AI-MI Summer REU program

AI-MI summer undergraduate research program at Cornell 2026 REU Online Application Form

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we discover and engineer materials—speeding the path from scientific insight to real-world technologies in energy, sustainability, and quantum information. Led by Cornell University, NSF AI-MI accelerates the discovery of next-generation materials by bringing together computer scientists, materials researchers, and data scientists to tackle knowledge- and data-centric challenges at the intersection of AI and materials science.

In this AI-MI summer undergraduate research program, students will work alongside scientists to connect data generation (experiments, simulations, imaging, and literature) with AI analysis and rapid experimental feedback to dramatically reduce the time it takes to discover new materials—from months to days—while building reproducible, reusable workflows. Students may contribute to the AI Materials Science Ecosystem (AIMS-EC), an open, cloud-based portal that integrates a science-ready large language model with multimodal materials data, and explore projects ranging from 2D moiré materials for robust qubits and new superconductors to functional soft materials and microplastics-remediation peptides, as well as data-driven optimization and self-driving lab approaches for materials synthesis.

More information about NSF AI-MI can be found at: https://aimi.cornell.edu/ ;

The REU program is open, by NSF regulation, only to US citizens and permanent residents. If accepted, you will be required to show proof of citizenship or permanent residency. This program is intended primarily for sophomore and junior students in science and engineering. In exceptional cases first year students could have enough familiarity with physics, engineering, or computer science to profit from their research experience. Students who have not yet enrolled as undergraduates and students who will have a Bachelors degree by the summer of 2026 are not eligible according to NSF regulations. If accepted, you will have to show proof of health insurance coverage for the period of the REU Program.

Each CBB participant will receive a $6,000 stipend for their summer research work.

Dates: June 1 - August 7, 2026

Your application should include

• Personal statement describing your experience, skills, interests and goals, and what aspect of the research at the Center for Bright Beams is of special interest to you, are required.
• An electronic transcript from your university (a scanned copy is acceptable; however, we may request an original at a later time).
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals, at least one from a professor, who are familiar with your potential for research.

Applications completed after midnight EST Tuesday, January 30, 2026, may not be considered.

Note that consideration of applications, and any offers made, will be contingent upon available funding.