SURF-the-WAVE Fellowships

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.

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.

This prize covers the full $7,740 WAVE salary, $2,260 to defray housing expenses, and complimentary access to the KNI Laboratory for their research.

The KNI strongly encourages students from all backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and abilities to apply. In order to be considered for the KNI SURF-the-WAVE Prize, students must complete and submit the WAVE application through the Student-Faculty Programs website. Note the application deadline is January 9, 2024. Read full instructions and details here.

Each successful applicant will be matched with a Caltech faculty mentor with whom they will develop the timeline and scope for a summer research project. The KNI SURF-the-WAVE (STW) Prize will be awarded to selected incoming WAVE fellows, and will be notified of the supplemental award in late January/early February.

The 10-week in-person WAVE program officially begins in June 18, 2024.

We highly recommend that candidates learn about and reach out to individual faculty members with whom they would like to work prior to submitting their WAVE application. You may find more information about the KNI-affiliated faculty members on our website. Note: STW candidates may work with non-affiliated KNI faculty, so long as their research project is related to nanoscience-based field, e.g. quantum engineering, photonics, bio-/medical-engineering, etc.

Caltech is now accepting applications for the 2024 WAVE Program. In order to be considered for the 2024 KNI SURF-the-WAVE Prize, you must submit a WAVE application before the Jan. 9 deadline. Please visit the SFP website for information about WAVE Information Sessions.

If you have questions about the KNI SURF-the-WAVE Prize Fellowship program, please contact Tiffany Kimoto at [email protected].

Share the KNI SURF-the-WAVE Flyer with undergrads who may be interested in applying: Download PDF

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Caltech's WAVE program was designed to promote an inclusive STEM environment 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. Please visit the WAVE webpage for full details, application requirements and timelines.