The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) has been awarded a $465,000 grant by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to renew its Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, “Future of Discovery: Training Students to Build and Apply Open Source Machine Learning Models and Tools” (FoDOMMaT), for an additional three years.
Housed in NCSA’s Center for Artificial Intelligence Innovation (CAII), the 10-week on-site program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus annually hosts approximately 10 undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to engage in cutting-edge machine learning and deep learning projects, developing open-source tools and applying them to real-world problems. The program aims to provide practical training and expose participants to advanced research environments while fostering innovation and collaboration among students, researchers, and industry partners.
NCSA Awarded Funding for AI-Focused REU Program
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) has been awarded funding by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue its AI-focused Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, known as FoDOMMaT. This initiative is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in machine learning and deep learning, emphasizing the development of open-source tools and their application to real-world challenges.
The 10-week program attracts undergraduates from diverse academic backgrounds, offering them a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge projects at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Participants work on developing machine learning models and tools, applying these innovations to address societal issues across various domains.
With a grant of $465,000, NCSA will extend this program for an additional three years, ensuring continued support for undergraduate researchers. The application period is currently open, with a deadline of March 15, and the next session commencing on May 26, 2025.
NCSA directors highlight the program’s role in fostering education and research opportunities. Volodymyr Kindratenko emphasizes its focus on preparing future researchers through practical experience, while other leaders stress the importance of innovation and collaboration in advancing AI technologies.
FoDOMMaT not only contributes to technological advancements but also plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers, equipping them with skills essential for addressing complex global challenges.
NCSA’s FoDOMMaT Program Aims to Train Future AI Innovators
The FoDOMMaT program at NCSA is designed to immerse students in a collaborative research environment where they can explore advanced AI methodologies and their applications. By working on open-source machine learning models and tools, participants gain practical experience that prepares them for real-world challenges across various scientific domains. This hands-on approach not only enhances their technical skills but also fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities.
The program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration allows students to engage with researchers from diverse fields, including agriculture, astrophysics, and big data. This exposure helps participants understand the broader implications of their work and encourages them to think innovatively about how AI can address societal issues. Through these experiences, FoDOMMaT aims to cultivate a new generation of AI experts who are equipped to tackle complex global challenges.
NCSA’s commitment to fostering innovation in AI is evident in its support for the FoDOMMaT program. By providing students with access to cutting-edge resources and mentorship from leading researchers, NCSA ensures that participants gain valuable insights into both academic and industry applications of AI. This investment in undergraduate education aligns with NCSA’s broader mission to advance research computing and prepare future leaders in science and technology.
The FoDOMMaT program also serves as a platform for fostering long-term collaboration between students and researchers. Many projects initiated during the program continue beyond its duration, contributing to ongoing advancements in AI technologies. This sustained engagement underscores the program’s impact on both individual participants and the broader scientific community.
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