SRAII: Safe and Reliable AI and the Internet, an NSF REU Project

The USC Information Sciences Institute is excited to announce our ongoing Research Experience of Undergraduates (REU) Program. It focuses on supporting Safe and Reliable AI and the Internet.

ISI’s REU program has been active since 2018 and has supported 64 undergraduate students from the U.S. In a number of cases they have seen their work published in peer-reviewed venues.

We are grateful to NSF CISE for their generous support of this program via award #2447729, and prior awards #1659886 and #2051101.

Our Goal: Undergradute Research to Improve AI and the Internet

Students will carry out research working with USC/ISI’s renowned faculty, staff and graduate students on research problems that strive to improve the safety and reliability of AI and the Internet.

Program Details

In our program, students will participate in an 10-week research experience at USC/ISI campus in Marina del Rey. The program includes:

  • a weekly stipend of $700
  • travel reimbursement to/from Los Angeles
  • meals
  • housing at USC campus
  • free shuttle between USC and ISI
  • professional development activities
  • social events in the Los Angeles area

Applicants in need can also apply to the Last Mile Education Fund’s REU participation fellowship to receive up to $10,000 to help with financial insecurities.

Timeline

Eligibility

To apply, students must meet the following criteria at the time of application:

  • US citizens or permanent residents
  • enrolled at an accredited higher learning institution (including two-year institutions)
  • have finished at least their second year of study (exceptional freshmen may be considered)
  • not have completed their undergraduate degree

We welcome all applicants, and especially encourage applications from populations that are underrepresented in computing. Traditionally, around 50% of our admissions have been from smaller schools that do not have robust undergraduate research programs.