AI Scholars

Artificial Intelligence Scholars

Undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing AI-related research with a UF faculty member are invited to apply for the AI Scholars Program through the Center for Undergraduate Research. The center manages the successful University Scholars Program that introduces UF undergraduates to partnerships with faculty in research endeavors across campus. Artificial intelligence is ubiquitous in the world around us, from voice-activated devices to autonomous vehicles; thus, there is a wealth of research potential in every UF department.

Sixty AI Scholars will be named to join at least 200 other students who are participating in the University Scholars Program who will be undertaking a research project under the guidance of a faculty researcher.

Scholars are selected to participate through a competitive process, which occurs in the spring. Students first  identify a faculty mentor to apply. 

SUBMIT APPLICATION

Eligibility

The AI Scholars Program is open to all majors doing research in any discipline. You may be building AI tools to perform higher-order thinking skills (e.g. evaluation, appraisal, prediction, or design), leveraging existing AI tools and techniques for specific applications, or focusing on human-centered considerations of AI (e.g. fairness, accountability, transparency, and safety).  

Requirements 

Start by identifying a UF faculty mentor to support your application. If you need support with this step, the Center for Undergraduate Research offers Peer Advising services. You must not earn your bachelor's degree before spring 2026. AI Scholars will work with their mentor during the 2025-2026 academic year for 10 hours per week. AI Scholars are expected to write a research paper suitable for publication in the Journal of Undergraduate Research by February 2026 and present a research poster at the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2026.

Application

You must submit a complete application packet before the deadline to be considered for the program. A complete application packet includes:

• Summary of research proposal (one page maximum)
  • Describe the project that you will be working on. What is the central research question? How does the project use AI? Why is your research question important and what are your intended outcomes?
• Letter of support from faculty mentor 

Other important information for your application:

• You must include your faculty mentor's department fiscal information. There are questions on the application that ask for the fiscal contact and the department ID.  You need to have this information when you are filling out your application. Ask your mentor for this information before submitting your application.  
• To submit your application, please use this form. Applications are due February 10 at 5:00 pm.

SUBMIT APPLICATION

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee. The results will be sent via email by the Center for Undergraduate Research. If you are selected for the program, you must attend a mandatory orientation at the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2025.

Questions?

If you have questions about the program or the application process, contact jenna.molen@ufl.edu.   

HEAR FROM AN AI SCHOLAR

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 AI Scholars