REU site: summer undergraduate research experience (SURE) at illinois tech

The National Science Foundation Division of Mathematical Sciences awarded Illinois Institute of Technology $464,995 on September 1, 2026, to operate a ten-week residential summer research program engaging undergraduate students in faculty-mentored research spanning computational mathematics, machine learning, statistical modeling, scientific computing, and biologically motivated mathematical models. The award funds the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program, a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049).

Participants will work in small teams under faculty mentorship, learning to formulate research questions, develop computational tools, analyze data, evaluate algorithms, and communicate scientific results. The program integrates hands-on research with training in scientific computing, research ethics, technical communication, graduate school preparation, and professional development. Faculty mentors will continue advising participants beyond the program period. Through expanded access to advanced research opportunities for students from diverse academic backgrounds and institutions, SURE aims to strengthen the nation's STEM workforce in mathematics, data science, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling, with participants prepared for graduate study and research careers in academia, industry, and government.

Performance occurs in Chicago, Illinois. The award period runs through August 31, 2029.

Abstract

The united states faces a growing and urgent need for professionals with expertise in mathematics, data science, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling. The summer undergraduate research experience (SURE) at illinois institute of technology will address this need by engaging undergraduate students in faculty-mentored research at the intersection of computational mathematics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Through hands-on research experiences, students will go beyond classroom learning and develop practical skills in computational methods, data analysis, and AI-assisted modeling, along with professional competencies such as communication, teamwork, and project management. This training will prepare participants for graduate study and research careers in academia, industry, and government. By expanding access to advanced research opportunities for students from a broad range of academic backgrounds and institutions, the project will help strengthen the nation's stem workforce and contribute to scientific innovation, economic competitiveness, and technological advancement. The SURE program will provide a ten-week intensive and immersive residential research experience for undergraduate students working in small teams under faculty mentorship. Research projects will focus on computational mathematics, machine learning, statistical modeling, scientific computing, pattern formation, simulation methods, predictive analytics, and biologically motivated mathematical models. Participants will learn to formulate research questions, develop computational tools, analyze data, evaluate algorithms, and communicate scientific results. The program will integrate research activities with training in scientific computing, research ethics, technical communication, graduate school preparation, and professional development. Faculty mentors will continue to advise participants beyond the summer through research dissemination activities, including conference presentations and publications. Research products, computational tools, and educational outcomes will be broadly disseminated, contributing to the advancement of undergraduate research training in quantitative and computational disciplines. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.