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The Santa Fe Institute Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) 2027 program is fully funded. It pays a $7,000 stipend and gives free housing, free meals and travel support, for ten weeks of research in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, from 30 May to 7 August 2027.
It is for undergraduate students in the physical, natural and social sciences and mathematics. International students are eligible, including those studying at universities outside the U.S.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | United States (Santa Fe, New Mexico) |
| Organisation | Santa Fe Institute |
| Dates | 30 May to 7 August 2027 |
| Funding | $7,000 stipend, free housing and meals, travel support |
| Who can apply | Undergraduates in sciences and maths, including international students |
| Experience | No research experience needed |
| Application fee | None mentioned |
| Deadline | 13 January 2027, 4 PM MST |
What is the SFI Undergraduate Complexity Research program?
The Santa Fe Institute (SFI) studies complex systems: systems that adapt, evolve and interact in ways that don’t fit inside one field. In the UCR program, you work closely with one or more SFI researchers on your own research project for ten weeks.
In the first weeks you explore ideas, meet researchers and shape your project. Then you work on it full time, join discussions and seminars, and build skills in research methods, science communication and teamwork. The program is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and private foundations.
What you get
- A $7,000 stipend over the program
- Free housing in your own room with a private bathroom, at the Institute of American Indian Arts campus
- Free meals during the residential stay
- Travel support to and from Santa Fe
- Daily van transport between housing and the SFI campus
- Possible J-1 visa sponsorship for international participants
Who can apply
- Current undergraduate students, full time or part time, in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
- You will still be an undergraduate for at least one more term after August 2027
- Students in the physical, natural or social sciences, or mathematics
- Strong quantitative skills or programming experience help
- No research experience needed
- Priority usually goes to students entering their third or fourth year
Can international students apply?
Yes. SFI welcomes applicants whose citizenship or residency lets them travel to the U.S. Students enrolled outside the U.S. are eligible, and SFI may be able to sponsor a J-1 visa. International students already at a U.S. university usually join on F-1 status through CPT. Only students who are authorised to work in the U.S. can take part, so plan your visa early if you are selected.
Looking for more summer research? See Caltech SURF 2027, the ETH Zurich Summer Research Fellowship and MIT MSRP.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned.
Required documents
- Biographical information, filled in online
- A current academic CV or résumé
- Written answers to two research prompts, including a short project proposal
- An unofficial transcript from every college or university you have attended (with an English cover translation if needed)
- One recommendation letter from a professor, mentor or advisor
How to write your research statement
- Share the questions that excite you, even if they cross fields. That is the point of complexity science.
- Keep the proposal to about one page. SFI uses it to understand your interests, not to lock you into a project.
- List only the maths topics you have truly completed. SFI asks applicants to be accurate here.
- Ask your recommender early.
Our guide on how to ask a professor for a recommendation letter will help.
How to apply, step by step
- Read the Experience, Logistics and Applying pages on the SFI website.
- Prepare your CV, transcripts and research statements.
- Ask your recommender to write your letter.
- Apply through SFI’s SurveyMonkey Apply portal using the Apply Now button.
- Submit by 13 January 2027, 4 PM Mountain Time.
Selection process
SFI reviews complete applications after the deadline. Updated grades or extra documents can’t be added after you submit.
Deadline
Deadline: 13 January 2027, 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST)
You have time, so use it to write a thoughtful research statement.
Have a question?
Ask in the comments and we’ll help where we can.
Related reading
- Caltech SURF 2027 in the USA ($8,354 Paid Summer Research Fellowship)
- MIT Summer Research Program 2027 in the USA (Fully Funded)
- ETH Zurich Summer Research Fellowship 2027 (CHF 4,000 Stipend + Fully Funded Travel and Visa)
- Stanford Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program 2027 in the USA (Fully Funded Stay)
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