The Institute for Underground Science at SURF to spur global discovery and innovation

The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) has launched The Institute for Underground Science at SURF, which will serve as a hub for leading scientists from various fields that conduct research underground. The Institute will unite the global underground scientific community to inspire discovery and build intellectual community in fields such as physics, biology, geology, and other disciplines.

“SURF is among 16 underground laboratories worldwide, all vying to provide unique opportunities to attract the best underground research. The Institute for Underground Science at SURF holds a distinct advantage, harnessing the presence of visiting researchers and educators to strengthen their connection with South Dakota. This strategic positioning enables The Institute to further expand as the preferred destination for scientific conferences, workshops, symposiums, and programs that embrace inclusivity and hospitality to reach their goals," stated Michelle Kane, Director of the SURF Foundation.

In the next decade, The Institute will leverage private fundraising led by the SURF Foundation to construct a new facility in Lead, SD that will include ample space for research and collaboration, a large auditorium as well as on-site housing for researchers and their families. This video shows the plans for future construction at SURF. 

The Institute will raise funds for the physical space—but according to Kane, the efforts extend beyond a physical building. “We're pushing ahead with our fundraising efforts, and we are now inviting interested investors, individuals, and organizations to learn more as we build out The Institute’s scientific and educational programming.”

In 2023, The Institute revived an annual workshop that brings together leading physicists from around the world, drawing in theorists and experimentalists from 22 countries for the Center for Theoretical Underground Physics and Related Areas (CETUP*) workshop.

The Institute will also serve to educate future generations of researchers and scientists, providing spaces for gatherings, colaborations, and lectures. Annually, SURF currently reaches nearly 20,000 students and more than 400 teachers in STEM education—The Institute can expand this reach even further.

“The future is bright for science in the Black Hills,” said Mike Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and laboratory director of SURF. “The Institute will be a space for cutting-edge scientific collaboration and ongoing high-tech economic development that will transform our region and provide a better world for future generations.”