Carnegie Mellon's Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Software Engineering (REUSE) program is an opportunity for undergraduate students to spend a summer working with some of the world's leading Software Engineering faculty researchers. A number of projects are available in diverse areas such as distributed systems, machine learning, privacy, security, software testing, and verification. Accepted students will work closely with CMU faculty and researchers on research problems with the potential for publication and significant impact on the future practice of software engineering and related areas.
Some of our past REUSE students have gone on to join top Ph.D. programs in computer science such as those at CMU, Berkeley, and the University of Washington; have published papers in major conferences; have won NSF graduate research fellowships; and have placed in the CRA's Outstanding Undergraduate award and ACM's student research competitions. We are excited to see what you can do!
Special Note: We are especially interested in promoting research opportunities for students traditionally underrepresented in computer science, and for first- and second-year undergraduate students. Neither research experience nor advanced coursework in computer science or software engineering is required.
What will you do?
- Conduct cutting-edge research in interdisciplinary software engineering. Topics include: social analysis of software teams and organizations, software API usability, green computing, programming language design, security and privacy, automated program analysis and repair, self-adaptive systems and software development tools. For more information visit the Research page.
- Spend 10 weeks doing research with Carnegie Mellon University’s #1-ranked School of Computer Science.
- Receive mentoring from world leaders in their fields.
- Learn research skills in undergraduate seminars throughout the summer. For more information visit the Seminars page.
What will you get?
So, as a part of your REUSE package you will not only gain significant experience in rigorous research from a top-tier university, but you'll also be afforded a $7,000 stipend and $1,400 meal allowance! We also provide housing in air-condition campus housing and pay for your travel to and from Pittsburgh at the beginning and end of the summer.
Who should apply?
- You are interested in research in interdisciplinary software engineering.
- You have demonstrated success in introductory undergraduate computer science courses.
-
You are eligible if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You are currently an undergraduate student at an institution of higher education in the United States (or you are a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or U.S. Permanent Resident and currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at an institution of higher education outside the United States).
- You will graduate in November 2025 or later.
- You will be at least 18 years old when the program starts.
Unfortunately high school students and foreign nationals studying at non-U.S. institutions are not eligible for REUSE. If you are on a student visa and you are accepted to REUSE, you will need to apply for CPT or OPT at your home institution before the program starts.
