & Consent

Letter of Recommendation*

Your RI NSF EPSCoR SURF application will not be considered complete without one letter of recommendation. Although the individual above will receive information for submitting a recommendation, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the letter is sent by Friday, February 13, 2026.

I understand that my application will NOT be considered complete without one (1) letter of recommendation

Permission to Share Application Materials*

As an applicant for an RI SURF Fellowship, you agree to grant RI NSF EPSCoR permission to share your application materials (including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application responses) with the SURF selection committee and mentors of the projects you selected above. Your contact information will NOT be shared with anyone outside of RI NSF EPSCoR personnel.

I understand that my application materials may be shared with selected project mentors.

Acknowledgement*

Please check the boxes above and enter your initials here to indicate that you have read and acknowledge the above statements.

RI NSF EPSCoR

Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research