Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Current SURP Project Abstracts
Organizer
College of Engineering (CENG)
Award Cycle
Summer 2026
Project Duration
Approximately eight weeks at about 20 hours per week, plus time to prepare for and participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium in fall 2026.
Because the eight weeks do not need to be consecutive, projects may continue into the fall 2026 semester until the SURP poster submission deadline. Faculty who wish to support remote projects may do so.
Project Costs
For each participating student, funding includes:
- $3,500 student stipend
- $1,500 faculty stipend
- $500 for project supplies
- $500 facilities and administrative fee
Deadlines
Phase 1
Faculty applications open Feb. 2, 2026, and are due Feb. 17, 2026, through InfoReady. Faculty project selections will be announced by March 13, 2026.
Phase 2
Students may apply to up to five projects through MustangJobs. Applications open March 16, 2026, and are due April 13, 2026.
Cal Poly Maritime students cannot access MustangJobs. Instead, they should email bbenson@calpoly.edu with a list of up to five projects they wish to apply for. Dr. Benson will send them a link to upload their application materials when she returns from vacation on March 30, 2026.
The first round of student selections will be announced by April 29, 2026. Additional students may be selected after that date if funding is available.
Info Sessions
Making the Most of Your Summer information sessions (covering SURP and other summer opportunities):
- During National Engineers Week: Feb. 23, 2026, from 1:10 to 2 p.m. (Building 13, Room 110)
- Co-hosted with MEP: April 2, 2026, from 11:10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Building 197, Room 104)
The College of Engineering (CENG) Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) uses a two-phase application process.
Phase 1
Faculty members submit research project proposals for consideration.
Phase 2
Students apply to approved projects. Awarded projects will be listed on this page under SURP 2026 Project Abstracts. Each project abstract includes an application link that directs students to Cal Poly Jobs, where they can apply for that specific project.
Students do not need to be in the same department as the faculty advisor. Applicants may apply for up to three projects but can only be selected for one.
Student eligibility
To be eligible for SURP, students must:
- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative higher education GPA.
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate for fall 2026. Master's students and students in blended programs who will have graduate standing by fall 2026 are not eligible. Lower-division students (those who have completed their first or second year at Cal Poly) and transfer students who have completed their first year at Cal Poly are especially encouraged to apply.
- Be available to work approximately 20 hours per week for eight weeks during summer 2026, with some project work continuing into fall 2026. Project timelines and work arrangements will be determined by the selected student(s) and faculty advisor(s).
- Be eager to learn, capable of working independently and excited to solve open-ended problems.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
The College of Engineering launched the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) in 2017 to provide undergraduate students with hands-on research experience alongside faculty during the summer. The program also supports faculty scholarship by fostering collaborative research that can lead to student-faculty publications and presentations.
SURP also creates opportunities for university-industry partnerships through sponsored research and collaborative projects.
Student benefits
SURP gives students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a research setting while developing professional and technical skills. Participants gain experience with research methods, collaborate with faculty and industry partners, and strengthen their problem-solving and teamwork skills through Cal Poly's Learn by Doing philosophy.
Depending on the project, students may produce:
- Data sets
- Hardware prototypes
- Software
- Intellectual property
- Research abstracts
- Research posters
- Co-authored publications
These experiences help prepare students for graduate school and future careers.
Faculty and industry partnerships
Faculty participants advance their research while mentoring undergraduate students through Cal Poly's teacher-scholar model. Industry and external partners collaborate with faculty and students on research projects while building relationships with talented future engineers.
Together, these partnerships support Cal Poly's educational mission and the California State University's commitment to preparing graduates who contribute to California's economy, culture and future.