Modeled off the NSF REU Program, SURF provides opportunities for students from across the country to come to the University of Connecticut for 10 weeks in the summer to participate in cutting-edge research at our state-of-the-art facilities. UConn is home to the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT), one of the nation’s premier research centers for naval engineering. Participants in SURF will have the opportunity to embed in labs across the university engaged in active NIUVT projects, working closely with faculty and graduate student mentors on projects related to undersea vehicles (UUVs, submarines, guided vehicles). Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of field trips over the summer, such as: the University of Rhode Island light-water nuclear reactor, an active service US Navy fast-attack submarine at Naval Station New London, tours of industry partners, and more.

Research will be conducted at the CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED (CUI) level, and thus participation is limited to US Citizens.

Applications are due January 31st, 2025. APPLY HERE

Program Details
-A stipend of $6,500 is provided to all participants in the program in addition to the below compensation
-Housing is provided (housing options year to year, but past locations have included Werth and Hilltop for reference)
-Meal plans are provided to all participants; there is a rotating speaker series which will also provide lunch
-The program runs for 10 weeks from May 26, 2025 – Aug 1, 2025
-All engineering and computer science majors are invited to apply!
-SURF will provide travel compensation for participants to defer the cost of flights/trains/driving to get to Connecticut, and program staff will arrange transport to/from the airport as necessary

FAQS
-What types of research would I be conducting?
-> While all research is at the CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED level and thus cannot be openly discussed, you can get a sense for the types of research conducted by NIUVT by reading their Research Capabilities.
-Do I need to be a US Citizen to apply?
-> Yes. Due to the nature of the research we conduct, citizenship is a requirement of participation.
-Is there a certain GPA minimum needed to participate?
-> No. We conduct a holistic review of all applications we receive. We are looking to recruit talent that matches our research needs, and we understand those talents may not always be reflected purely in transcripts.
-Do I need to be in Connecticut for the full 10-weeks to participate?
-> If you have other obligations that may delay your start or cause you to leave early by a week, we can discuss those details, but our preference is for those who can participate for the entire duration of the program.

 

FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE PROGRAM AT ENGR-NAVYSTEM@UCONN.EDU