Program Overview

University of Maryland Baltimore County’s Mobile, Pervasive and Sensor Computing Lab (MPSC Lab) hosts an immersive summer research program in smart computing and communications for promising undergraduate students across the country. The REU research projects will be conducted in three interrelated thrust areas of smart computing and communications: (i) security and privacy protection, (ii) novel applications, and (iii) sensing and adaptive networking. Proposed projects will include a mix of theory and hands-on work and will leverage enabling paradigms (e.g., cloud computing, Internet-of-Things, high-speed wireless) to design, model, and implement novel techniques and solutions for smart computing and communication applications, encompassing algorithms for artificial intelligence, data mining, machine learning, edge analytics, signal processing, and big data. Some projects will also include building functional prototypes for demonstration.

Your Maryland Experience

  • The paid ten-week REU program focuses on increasing technical awareness, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking of undergraduate students that prepares them for graduate studies or careers in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) disciplines.
  • Each student will select a research project and will be immersed in an active research group, led by a faculty mentor and a senior-level graduate student, committed to actively guiding undergraduate researchers and providing a high-impact educational experience.
  • Participants will typically work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with one hour for lunch.
  • Undergraduate researchers are paid $600 per week.

How to Apply

Three steps to apply:

  • Fill out the Google form.
  • Prepare the following documents.
    • Your 2-page CV
    • A one-page statement of interest that describes your motivations, expectations, and long-term objectives
    • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members
    • A rank-ordered list of research projects that you are most interested in
  • Upload CV, SOP, and Unofficial Transcripts using the Google Form.
  • Provide the reference upload link to referees. Recommendation letters from each referee for each applicant should be uploaded in this box folder using the link.

Click on "Apply Now" below to complete the online application. For queries related to the application, contact Anuradha Ravi

Apply Now

Important Dates

Application Deadline: Friday, May 9, 2025

Decision Notification Date: May 15, 2025

Start Date: June 02, 2025

End Date: August 08, 2025

The applicants are recommended to submit their application by the deadline for best consideration. The application will be reviewed on a rolling baiss and notification will be sent out after the receiving all the application materials including the recommendation letters.

Please also check the Q&A webpage for application eligibility, requirements and additional information on the program. As required by the NSF REU program for all REU grants, only US citizens, nationals and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

The field of smart computing and communications thrives on the diversity of thought and experiences. We welcome applications from students from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders.

  • Undergraduate students majoring in science or engineering.
  • U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
  • Selections will be based on a combination of research interests, academic qualifications, and faculty recommendations.

Contact

For additional information please contact Nirmalya Roy (PI) at (410)-455-3182 or Anupam Joshi (co-PI) at (410)-455-2590. For program evaluation please contact Linda Hodges.

Funding

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs is funded by the National Science Foundation grant