Note that the below program description is based on being able to hold a meaningful in-person experience for students participating in the 2023 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 2024.

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.

• 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.