SURF-REU Info Hub

This site serves as an informational hub for the 2026 SURF-REU Program. Individual programs may have additional requirements and/or events that are not listed here. Please read carefully through this information and check this site often for updated information. 

Onboarding Information Form

Summer 2026 SURF-REU Schedule

Link to printable version (schedule is subject to change; any changes will be announced via email and posted here).

Travel to Gainesville, FL

Panorama Travel will arrange flights for SURF-REU participants needing airfare to Gainesville.  To book your air travel, please complete the travel agency online form and feel free to contact them directly.

Online Form for Student Flights

Panorama Travel
10510 W. Flagler St.
Miami, FL 33174
305-220-9608
reservations@pantrav.com

Select flights that depart Gainesville anytime on Saturday, August 1st.

Checking in on May 23-24

• If you are driving to Gainesville, please arrive Saturday, May 23rd between 10:00am – 7:00pm.
• If you are flying to Gainesville, G Taxi Services (352-777-9488) will be waiting for you after your flight lands to drive you from the Gainesville Regional Airport.
  • For any flight delays/cancellations, contact Panorama Travel Agency:
    • Monday – Friday 8:00am – 6:30pm ET: 305-220-9608
    • Saturdays 8:00am – 5:00pm ET: 305-220-9608
    • Sundays 9:00am – 4:00pm ET: 305-220-9608
    • After hours number: 888-551-1352
• Late arrivals: If you are arriving after 7:00pm on Saturday or 4:00pm on Sunday, please contact the TBD location after-hours support number: TBD number.

Housing

Housing will be provided by the University of Florida. The location is TBD at this time.

• All housing contracts have been signed and paid for by your REU program.  You will be asked to sign a document for during check-in for your key, FOB, statement accepting responsibility for the keys, space, liability for potential damages.
• Each apartment has 4 single rooms that will share 2 bathrooms. Each apartment is fully furnished with full-size beds, a couch in the living room, a kitchen with a stove, oven, refrigerator, and microwave.
• HRE Conference Services has provided a list of suggested items to bring or purchase after arriving.
• Each SURF-REU participant is required to complete a liability waiver.
• Any housing issues should be directed to Anthony Ward in Housing Services (aj.ward@ufl.edu, 352-846-4864).

Stipend Payments

You will be contacted by Kim Krueger, kimberlykrueger@ufl.edu from Engineering HR on completing the steps towards receiving your stipend payment. You must have all information turned into Kim no later than May 1, 2026.

UFL Email Account

For the duration of the SURF-REU program, participants need to use their University of Florida email accounts. All communication from the SURF-REU program administration and program contacts will be exclusively sent to this account.

When accessing your UFL email account, you have several options. Your account can be accessed via the GatorMail website or via mailing apps you may already have on your cellphone. You can connect your email account to the Android Gmail app, iOS mail app, and Microsoft Outlook app. 

Student Contract & Undergraduate Research Project Contract

The following forms will need to be completed and emailed to kristasmith@eng.ufl.edu before the start of the program.

• Student Contract – Applicants must read and sign this SURF-REU Student Contract acknowledging acceptance of the requirements and provisions of the SURF-REU program hosted by the University of Florida as well as the UF Student Honor-code (as applicable for a visiting student).
• Undergraduate Research Project Contract – This contract details the responsibilities you take on as a SURF-REU undergraduate research student and the responsibilities of your faculty mentor and Ph.D. student mentor and/or post-doctoral mentor. All three parties must complete this form. Reach out to your faculty mentor to ensure the form is completed. Please review the Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code before submitting your contracts.

