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Are you an undergraduate student interested in STEM fields? Are you curious about projects in computer science, AI, or engineering? The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) 2025 program invites highly motivated undergraduate students worldwide to conduct summer research under INSAIT faculty mentorship. Modeled after prestigious programs at MIT, Caltech, and ETH Zurich, SURF provides hands-on experience in cutting-edge research.
Opportunity Details
The INSAIT Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program offers the opportunity to highly motivated undergraduate students from around the world to engage in research activities under the mentorship of a faculty from INSAIT. The program is 8-12 weeks long and the selected students will receive a monthly stipend of 1500 EUR to cover their living expenses. INSAIT will arrange the accommodation for the students and cover the cost in addition to the stipend. We also cover travel expenses and provide assistance for visa applications for the selected candidates. In order for students to optimally benefit from the program we don't allow summer projects to be carried out remotely. Students are expected to be present at the institute for a minimum of 8 (max 12) weeks during the summer.
Duration
The program is 8-12 weeks long with the exact duration of the summer project decided between the student and their mentor. In order for students to optimally benefit from the program, we do not allow summer projects to be carried out remotely. Students are expected to be present at the institute in Sofia, Bulgaria for a minimum of 8 (max 12) weeks during the summer.
Program timeline
| Open application window | Jan 17 – Mar 03, 2025 |
| Reviewing applications | Mar 04 – Mar 18, 2025 |
| Shortlisted candidates are invited for a brief online interview | Mar 19, 2025 |
| Interviews with shortlisted candidates | Mar 19 – Mar 28, 2025 |
| Selected candidates are invited to the program | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Selected applicants need to confirm their participation in the program no later than | Mar 31 – Apr 06, 2025 |
| Selected summer students reach out to their mentors to discuss projects and define a project scope/plan | Apr 06 – Apr 30, 2025 |
| Approximate dates for the summer research projects (exact dates discussed with mentors). The duration of the project cannot exceed 12 weeks | June 1 – Aug 31, 2025 |
Stipend
All selected students will receive a monthly stipend of 1500 EUR to cover their living expenses. INSAIT will arrange the accommodation for the students and cover the cost in addition to the stipend. We also cover travel expenses and provide assistance for visa applications for the selected candidates.
Who can apply?
Undergraduate students enrolled in a Bachelor degree program at any accredited university are eligible to apply. The students should be enrolled in a STEM major, such as computer science, mathematics, physics, or engineering. To be eligible, applicants should also have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or the equivalent in the corresponding grading system. We strongly encourage applications from communities generally underrepresented in STEM.
Program requirements
Throughout the program, summer students have to deliver:
Applicants need to submit their application materials before the deadline via their online platform. Click on the link to the application website to access their online platform. Your application should include: