Programme Overview

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Summer Undergraduate Research Programme (SURP) takes place from 21 June to 15 August 2026). Applications are strongly encouraged from students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Four Turing funded places are available. The application form is in the purple section at the bottom of this page. The deadline for applications is 9 February 2026.

Call Details

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Summer Undergraduate Research Programme (SURP) supports up to four Durham undergraduates to complete an 8-week research internship in Hong Kong during the summer of 2026. A diverse variety of academic disciplines are available with projects offered in over 110 different fields. Please visit HERE for more information. Research work and reports will be conducted in English. However, different projects may have different language requirements as set out by the supervisors. Students will be actively engaged in research under the supervision of a CUHK faculty member and are expected to devote at least 20 hours per week to the research project. 

On-campus housing will be arranged on a shared room basis.

Why participate?

Students who successfully apply for the scheme will have the chance to:

• participate in an internationally competitive opportunity in Hong Kong in 2026
• develop research expertise with the assistance of leading professors at CUHK with outstanding research facilities
• enhance vital workplace skills, including critical thinking, cultural awareness, and developing a global outlook
• take part in professional training covering areas such as teamwork, project 
  management, problem solving, communication, and entrepreneurship
• experience educational, social, and recreational opportunities
• join an international alumni community.

What are the costs?

The four students nominated by Durham to participate will be considered exchange students and will not have to pay the SURP tuition fee to CUHK (usual cost is HK$8,150).  However, all participants will have to meet costs associated with:

• Visas c. HK$330–HK$630 (£35 - £65);
• Travel;
• Accommodation costs (this includes the option of on campus accommodation HK$8,800 (approx. £824) with a refundable deposit of HK$1,000 (£94));
• Refundable Caution Deposit of HK$450 (£42);
• A nominal administration fee charged by CUHK of HK$3,800 (£374).

What funding is available?

Four Turing funded placements are available. Funded places are prioritised to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who meet the University's definition of Widening Participation (see Fair Access below). The typical level of funding is c. £2,081 composed of:

• Living cost grant: £1,176 (£21 per day, pro-rated for shorter stays)
• Travel grant: up to a maximum of £905 (reclaimable against receipts).

Eligibility

Interested students need to meet the following eligibility criteria. At the point of expressing interest in this initiative students must:

• Have already have completed at least one year of their degree. Typically students will currently be in second year (though some students on four-year integrated Masters programmes may apply in third year);
• Have one full year of study remaining at the time of the prospective internship (summer 2026);
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have a minimum weighted average of 60% or higher for their most recent academic year, equivalent to a 2:1
• Be able to spend 8 weeks within in the period 21 June – 15 August 2026 in Hong Kong;

Fair Access

Fair Access: This initiative is open to any Durham student who meets the eligibility criteria above.  Expressions of interest are particularly welcomed from students from backgrounds where participation in study or work abroad is traditionally low. This includes students who: have received or are eligible for the Durham Grant Scheme; have participated in the Supported Progression Scheme or Sutton Trust Summer school at Durham University; are from a minority ethnic group; have a home address in an area of low progression to higher education (i.e. your postcode is listed '1' or '2' in the Polar checking tool.

Widening Participation

For the purposes of funding, the University's definition of Widening Participation includes:

How to Apply

Please note that completing the 'register to apply' form is only the first step of a longer two-step application process. Students must:

1. Apply to Durham, who will select four students to nominate to CUHK.
2. Nominated students will then have to complete an application with CUHK (by 13 February 2026)

If you do not complete step 1 and directly apply to CUHK you will not be considered an exchange student (and they will charge associated Summer School fees).

1. Application to Durham

The application form (in the purple section at the bottom of this page) will ask for:

• Personal details;
• Name of project which you wish to undertake (see: SURP Research Projects | CUHK Summer Programmes);
• Upload of a Transcript of Marks indicating that you meet the 60% average requirement;
• Declaration of whether you meet the University's Widening Participation criteria.

The deadline for applications to Durham is 23:59 on 9 February 2026. 

Selection by Durham

All applications will be vetted by Durham to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria. Each eligible application will be given a unique number with successful applications selected using a random number generator. Students will be notified whether they have been successful on 10 February 2026. 

2. Application to CUHK

Selected students will need to apply to CUHK by 13 February 2026 providing the following: 

• Letter of recommendation from an academic staff (a professor/lecturer) at Durham dated within six months from the time of application. Given the close timeframes, we suggest speaking to an academic when making an application to Durham, so that they are forewarned if you are successful;
• Latest academic transcript;
• Copy of the identification/particulars page of your passport;
• Exchange Application Record Form (available on this webpage SURP Application | CUHK Summer Programmes)
  • Completed form with endorsement from your home institution.

Further Information / Resources

Please visit: SURP Summer Research@CUHK | CUHK Summer Programmes and SURP FAQ | CUHK Summer Programmes