About REU

The New York Tech Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program provides talented and ambitious undergraduate students with an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with faculty and graduate students on cutting-edge research in computing and engineering for a safe and healthy digital environment.

Currently led by N. Sertac Artan, Ph.D., the program is in its fourth installment, funded by a three-year National Science Foundation (NSF) grant (2025–2027). Over the past nine years (2013–2022, excluding 2020), REU fellows co-authored nineteen papers published in academic journals and international conferences, earning one best-paper runner-up award. Several alumni have gone on to earn Ph.D.s, and some have even become faculty members. Details of past research are available in our REU Archives.

The program offers undergraduate researchers the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and fellow REU participants on projects in areas of paramount societal importance, helping them build confidence as independent researchers.

Students accepted into this highly competitive program spend 10 weeks in the heart of New York City conducting research with teammates and distinguished faculty on topics related to safe and healthy digital environments. Each student is assigned to a project and mentors based on their research interests and works toward producing a final research report and a poster presentation. Research projects require a full-time commitment (five days a week, 40 hours per week), and students may not hold outside employment during the program.

The ultimate goal of the REU program is to prepare students for successful STEM careers and further study at the graduate level in their chosen discipline. In addition to the rigorous academic schedule, REU participants will visit labs in the New York City region and attend workshops and networking events.