The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking enthusiastic undergraduate students to apply to the agency’s premier Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program. The SURF Program will be administered virtually with program dates of May 24, 2021 to August 6, 2021. Note: Participants will not travel to the NIST laboratories to conduct research in the 2021 SURF Program. Therefore, the fellowship does not include support for travel or lodging.

Since 1993, SURF students from across the country have had the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience, working with cutting edge technology in one of the world’s leading research organizations and home to three Nobel Prize winners. The mission of the SURF Program is to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through a unique research experience that supports the NIST mission.

As SURF participant, you can expect to train under the mentorship of international known NIST scientists and engineers, acquire lifelong leadership and analytical skills, build professional networks, and learn about a career in public service. Additionally, you will also gain insight on how NIST improves our quality of life through the advancement of measurement science, standards, and technology. During the 11-week appointment, you will receive a stipend and numerous professional skillsets.

We hope you consider applying to the 2021 Virtual SURF Program. Prospective applicants must apply for acceptance into the SURF Program on USAJobs.Gov (Search SURF Boulder or SURF Gaithersburg). The announcement will close on February 14, 2021 at 10:59 pm (CST) or when NIST has received the application limit which may be sooner than the closing date. Thus, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the on-line application and supporting documents ahead of the announcement closing date.