AI Scholars

The AI Scholars Program includes a $1,750 stipend paid over two semesters to support your research work with a faculty member. You learn how to conduct fundamental research and scholarly activities in your chosen field. Your project may solve an important problem or contribute to a better solution. You write up your findings in a research paper, and you have several options to publish. It’s a great capstone to your undergraduate career.

This competitive process selects 60 students this year to join at least 250 other students participating in the University Scholars Program, where students complete a research project under the guidance of a UF faculty researcher.

No. You and your mentor both receive funding.

You can sign up for course credit with the college of your research mentor for variable credit (0-4 hours). Every college has a slightly different course code, so check with your faculty mentor for the research course number for their college.

Everyone starts somewhere. Many undergraduate students don’t do professional-level research until they start a master’s degree or other graduate program. AI Scholars lets you begin your research career as an undergraduate.

All AI Scholars will work with their mentor during the 2025-2026 academic year for 8–10 hours per week.

Required deliverables:

• Written research paper suitable for publication in the Journal of Undergraduate Research by February 2026
• Research poster presentation at the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2026

Research can be in any discipline. For example, students may participate in building AI tools to:

• Perform higher-order thinking skills (e.g., evaluation, appraisal, prediction, or design)
• Leverage existing AI tools and techniques for specific applications
• Focus on human-centered considerations of AI (e.g., fairness, accountability, transparency, and safety)

See examples of recent university scholars and their chosen topics.

Students selected are awarded $1,750 divided over two semesters. If you fail to complete the program, you must repay UF for the full amount.

All AI Scholars will collaborate with their mentor during the 2025-2026 school year for 8–10 hours per week.

The AI Scholars Program is open to all undergraduate students in any major doing research with an artificial intelligence component. Students who will not complete their bachelor’s degree before spring 2026 are eligible to apply.

First, identify a UF faculty mentor to write a letter of support for your application. If you need help with this step, the Center for Undergraduate Research offers peer advising services.

You must submit a complete application packet before February 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., EST. Elements of the application process include:

1. Summary of your research proposal (one page maximum) to describe the project that you will be working on. It should answer questions like: What is the central research question? How does the project use AI? Why is your research question important and what are your intended outcomes?
2. Letter of support from your faculty mentor.
3. Include your faculty mentor’s department fiscal information when completing your application. The application requires you to provide the fiscal contact and the department ID. Obtain this information from your mentor before you begin filling out the application to ensure a smooth submission process.

Applications for the 2025 group of scholars closed on February 10. 

Applications are due February 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Sixty AI Scholars will be chosen to join at least 250 other students who are participating in the University Scholars Program who will be undertaking a research project under the guidance of a faculty researcher.

An interdisciplinary committee reviews applications. A representative of the Center for Undergraduate Research will contact applicants by email. If you are chosen for the program, you must attend a mandatory orientation at the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2025.

If you have questions about the program or the application process, email Jenna Molen.