Who we are
The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) is America’s underground laboratory, with a mission to advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations.
SURF hosts cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines, including physics, geology, biology, and engineering. The facility hosts more than 30 experiments that are contributing to the fundamental understanding of our universe, advancing our nation’s energy independence, exploring life in extreme environments, and providing basic research that is the foundation for ongoing technological advancement around the world.
SURF’s collaborators include over 2,000 scientists from over 200 institutions and universities worldwide. SURF also plays a vital role in inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals with a robust education and outreach program that reaches 20,000 students and 400 teachers annually. SURF is generating a two-billion-dollar economic impact on South Dakota this decade, with ongoing and future experiments that will continue to inspire and push the boundaries of human knowledge for decades to come.
SDSTA Board of Directors
The SDSTA is managed by a board of directors who are appointed by the Governor of South Dakota.
The SURF Mission and Vision
The mission of Sanford Underground Research Facility is to advance world class science and inspire learning across generations.
Boards and committees
- SDSTA Board of Directors
- SURF Foundation Board of Directors
- Cultural Advisory Committee (CAC)
- SURF User Association
- Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC)
- Environment, Safety, Health Advisory Committee (ESHAC)
- SURF Strategic Advisory Committee (SSAC)
- Science Program Advisory Committee (SPAC)
Diversity statement
The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) recognizes that our staff members, researchers, and partners are our most valuable asset. We respect our differences and recognize we each have diverse backgrounds, points of view, and approaches to problem-solving.
To answer the world’s most compelling science questions, we need a diverse and inclusive workforce where we all can contribute to our collective success. We are committed to creating a culture at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) that centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion where everyone feels empowered to succeed.