Category Archives: awards

PURDUE UNIVERSITY SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SURF)

Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

LOCATION: USA

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers a unique, immersive, 11-week research experience designed to encourage undergraduate students in their pursuit of advanced educational and career opportunities in research. 

ELIGIBILITY:

Current Undergraduate Enrollment

Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Purdue, another U.S. institution, or an international institution.

First-Time Participation Restriction

Participants must be first-time students in the Purdue SURF program, as the program is generally designed for single-time engagement.

However, students may participate a second time with the explicit support of their Principal Investigator (PI). PIs should note that funding preferences are given to first-time participants. Specifically:

Second-time participants are ineligible for the EURO housing or travel subsidy.

In the event of departmental funding limits, priority will be given to first-time participants.

Semester Completion and Continuation: Have completed at least one academic semester/quarter by the time of the SURF application.

Maintain undergraduate enrollment for at least one academic semester/quarter following the conclusion of the SURF program.

Minimum GPA Requirement

Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0 or equivalent at the time of application.

Participation Availability: Demonstrate the ability to actively participate in the majority of program activities. Requests for alternate start dates, up to one week post-program commencement, can be accommodated with faculty permission.

Upload an academic CV or resume and an unofficial university transcript.

Letter of Recommendation (Non-Purdue Students ONLY) Non-Purdue students are required to request a letter of recommendation from a professor/professional whom they have worked closely with. The letter should be uploaded by the application deadline.

BENEFIT:

$6500 Stipend: Receive a generous stipend of $6500 paid biweekly for your dedicated participation in the 11-week immersive research program.

Expert Mentorship: Gain access to seasoned faculty and graduate student mentors who offer valuable guidance, ensuring a supportive and enriching research experience.

Professional Development Seminars: Attend specialized seminars designed to enhance your professional skills, providing insights into various aspects of academic and research careers.

Symposium Presentation: Showcase your research findings by presenting at the prestigious SURF Symposium, offering a platform to share your work with peers, faculty, and professionals.

Social Engagement: Enjoy a vibrant social community by participating in activities designed for bonding with fellow participants, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.

Networking Opportunities: Engage in networking events, workshops, and seminars that connect you with professionals, researchers, and peers, expanding your professional network and creating lasting connections.

Enhanced Communication Skills: Develop and refine your technical communication proficiency, a crucial skill for effectively conveying complex ideas, research findings, and insights in a professional context.

$2500 Housing Allowance: All Non-Purdue students receive the housing allowance. For Purdue students, they must apply by the priority deadline to be considered. If selected, they will be notified in their offer letter, and the amount will be added to their biweekly compensation.

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2026 MICROSOFT IMAGINE CUP COMPETITION (STUDENT STARTUP COMPETITION)

Application Deadline: January 9, 2026

LOCATION: USA

Imagine Cup is where student founders turn bold ideas into solutions trusted by organizations worldwide. At every step, you’ll have access to Microsoft’s AI technologies, tailored guidance, and connections that help you refine your product and grow as a founder. Focus on a challenge aligned with one of the five Imagine Cup categories, or tackle a different one altogether. Join the next generation of startup founders solving real problems through technology, powered by Microsoft tools, mentorship, and a global community.

ELIGIBILITY:

Two Paths. One Goal: Build What Matters: Imagine Cup offers two tailored paths, Scale and Launch, to meet student founders where they are. Whether you’re gaining traction or just starting to grow, you’ll build with Microsoft AI technologies and advance with expert mentorship, resources, and a global community.

Scale: For student-led startups with traction. If you’ve already secured users, revenue, or capital—whether through any amount of dilutive funding or no more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding—the Scale track is for you. You’ll focus on refining product-market fit and preparing to scale your solution into leading organizations. The top 3 Scale teams will secure their spot at the World Championship.

Launch: For early-stage student teams building with potential. If you’re developing an AI-powered solution but not yet ready for Scale, the Launch track helps you take the next step. Whether you’ve built a prototype, tested an MVP, or are validating your market fit, this track gives you the support to grow with clarity and confidence. Eligible teams have not received any amount of dilutive funding or have secured no more than $100,000 USD in external, non-dilutive funding. The winner is announced after the semifinals.

After you register, what’s next?

Unlock up to $5,000 USD in Azure credits to experiment, test, and refine your Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Build your team. Up to four (4) students are allowed per team, and everyone must register on the Imagine Cup website.

Join the Sprint to Imagine Cup, a learning experience designed to explore what’s possible with Microsoft’s platforms and help you prepare a strong submission.

Follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on tips and competition deadlines:

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Looking for inspiration for your startup idea? Learn about past competitors and find resources below!

Self-paced learning on using Microsoft AI for your startup

Student Developer Blog

Microsoft for Startups Blog

Students aged 18+ are eligible to participate. Some restrictions apply, please see the full requirements in the official rules.

You can create any solution you are passionate about, but it must include at least two (2) Microsoft AI services and consider diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Details about the requirements can be found in the official rules.

Each team can have a maximum of four (4) members. All must be students. Create and manage your team.

Submissions should include a pitch deck, recorded pitch, and demo video, all addressing the judging criteria outlined in the official rules.

BENEFIT:

Scale Prizing: $100,000 USD

Private mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella

Opportunities for deeper partnership with Microsoft for Startups.

Launch Prizing: $50,000 USD

Continued visibility and support from Microsoft

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