Undergraduate Complexity Research
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Academic Level: For most summer research programs, this is your upcoming status as of the fall. Always check with the individual program's website for details.Undergraduate Students
Description: The Santa Fe Institute (SFI) Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) program is a 10-week residential experience in complex systems science. Students develop and carry out an independent research project in collaboration with an SFI mentor and as a member of the supportive UCR community. Students learn how to combine theory, methods, and data from the physical, natural, and social sciences to ask big questions about real-world complex systems using the rigorous methods employed at SFI. Through a series of seminars and workshops, students enhance their skills as researchers and prepare for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.
There is no tuition for this program. Students receive a stipend of $600 per week, or $6,000 over the course of the program. All UCRs are provided with housing and meals at no cost to them and travel support to/from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
UCR students are accommodated in student dormitories at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The IAIA campus is located in a beautiful Southwest high desert setting with mountain views, extensive walking trails, and quiet places for contemplation, and a short drive to the SFI campus.
Undergraduate students from all backgrounds in the physical, natural, and social sciences and mathematics are invited to participate. Strong quantitative skills and experience with a programming language are favorably considered. Prior research experience is not required. Students from institutions with limited research opportunities are encouraged to apply. Applicants from any country are welcome. Accepted applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents will receive assistance with visa sponsorship as appropriate to their individual circumstances.
College seniors graduating before December are not eligible. High school graduates who have not yet started their undergraduate study are not eligible. SFI policy requires participants to provide proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination prior to beginning the program.
The UCR team is committed to offering inclusive educational programs in which all participants feel valued and supported in their learning journey. We believe that human diversity in all of its dimensions is essential to meaningful scientific progress. We believe that open discourse and respectful sharing of broad perspectives is essential for understanding our world. We work to ensure our educational programs reflect and encourage this diversity and inclusivity, and we welcome you to join us.
Participating Institution(s):(Click an institution to see all programs it hosts)Program Materials:This Program can be Described by:Academic Disciplines:
Applied Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence
Biology
Ecology & Evolution
Economics
Environmental Sciences
General Social Sciences
Physics
Sustainability
Keywords:
Complex Data Sets
Complex Systems Theory
Computational Biology
Computational Ecology
Computational Modeling
Computational Social Sciences
Data Science
Evolutionary Biology
Network Analysis
Theoretical Physics
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This program is funded by:
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Page last updated 3/30/2023
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