Data Science Research Program for Undergraduate Students

After the research opportunity, each student will:

• Be part of a network of mentors who may provide continuous advice in the long term as the student makes progress in their studies
• Be part of a network of students and program alumni

Below is a list of mentors that program participants will work with. Full project details can be found on our DSRPUGS Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Project Details document.

• Mateo Dulce Rubio, CDS Faculty Fellow
• Carlos Fernandez-Granda, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Data Science
• Grace Lindsay, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Data Science
• Mengye Ren, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Data Science

Eligibility

• Applicants must be enrolled in NYU.
• Able to commit 10 hours per week to their research projects
• Able to participate in the program in-person
• Able to participate in the research in-progress presentation and the final presentation session in-person

1. TRANSCRIPTS

Applicants must include a copy of their transcript showing courses and grades from all post-secondary institutions they have attended. Unofficial copies (if they are legible) are acceptable, though we may request official transcripts upon acceptance to the program. Transcripts should be current through Spring 2026.

2. STATEMENT OF INTEREST

Applicants must write a personal statement addressing: Why you would like to participate in the Data Science Research Program and how this program would help you achieve your goals. You may also address the origins of your interest in science, experiences (school-related and other) that have particularly stimulated you, obstacles you have faced along the way and how you overcame them, and what you would bring to CDS as a member of our community. The personal statement should be no longer than 2 pages.

3. CONCISE RESEARCH INTEREST STATEMENT

Applicants must submit a short and concise research interest statement addressing: 1) the data science research areas that applicants are interested in and 2) skills and educational background to successfully conduct research in the interested area. This should not be more than one page.

4. PROGRAMMING ASSIGNMENT

Please submit your past programming assignment – this can be a homework, exam or project.

5. FACULTY REFERENCE CONTACT INFORMATION

Applicants must designate one faculty who will submit a letter of recommendation on their behalf. The recommender should be someone from whom you have taken a class or with whom you have done independent scientific work. The letter will be due by the application deadline and should be submitted by the faculty member to Timothy Baker at tb116@nyu.edu with the subject header being: “Recommendation letter for [Applicant Name].”