Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF): Program Overview
ITS-Davis offers a research fellowship program for undergraduates interested in conducting research related to sustainable transportation. The objective is to introduce a select group of undergraduate students to the transportation field through participation in our extensive research program. The fellowship will support students over the summer to participate in ongoing research projects with ITS-Davis academic and research faculty, professional researchers, and graduate students.
The program follows a cohort model: Students begin and end the fellowship at the same time, meeting regularly to
- attend a welcome lunch / meet and greet at the beginning of the program,
- discuss their research projects,
- attend research seminars, where fellows will meet in-person and have the opportunity to learn about other transportation-related research being conducted by UC Davis faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and/or professional researchers and staff,
- participate in field trips, and,
- at the conclusion of the fellowship, deliver a research report and present their research findings.
After our summer program ends, many of our fellows either continue on with their research teams, go on to graduate school, and/or go on to work in transportation-related careers.
Student Eligibility
Applicants must have completed their sophomore year, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and be eligible to work within the U.S., as fellows are hired as hourly employees at UC Davis.
The program is currently open to students at UC Davis and Sacramento City College, with possible additional local universities/community colleges to be added.
This opportunity is not restricted to certain majors: Current students in any major at participating universities are eligible to apply.
Deliverables
At the conclusion of the fellowship, fellows submit a report to the SURF program staff and give a presentation on their research findings to other participating fellows and mentors, as noted above. Report and presentation guidance is provided to fellows at the beginning of the program.
Previous SURF Fellows & Projects
Previous fellowship recipients and their research products can be viewed at:
https://its.ucdavis.edu/summer-undergraduate-research-fellowship-program, and
https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate-research-fellowship-program.
2026 Program Year
Specific program start and end dates for the 2026 program are TBD. Likely mid-June through mid-August.
Research fellows will receive [compensation TBD; minimum of $17 per hour] during the 2026 program year. Fellows typically work 15-25 hours per week with their research teams, contingent on funding.
The 2025 cohort attended field trips are scheduled with Siemens Mobility (trains, light rail) and Unitrans. We hope to schedule these field trips for the 2026 cohort, and possibly a third.
Application Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit a personal statement as well as a statement about their interest in sustainable transportation. The statements should be 12 pt. font, standard (1 inch) margins, and two page (single-spaced) maximum length. There is not a minimum length; however, please be sure to answer each prompt completely, and keep in mind that these statements are often sent to potential mentors so that they may get a sense of the applicant’s interests, work experience, and writing abilities. Please do not use AI; we’d like to hear your “voice”. These attachments are required and an application will not be considered complete without them.
1. Personal Statement
Subheading: Work Experience and Future Career Interests
Briefly describe your work experience and future career interests. If you don’t have much work experience, you’re welcome to discuss volunteer experience, club membership/activities, etc.
Subheading: Problem and Solution
Think of a situation in your life in which you were presented with a problem that you had to solve creatively. Describe the situation and your solution. This may have occurred in a work setting or other.
2. Interest in Sustainable Transportation
Provide a short description on how you came to be interested in sustainable transportation and why you would like to participate in this undergraduate research program. Examples of what you might include: What led to your interest in sustainable transportation? If accepted, what skills or experience do you hope to gain from this program? How will participating in this program benefit your educational or career goals?
3. Transcripts:
An unofficial copy is acceptable.
Program Management Contact Information
Please direct any questions about this program to:
Anna Espitallier
Education Program Manager
Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis
aespitallier@ucdavis.edu