Resources

• UF Sports & Recreation: https://recsports.ufl.edu/
  • University of Florida has a great recreation and sports program with tremendous facilities. These facilities are available with the purchase of a summer membership. The membership cost is $30 to $60, depending on the plan chosen. This membership will give you access to all of the indoor facilities and pools, but you would have free access to the outdoor spaces such as the sand volleyball courts and Lake Wauburg if you would like to opt out of purchasing. Additional costs will occur based on activity, equipment rental, and group size. Here is all the necessary information for you to review:
    • RSConnect: https://rsconnect.recsports.ufl.edu/
      • Login in to RSConnect with your Gatorlink credentials to purchase a membership, register for group classes, sign up for an adventure trip, and much more.
    • Facilities & Locations: https://recsports.ufl.edu/locations/
      • Southwest Recreation Center
      • Lake Wauburg
      • Student Recreation & Fitness Center
      • Center for Outdoor Recreation & Education (CORE)
      • Courts, Pools, Fields
    • Membership: https://recsports.ufl.edu/about/memberships/eligibility/
    • Fees: https://recsports.ufl.edu/about/memberships/memberships-pricing/
    • Contact: Jordan Griffin, jordangriffin@ufl.edu, Phone: 352-273-2402
• Student Health Center
  • If you need student health care services during May 23 – August 1, please visit the UF Student Health Center:
    • 2140 Stadium Rd. Bldg #1500
    • 352-392-1161
    • Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • You will need to bring the following:
    • Gator 1 UFID Card
    • Medical Insurance Card
    • A copy of the attached email
  • There will be a person at the welcome desk in the main lobby of the new SHCC (2140 Stadium Rd. Bldg #1500) that can help direct you to the correct location.
  • Counseling and Wellness as well as psychiatry services are NOT in this location and cannot be utilized. All other campus and community resources were provided in your SURF-REU Welcome Packets in handouts. The UF Student Health Center is only for acute care problems, no chronic diagnoses or mental health resources.
• Mail Delivery in Gainesville
  • There is no summer mail delivery to the Keys Residential Complex. To receive mail/packages, you will need to set up a PO box at a local post office after you arrive. Please do not direct mail delivery to the Office of Graduate Recruiting.
• Parking on Campus
  • SURF-REU participants who drive to campus will receive a complimentary summer parking pass. UF Transportation and Parking Services issues permits by color, and parking lots on campus are color-coded accordingly. SURF-REU students will receive student red parking permits. A campus parking map may be found here.
• Getting Around UF Campus and Gainesville
  • Campus Map: The University offers an online map of campus that has the locations of buildings, dining, libraries, parking, bus stops, etc. 
  • The RTS bus system provides service all around Gainesville, including UF campus.  Riding the bus is FREE for UF students (including SURF-REU participants). You must show your Gator1 ID card to be eligible for free fare.  Otherwise, the cost is $1.50 per ride and you must have exact change.  Make sure you keep your Gator1 ID card with you at all times!
    • Download the free RTS Bus app on your phone: GNVRideRTS
      • This app provides the bus routes, schedules, and can track the location of your bus in real time, providing the most up-to-date information whenever you need it! GNVRideRTS is free and available for download in the Apple and Android app stores.
      • Videos about using the apps and planning your routes can be found here: http://go-rts.com/apps-and-videos/
      • A full printable bus schedule for the summer can be found here.
  • Transportation After Hours: SNAP
    • If you need transportation back to the Keys Complex after hours, the UF Student Government provides SNAP, a free campus safety and transportation service.  During Summer term, SNAP is available 7 nights a week from 8:30pm-3:00am.
    • To request a ride, please use the free UF SNAP by Spare app (available in Apple and Android app stores).
    • To contact SNAP directly, please call 352-392-SNAP.
    • More information can be found here: https://taps.ufl.edu/alternative-transportation/snap/

SURF-REU Weekly Seminar Slides

Copies of the weekly seminar slides will be posted below.

SURF-REU Photos

We create a SURF-REU photo album each year to commemorate the summer’s activities and accomplishments. Photos should be as follows:

• You in UF/Gator attire
• You working in your lab space
• You with your faculty mentor and Ph.D./Post Doc mentor (if applicable)
• Any other picture you like from SURF-REU (with other cohort members, at a SURF-REU event, etc.)

YouTube Video Consent Form

Each summer, most students submit videos of their research project and/or summer experience with SURF-REU. This form can be completed later in the summer with your faculty mentor.

2023 Cohort Webpage for Linked Video Examples

Faculty Mentor YouTube Video Consent Form

YouTube Video Instructions

Upload Your Video to the SURF-REU Google Drive Folder

Checking out on August 1

• If you are driving, please depart by Saturday, August 1 by 9am.
• If you are flying from Gainesville, G Taxi Services (352-777-9488) will be waiting for you to drive you to the Gainesville Regional Airport for your departing flight.
  • For any flight delays/cancellations, contact Panorama Travel Agency:
    • Monday – Friday 8:00am – 6:30pm ET: 305-220-9608
    • Saturdays 8:00am – 5:00pm ET: 305-220-9608
    • Sundays 9:00am – 4:00pm ET: 305-220-9608
    • After hours number: 888-551-1352

SURF-REU Closing Survey

Near the end of the program, we will ask participants to complete a survey about their SURF-REU experience. The purpose of this survey is to make improvements for future years and learn about what you liked about your SURF-REU experience.