News

SURP (Summer Undergraduate Research Program):

Every summer, the Department and the Dunlap Institute engage a large number of undergraduate students in exciting research endeavors. This provides an excellent opportunity for students in astronomy, physics and  engineering to gain first-hand experience in astronomical research, and to interact daily with  faculty,  postdocs, and graduate students.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to:

• •  Work with astronomers from either the David A Dunlap Department of Astronomy (DADDAA) or the Dunlap Institute on an independent research project;
• •  In-depth exploration in astronomical observations, theories, instrumentation and data analysis;
• •  Enjoy interactions within a vibrant community of fellow summer students;
• • Improve skills in scientific communication (writings and presentations);
• • Participate in U of T public outreach activities.

To apply:

Eligibility: SURP is open to students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and would like to apply, you must:

1. be a full-time student at the University of Toronto; or
2. be a full-time student in a Canadian university and have an off-campus work permit; or
3. have a work permit allowing you to work with the University of Toronto

You can apply even if you have participated in the U of T astronomy & astrophysics SURP in previous years.

Projects:

This year’s proposed SURP 2026 projects are listed here.  As an example of the kind of work done by SURP students can be found here.  You are encouraged to approach the faculty members of your interests.

Deadline: 

Please submit an application to the SURP program:

The 2026 SURP application portal is now open. Please click here.

Application deadline is generally at the end of January. Applications received before the deadline will receive full consideration, and those submitted later will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until all positions are filled. 

Financial Support:

These 16-week positions are valued at ~ $11,000 (as of SURP 2026) and run from May 1 to late August. In addition to funding from individual faculty’s research grants, the following sources provide partial support. These are awarded on a competitive basis and you should indicate your eligibility for them in your SURP application.

1.  NSERC undergraduate student research awards (USRA, link: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/students-etudiants/ug-pc/usra-brpc_eng.asp): an eligible applicant must be registered (at the time of application) as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program in the natural sciences or engineering; have obtained a cumulative B average over the previous years of study; have completed at least the first year of a bachelor’s program by the time employment begins. Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
2. University of Toronto Undergraduate Excellence Awards in the Natural Sciences & Engineering (UTEA-NSE, link: https://www.registrar.utoronto.ca/financial-aid-awards/utea/): the eligibility is similar to the NSERC USRA,  but it is also open to international students with a valid visa for the full summer work term.
3. Department of Astronomy Undergraduate Research Fellowship: the eligibility is similar to UTEA-NSE. Limited to one per faculty supervisor.

*Some travel support for students based outside of Southern Ontario is available to offset the cost of traveling to and from Toronto to attend the SURP program