Bowers Undergraduate Research Experience (BURE)

Overview

Have you ever wondered what research is like, or have you considered pursuing a Ph.D. after you graduate? If so, then BURE may be for you!

BURE helps Cornell Bowers CIS undergraduates gain new skills and explore research with a hands-on summer experience. Open to all Cornell Bowers CIS undergraduates, BURE pairs undergraduates with a faculty mentor for a 10-week summer program. Applicants select research areas of interest and list prospective faculty mentors. Applicants must have taken a core CS, IS, or SDS course, and are highly encouraged to speak with a prospective faculty mentor prior to applying. While you don’t need to know exactly what you want to do or which lab you want to work in, listing potential mentors will aide in the matching process.

Here’s what you can expect from the program:

  • Guidance from faculty and Ph.D. students to pursue the matched research project

  • Funding of up to $5,000 $6,000

  • A series of enrichment talks on technical and career topics throughout the summer

  • Social events with other BURE scholars and mentors
Application Deadlines

There will be two rounds of applications for the '23 Summer Program.

Fall '22 Application Process
Fall applications have closed.
Application Deadline: Monday November 14, 2022
Committee Decision Deadline: All applications will be reviewed and Fall '22 applicants will be notified of the comittee's decision the week of December 20, 2022 - prior to the winter break.
Student Decision Deadline: January 13, 2023

Spring '23 Application Process
Spring applications have closed.
Application Deadline: March 27, 2023
Committee Decision Deadline: All applications will be reviewed and Spring '23 applicants will be notified of the comittee's decision the week of April 25, 2023.
Student Decision Deadline: May 5, 2023

*Please note, all accepted students from both Fall applications and Spring applications will be combined for Summer '23 BURE.

Application Requirements

Please login with your Cornell NetID. The name and (NetID) email address associated with your Cornell Google account will be recorded when you upload files and submit this form.

The application form consists of:

  • A one-page statement describing your research interests and any relevant experience
  • An unofficial transcript
  • Selection of intended research areas
  • Highly encouraged: the name of 2-3 prospective faculty mentors

Additional Opportunities for BURE Students

Some BURE positions will be allocated for researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds (as defined below) and underrepresented groups (sponsored by the Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM). If you would like to be considered for these opportunities, please follow the application prompt and complete a brief (300 words maximum) statement. Completing this statement is not required.

The positions for researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds will be open to people meeting one of these criteria:

  1. Being a member of an ethnic or racial group historically underrepresented in higher education (African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Native Pacific Islander, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, or other Hispanic American; permanent residents whose ethnicity corresponds to these groups also meet this criterion)
  2. Being a participant in one of the following programs: McNair Scholar, Mellon Mays Scholar, Posse Program, LSAMP Scholars, Ryan Scholars, NACME Scholars, Pre-Professional Programs (P3), HEOP/EOP, Gates Millennium Scholars
  3. Having experiences overcoming any significant challenges in your path toward college (examples include, but are not limited to: first generation college student, Veteran, single parent, holding DACA status, and/or managing a disability)
FAQ
  • How do I apply?
    • The application link will be provided on this page during the application window.
  • How much funding does BURE provide?
    • Students are hired as hourly employees, and can work up to 40 hours a week. Up to $5,000 in funding is available for each student for the whole summer.
  • Is there funding available to cover housing and meals?
    • Unfortunately, BURE does not cover housing and meals.
  • What are the dates of the program?
    • BURE provides funding for up to 10 weeks of research. The official dates and most of our planned activities run from June 5 to August 11, but you are welcome to start or end earlier if your mentor agrees.
  • Who can participate in BURE?
    • You must be a Cornell Bowers CIS undergraduate who is returning to Cornell as a student for the fall semester to participate in BURE. Applicants also must have taken a core CS, IS, or SDS course.
  • Who can serve as a faculty mentor?
    • Any Cornell Bowers CIS faculty member (field included) can serve as a mentor for BURE. We do not have a list of prospective mentors, as any Bowers CIS faculty member can participate. Faculty mentors must be affiliated with Cornell Bowers CIS.
  • Is BURE open to both Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses?
    • Yes, BURE may occur at either Ithaca or Cornell Tech campuses, depending on your faculty mentor. However, program activities will take place at the Ithaca campus, and extra funding is not available for Cornell Tech projects.

For questions about the BURE program, please contact bure@cornell.edu