HCII Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Welcome! The Summer 2023 program will run from May 30 - August 4, 2023.

About the HCII program

Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Research Program in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute is an opportunity for undergraduate students to spend 10 weeks at the University’s #1-ranked School of Computer Science. Here at the HCII, we study a variety of topics at the intersection of psychology, computer science, design and technology.

Students will have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research on meaningful projects with some of the world’s leading human-computer interaction researchers. This work will have the potential for publication and significant impact on the future of HCI. The Research Projects available include: smart classroom sensors, educational games, accessibility, smartphone privacy tools, and the future of work, just to name a few.

Visit  Your Summer at a Glance for more details about the seminars and social activities we offer our summer researchers. If you have any questions, we have a list of answers on the FAQs page. When you are ready to apply, visit the Application page and apply before the deadline.  

This program is geared towards undergraduate students entering their junior or senior year.

Who should apply? 

• You have an interest in research in human-computer interaction.
• You have demonstrated success in introductory undergraduate computer science, psychology, or design courses.
  ​Note: You do not need expertise in all of these domains - certain projects may only require you to have some experience programming, designing, or doing human-subjects research. This program is not only a chance to demonstrate your expertise while working on a research project, but also to expose yourself to new types of research and learn new skills in the process.
• You are a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
  Important to note: The majority of our funding comes from the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Program. Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds in either REU Supplements or REU Sites must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. An undergraduate student is a student who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree. Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate. High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate. Students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are generally not eligible to participate.