Deadline:
January 09, 2026
Program Starts: June 15, 2026
Program Ends: August 21, 2026
Location(s)
United States of America
Pasadena, California
Overview
The Kavli Nanoscience Institute established the SURF-the-WAVE (STW) Prize Fellowships program to provide opportunities for motivated undergraduates who are interested in carrying out nanoscience-based research projects during the summer at Caltech. In partnership with the Student-Faculty Programs (SFP) office and its WAVE summer program, KNI STW Prize Fellowships are awarded to undergraduates at non-Caltech colleges or universities who plan to pursue PhDs in science or engineering.
Details
Successful candidates will develop and carry out research projects under the guidance and mentorship of Caltech faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and/or graduate students. Throughout the 10-week WAVE program, STW Fellows participate in educational and social events sponsored by the SFP office, as well as additional special activities with the KNI community, to gain new technical skills, insights, and experience life as a Caltech researcher.
Caltech SURF and WAVE Program Information
Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program is one of the “crown jewels” of Caltech. Since 1979, SURF students have had the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of experienced mentors working at the frontier of their fields. Students experience the process of research as a creative intellectual activity from beginning (defining and developing a project) to end (presenting their results at SURF Seminar Day).
Caltech's WAVE program was designed to promote diversity within its educational programs and activities and strives to ensure that differing cultural, ethnic, social, geographic, and economic perspectives are represented. The program is extended, but not limited, to underrepresented minorities, women, first-generation college students, geographically underrepresented students, educationally or financially disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
- This fellowship is open to non-Caltech undergraduates. Research projects must be related to nanoscience and can be experimental or theoretical.
- In order to be considered for the KNI SURF-the-WAVE fellowship, applicants must apply directly through the official SURF or WAVE application websites.
- The KNI strongly encourages students from all backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and abilities to apply.
Dates
Deadline: January 09, 2026
Program starts:
June 15, 2026
Program ends:
August 21, 2026
Program Starts: June 15, 2026
Program Ends: August 21, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
This prize covers the full WAVE salary and stipends, as well as complimentary access to the KNI Laboratory for their research.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
