Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Combinatorics, Algorithms, and AI for Real Problems (CAAR)

IGNORE EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE. FOR SUMMER 2025 WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A RENEWAL.

WE SHOULD KNOW BY Feb 1, 2025 IF THERE WILL BE REU-CAAR IN SUMMER 2025.

IF the program runs we will want students to arrive on Sunday June 1 and leave Friday Aug 15.

DO NOT READ BELOW THIS LINE.

Information about Past programs:

We have run REU-CAAR from 2013-2023. You can learn what projects ran from the sidebar.

WHAT IS REU-CAAR ?

Research Experience For Undergraduates (REU) in Combinatorics, Algorithms, and AI for Real Problems (CAAR) is a 10 week NSF funded research program designed to bridge the gap between the theory (algorithms, probability, combinatorics, Theoretical Machine Learning, others) and other disciplines within Computer Science (AI, Operations Reseach, practical machine learning, others.) Rather than wax philosophical about this just go Look at the Projects!

TELL ME ABOUT THE PROJECTS!!!

Go to the left!!! You will see a tab that says Projects. Click on it!

HOW TO APPLY?

DO NOT READ THIS. THE LINK IS NOT UP YET.

When you apply:

READ the set of projects.
Personal Statement should mostly be about WHICH PROJECTS you want to work on. Why do they interest you? Why are you qualified? Stuff about their life experiences is good also, but should not be the main focus. The application form reminds you of this by making WHICH PROJECTs… into the ADDITIONAL QUESTION part. So just put that info in the Personal Statement.
You should state at least 2 projects that you are happy to work on. If you only list 1 then you may get turned down if that project is already filled. If you REALLY only want to work on 1 project then you may email me to see if I think that could work.
Your letter writers should be people who know you from CS, Math, or related fields. We DO NOT CARE that your English teacher thinks you have the potential to be a great novelist.
If a project require a course in X that you do not have. If you have not had X but have done Y (say won a Nobel Prize in Physics) then mention that in your statement of purpose. Its my job to figure out if Y is enough. Do not do my job for you.
Anyone ugrad (Freshman OR Sophmore OR Junior OR Senior) who is going to a College in America may apply.

All undergrads who have a basic understanding of Algorithms, Discrete Mathematics, and Computer Programming are encouraged to apply. We have some (not much!) money to provide some support for some non-citizens from American schools. If you are in this category say so in your personal essay. If your school will pay for some of the cost then let us know. (All students who apply must be attending an American school.)

WHAT WILL YOU GET?

A summer of research that is awesome and fun!

Students will be provided with $7000 as stipend AND room AND food money.

OTHER WEBSITES TO LOOK AT

Since Summer Programs are compeitive its good to apply to several:

Univ of MD Comp-Bio Program

Univ of MD Math REU

Website of NSF REU Programs

Community Sourced Website of REU sites

WHO TO ASK QUESTIONS?

Go to the left!!! You will see a tab that says FAQ. Click on it! If your question is not answered there then email me: Bill Gasarch gasarch@umd.edu