About SURGE Program Students-Undergraduate Research Graduate Excellence (SURGE) Program is an internship Program of IIT Kanpur, which runs under the aegis of Office of Outreach Activities (OOA), IIT Kanpur. SURGE program was launched and inaugurated on 8th May 2006 by Professor Sanjay G. Dhande, the then Director, IIT Kanpur. The objective of SURGE Program is to develop the agenda of undergraduate research and promotes the culture of research and interdisciplinary education among the new generation. In the spirit of the same, this program is an evidence of the close student-faculty collaboration opportunities for hands on experience and quest for new knowledge that characterize IITK education. Since inception, this program has strengthened year by year, providing more and more research opportunities to young scholars. The program provides an opportunity to undergraduates students of IITK, Non-IITK and also to the students of SAARC countries, for experiencing technical learning in their field of research. The duration of the program is approximately 08 weeks. The program tentatively commences in the 2nd week of May and concludes in the 2nd week of July, every year. This programme has proved to be a highly interesting and stimulating event among all the students since its inception. It had provided a platform to students for their innovative ideas and has also given space for the practical implementation of the same. It is worth mentioning here that a few of the research works undertaken by the students during this summer program got recognition and space for publications in the international journals and conferences. As a resultant, the Program had influenced and motivated the SURGE participants for pursuing research as their career option. To motivate and inculcate the competition among the participants, SURGE provides awards to its participants under various categories viz; Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Verkey Cherian Award for Best Poster and Best Project, Best Project Award for Engineering and Best Project Award for Sciences. Eligibility & Application Details The SURGE 2026 program is offered in three categories. Category 1: SURGE for SAARC Countries (Nepal & Bhutan) The SURGE program is open to undergraduate students from SAARC countries, specifically Nepal and Bhutan. Eligibility (at the time of internship) B.Tech. / B.E. / B.Arch. / BS - Students who are in 3rd year Five-year Dual Degree programs - Students who are in 3rd year B.Sc. / B.A. - Students who are in 2nd year Minimum CPI: 6.0 (60%) CPI up to the last completed semester, as available at the time of application, will be taken into consideration. Category 2: SURGE for Non-IIT Kanpur Indian Students This category is open to Indian students from institutions other than IIT Kanpur. Eligibility (at the time of internship) B.Tech. / B.E. / B.Arch. / BS - Students who are in 3rd year Five-year Dual Degree programs - Students who are in 3rd year B.Sc. / B.A. - Students who are in 2nd year Minimum CPI: 6.0 (60%) CPI up to the last completed semester, as available at the time of application, will be taken into consideration. Category 3: SURGE for IIT Kanpur (IITK) Students This category is exclusively for IIT Kanpur students. Eligibility (at the time of internship) B.Tech. / BS - Students who are in 3rd year Five-year Dual Degree - Students who are in 3rd year IIT Kanpur 2nd year degree students may also be considered Minimum CPI: 5.5 CPI up to the last completed semester, as available at the time of application, will be taken into consideration. Fees and Logistics Application fee for Non-IITK students: ₹750. Application fee is not applicable for SAARC candidates Administrative charges: ₹4,000 for Non-IITK students (including SAARC candidates) ₹3,000 for IITK students Accommodation for SURGE students is arranged in student hostels by the DOSA Office. Students are required to pay hostel and mess charges. Students are not permitted to join the programme after the first week or leave midway, except with prior approval of PIC-OA. Financial Support The following financial supports are provided to the eligible SURGE participants: 1. Funding from SURGE Institute Funded Category: Students selected under this category may receive a stipend of Rs 16,000/- during the program duration. Candidates with CPI>=8.5 (at the time of registration) will be eligible for consideration of Institute Funding. Only 60 participants are eligible to avail this funding. The selection of participants for funding under this category will be done at the time of declaration of SURGE-2026 results. Partial Institute Funded Category (upto 50% of Institute Funded Category): Students selected under this category may receive a stipend upto Rs 8,000/- during the program duration. Candidates with CPI>=8.5 (at the time of registration) will be eligible for consideration of Institute Funding. Only 60 participants are eligible to avail this funding. The selection of participants for funding under this category will be done at the time of declaration of SURGE-2026 results. 2. Funding from IITK Project (Project Funded Category) Students selected under this category may receive funding directly from the faculty members (mentors) of IIT Kanpur. 3. Self Funded Students selected under this category will have an opportunity to work on projects of faculty members of IIT Kanpur, however, they will not be entitled for any funding. 4. Funding for SAARC Participants The students selected under this category are eligible for scholarship of Rs. 16,000/-. Additionally travel expenses (upto Rs. 10,000/- (maximum) or as per actual) are also reimbursed. 5. Industry-IITK tie-up, if any Students selected under this category will have an opportunity to work as individuals or in teams, on real-world projects proposed by the industry with mentors from both IIT Kanpur and the industry. The stipend will be paid by the industry. In SURGE-2026, only IIT Kanpur students can participate under this category. Important Dates Opening of Online Registration: February 02, 2026 (4:00 PM) Closing of Online Registration: February 22, 2026 For more details, visit Students-Undergraduate Research Graduate Excellence (SURGE) Program Source: Students-Undergraduate Research Graduate Excellence (SURGE) Program