Summer Fellowship
Summer 2026
Summer Student Exchange Program
Funded by the National Science Foundation (Award #2514616), the CREST-RASM Center at Cal Poly Pomona is offering a Summer Student Exchange Program for CPP STEM students at The University Texas Rio Grande Valley. This 10-week fellowship will select three students to develop their expertise in emerging STEM fields.
Program Information
When and Where
Ten weeks during the summer at The University Texas Rio Grande Valley.
What to Expect
This 10-week fellowship provides practical research experience, professional development, and opportunities to contribute to significant projects—helping students grow their skills, build collaborations, and prepare for future STEM careers.
Past Research Topics
Texas Research Centers
The University Texas Rio Grande Valley
Participants will have the opportunity to choose between two leading research centers at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Both centers are part of the collaborative partnership providing students with hands-on research experience guided by expert faculty and researchers.
Summer 2026
Application Information and Deadline
Application Deadline: January 30th | Selected individuals will be notified by February 15th
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The fellowship typically runs for 10 weeks, and while that may seem short, the schedule is structured to ensure meaningful progress. You’ll receive an overview of the available research topics. After selecting a project, you will work with a faculty mentor and research team following a defined timeline that includes planning, implementation, and final presentation phases.
Yes. Most fellowship projects are part of ongoing research efforts rather than starting from scratch each year. Incoming students typically build upon the progress made in previous cycles. This allows you to focus on advancing the work, applying new methods, and contributing meaningful results within the 10-week period.
Students are not expected to arrive with all the required skills. While having a basic foundation is helpful, the fellowship includes training and onboarding during the first weeks to prepare you for your specific project. Mentors and faculty provide guidance, resources, and support to ensure you can contribute effectively.
Your primary responsibility during the fellowship will be research. While the program values outreach and STEM engagement, participation in K–12 mentoring activities is not your primary goal. You can expect to spend the majority of your time working on your assigned research project.
Yes, many projects are designed to reflect real-world challenges faced by local or regional industries. This alignment helps ensure that the research is practical, relevant, and beneficial to the community. However, the specific topics will be announced soon, and you will have the opportunity to choose a project that best matches your interests. We will propose 7-8 topics that you can choose from (among other topics we have: integrating sensors with Drones, 3D printing Drones, etc.)