Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation
Group photograph of students in the field
Main content start

Spend your summer on science and engineering

The Sustainability, Engineering and Science - Undergraduate Research (SESUR) Program is a 10-week summer research program for Stanford undergraduates from any area of study who want to learn more about environmental science and the planet we live on. Students find a project - or propose one of their own - and work with a faculty member from the Doerr School of Sustainability in the lab or in the field (or remotely) through the summer. Students present their work at a fall scientific symposium.

Attend an information session

Two students working in a lab

Ask questions and talk to former program participants!

Info Sessions for summer 2024

November 30, 11:00 am - Thursday 
location: Y2E2 Bldg, room 299

January 18, 4:00 pm - Thursday
location: Hartley Conference, Mitchell Earth Sciences Bldg

See what it's like

Our program has been going strong for more than 15 years. 

Learn about the research findings of the 2020 SESUR students.  Due to the pandemic the normally in-person research symposium was transformed into this website where you can still learn from the SESUR students. 

Learn about the research findings of the 2020 SESUR students

See also SESUR Research Symposium

Watch the video above of a previous cohort to get a sense of the SESUR experience.

Meet some of our summer undergraduate researchers

What you need to know

Available projects

See the list of projects proposed by faculty looking for undergraduate researchers (new projects for 2024 are posted). Each year these range from subjects as climate change effects on coral reefs to measuring the trajectory of mammal size growth. Remember, you are NOT limited to only the posted projects. We encourage you to reach out directly to faculty if you are interested in their research. 

All  research projects with travel or lab research will require a contingency plan if travel or access to labs is limited by University policy. 

Find a faculty sponsor

Students may apply to work with any faculty member in the departments of:
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Earth System Science
Energy Science and Engineering
Geophysics
SDSS social science division

Stipends

The stipend in 2023 is $7500 for 10 weeks of full time effort. There is also a needs-based supplement of up to $1500 based on financial need record.

Funding priority goes to current and prospective students in any of the departments and programs within the School of Sustainability who have not yet received departmental funding. Freshmen and sophomores receive priority, though juniors and seniors in their first research experience will be considered. Coterms are unlikely to get funded. 

Students who wish to conduct Honors research should apply for a Major Grant directly from Undergraduate Advising and Research. 

How to apply

You will develop the project proposal with a faculty member (and likely a graduate student or post doc) who will act as your advisor(s). Your proposed faculty research advisor must approve your application. Once you submit it online, they will receive an email notification asking for approval.

Applications are due on February 15, 2024.

Office Hours

Jenny Saltzman

Jenny Saltzman, SESUR director, holds office hours in January-February to help with proposal writing.  Email Jenny with questions or to set up a time to talk any time of year.

Student FAQs

Find your questions answered here.

Mentor FAQ's

Mentor's questions answered here, plus tips from past mentors.

Info Sessions for Mentors in 2023 (summer 2024) 

  • 11/16 at 2 pm at Mitchell Earth Sciences room B04 (basement) 
  • 11/28 at 3 pm at Green Earth Sciences room 014 (basement)

Contact Jennifer with your questions or to set up a meeting.

Still have questions?

Jenny Saltzman

For more information, don't hesitate to contact Jenny Saltzman.  She is on campus usually on Wednesdays -Thursdays- Fridays and available by Zoom any day.