Paid NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
- Organization: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Type: Fellowship
- Location: United States
- Deadline: January 26, 2027
- Age: 18 and over
- Funding: Fully Funded
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the US federal measurement science agency, runs SURF to give undergraduates a paid summer doing real research in its laboratories in Gaithersburg, Maryland or Boulder, Colorado. Fellows spend up to 11 weeks on a project with a NIST scientist or engineer in fields from chemistry and physics to computer science, engineering and mathematics, and finish by presenting their results. About 150 students take part each summer, and roughly one applicant in three receives an offer. **What you get:** - A stipend of $6,390 to $7,810 for 2027, depending on whether you do the 9 week or 11 week programme (NIST quotes $710 a week) - Limited help with housing (up to $4,500) and travel (up to $500) if you need to relocate for the summer, plus commuting support for some local participants - Hands-on research with a NIST mentor in one of its laboratories or offices - A seminar series and the experience of presenting your work to NIST scientists **What you'll do:** - Work full time, 40 hours a week, in person at NIST in Gaithersburg or Boulder - Attend orientation and the SURF seminar series - Write an abstract of your research halfway through the programme - Give an oral presentation in the final week **Key dates:** - Applications opened October 16, 2026 - Applications close January 26, 2027 at 11:59 pm Eastern time; referees have 3 more days to upload letters - Offers are emailed between March 1 and mid April 2027 - Main 11 week programme: June 2 to August 13, 2027 - 9 week programme: June 14 to August 13, 2027 - Offset 11 week programme: June 14 to August 27, 2027 (the Boulder posting says August 28) **More information:** - You apply through USAJOBS: there is a separate posting for Gaithersburg and for Boulder, and you can apply to both with the same documents - You will need two recommendation letters, a resume, an unofficial transcript, proof of US citizenship or permanent residency, proof of health insurance and a personal statement - Past projects and acceptance rates by lab are on NIST's Gaithersburg and Boulder research pages, and the FAQ covers the application in detail
Apply for Paid NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
