Caltech University Summer Research Program 2026 in USA

Are you passionate about research and innovation? The Caltech University Summer Research Program 2026 in the USA — officially known as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) — offers an exclusive opportunity for brilliant students from around the world to conduct advanced research at one of the most prestigious universities on the planet: the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

This fully funded summer fellowship in the USA empowers undergraduate students to work on cutting-edge research projects under the direct supervision of Caltech’s world-renowned professors and scientists. It’s not just an internship — it’s a gateway to a global research career, opening doors to graduate programs, innovation labs, and future leadership roles in STEM.

About Caltech SURF 2026

The Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program is a 10-week immersive research experience designed to foster independent thinking, scientific creativity, and professional growth.

Established over four decades ago, SURF follows a research grant model, meaning participants identify a mentor, propose a project, carry out full-time research, and present their findings at the end of the program.

Program Overview:

Host Country: United States of America
Host University: California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, USA
Program Duration: 10 weeks (Summer 2026)
Financial Support: $8,110 Fellowship Award
Application Deadline: February 22, 2026 (Tentative)
Eligible Applicants:S. and International Undergraduate Students

This program offers one of the most prestigious summer research opportunities in the USA — allowing students to participate in impactful projects that often lead to published papers or graduate-level research.

Check: RIPS Summer Internship 2026 in USA | Fully Funded Internship at UCLA

Why Choose the Caltech SURF Fellowship 2026?

Joining the Caltech Summer Research Program 2026 gives you the chance to become part of an elite community of scholars and innovators.

Here’s why this program stands out:

Work alongside world-class scientists and professors at Caltech.
Receive a fully funded stipend of $8,110 for the 10-week program.
Conduct independent, high-impact research in state-of-the-art labs.
Gain hands-on experience in STEM disciplines like AI, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
Participate in seminars, networking events, and professional workshops.
Build a powerful academic and research profile for future graduate studies.

This opportunity is not only about research — it’s about learning how to think, innovate, and solve real-world challenges in science and technology.

Research Fields Offered at Caltech

Caltech’s interdisciplinary approach allows students to explore various STEM research fields, including:

Physics and Astronomy
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Biology, Bioengineering & Biomedical Sciences
Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Electrical & Systems Engineering
Environmental and Planetary Sciences
Mathematics and Data Analytics

Each student designs a personalized research proposal with their faculty mentor, ensuring the project aligns with their academic goals and interests.

Eligibility Criteria for Caltech SURF 2026

The Caltech SURF Fellowship 2026 is open to Caltech students, non-Caltech U.S. students, and international students — including Pakistani students — who meet the following criteria:

Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited university.
Must have completed at least the second semester or third quarter of studies before summer 2026.
Must be continuing undergraduate students (not graduating before Fall 2026).
Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above (or equivalent academic record).
Must identify a Caltech faculty mentor to support their project proposal.
Must have strong interest and background in STEM fields.

Good News for Pakistani Students:
Yes, Pakistani students are eligible to apply for Caltech SURF 2026 as international participants.
They can apply for on-campus research projects at Caltech (since NASA’s JPL-based projects are restricted to U.S. citizens).

International participants will need to apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa after receiving an acceptance offer.

Program Benefits for International Students

The Caltech Summer Research Program offers a transformative experience that extends far beyond the lab:

Financial Grant: $8,110 stipend for the entire program.
Research Experience: Work on groundbreaking projects in your field.
Networking: Build relationships with scientists, mentors, and peers.
Career Boost: Enhance your academic and professional profile.
Cultural Exchange: Experience life on a top U.S. university campus.

This program is a stepping stone to prestigious graduate scholarships such as Fulbright, DAAD, Chevening, and Erasmus Mundus.

Conclusion

The Caltech University Summer Research Program 2026 (SURF) is one of the most prestigious research fellowships in the United States.
It offers bright and motivated students — including those from Pakistan and other countries — the chance to gain real-world research experience at one of the top universities in the world.

If you aspire to become a scientist, engineer, or researcher, this program can be your launchpad to an extraordinary academic journey.

Apply now, prepare well, and let your curiosity shape the future!