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REU Program

IoT4Ag REU Summer Program

The 2024 REU Application is now open. If selected, candidates should expect to hear from us by March 18, 2024. 

2024 Application Deadline: February 16, 2024

Note that the below program description is based on being able to hold a meaningful in-person experience for students participating in the 2024 program. As the program dates approach, modifications will be made if determined necessary following the participating Universities’ policies, which follow expert guidelines including those from the CDC and public health officials.

The NSF Engineering Research Center for the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (IoT4Ag) seeks undergraduate applicants for its Research for Undergraduate Experience (REU) Program for summer 2023.

This program is designed to give undergraduate students the opportunity to work with scientists from Purdue University, University of Florida, and the University of Pennsylvania on cutting-edge research to address the societal grand challenge of food, energy, and water security by advancing technologies that increase crop production, while minimizing the use of energy and water resources and the impact of agricultural practices on the environment. Projects will focus on the creation of internet of things (IoT) technologies from sensors, robotics, and energy and communication devices to data-driven models constrained by plant physiology, soil, weather, management practices, and socio-economics. 

These technologies will be integrated into systems that capture the microclimate and spatially, temporally, and compositionally map heterogeneous stresses for early detection and intervention to better outcomes in agricultural crop production.

Students will be matched to projects based on their background, interests, location preference, and the project needs and requirements. All projects will provide the opportunity to learn next-generation approaches and to develop experience working in at least one of the research facilities using state-of-the-art equipment. Students will gain experience with substantial aspects of doing science: experimental design, data collection, and communication of results. Students will also participate in activities that complement the lab research and help to develop broader scientific and career skills: seminars, paper discussions, career sessions and skills workshops.

Student participants will earn a stipend and, for in-person experiences will have housing accommodations and travel allowances that depend on each university’s policy for summer research in 2024, that prioritizes student safety during the pandemic.

Program at-a-Glance

Focus:
Research opportunities across a wide range of disciplines from agronomy, agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental science, mechanical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, robotics, sensors, and data science.

2024 Application Deadline: February 16, 2024

Dates and Locations:
Participants will be assigned to one of three IoT4Ag partner sites:

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
May 20 – July 26, 2024 

*Dates may vary slightly

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
May 28 – August 2, 2024

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
May 25 – August 2, 2024

Eligibility

You must be an enrolled undergraduate student, who will not graduate before September 2024. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to participate in this program.

The program values diversity and seeks talented students from diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage students from underrepresented groups in STEM, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

Application Components

a) online application form, b) personal statement (1-page), c) one letter of recommendation, d) transcript from your current school and from all colleges you have attended and e) resume (1-page). 

These components are described in the application form below.

Letters of recommendation should be from faculty members or supervisors who can address your academic and/or research abilities and potential.

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2024 REU program are now open. Applications will be completed on the NSF ETAP website, including recommendation letters. 

The 2024 application deadline is February 16, 2024.

Questions: Please reach out to us at iot4ag@seas.upenn.edu