LIGO Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)

Caltech LIGO SURF

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships

June 16 - August 21, 2026
Caltech  ·  LIGO Hanford  ·  LIGO Livingston

Summer projects in:

Astrophysics

Multimessenger astronomy
Theoretical astrophysics
General relativity

Experimental Physics

Optomechanical systems modeling
Lab projects in mechanical, laser, optical and electronic systems

Data Analysis

Machine learning
Signal processing
Data calibration

About

Undergraduate students in physics, astronomy and engineering are invited to participate in the development of gravitational-wave astronomy through the Caltech LIGO Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program. This intensive summer program takes place each year at Caltech or one of the LIGO observatory sites, funded in part through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program of the National Science Foundation. Undergraduate students from all institutions (both U.S. and foreign) are invited to apply to the Caltech LIGO SURF program. Research awards include a summer stipend and some funding for travel to the research site as needed.

Summer 2026 Program

June 16 - August 21, 2026

Eligibility

All continuing undergraduate students (i.e. who will be students next year) may apply.

Two students performing an experiment

Image credit: Caltech/MIT/LIGO Lab