RIPS Summer Internship Program 2025 in USA

About the program

The Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS) 2025 program offers talented undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to work on real-world research projects. Taking place from June 23 to August 22, 2025, in Los Angeles, the program is hosted by the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM) at UCLA. If you’re looking to apply your skills in mathematics, computer science, or data analysis in a practical, industrial setting, RIPS might be the perfect summer program for you.

RIPS is a competitive program that allows students to collaborate in small teams on industry-sponsored research projects. Each team is supported by both an academic mentor and an industry mentor, ensuring students get the most out of their experience. Over nine weeks, participants not only solve real-world problems but also develop presentation, teamwork, and leadership skills. They present their work at midterm and final presentations, culminating in “Projects Day” when they visit their sponsor’s facilities.

Why Should You Apply?

Participating in RIPS is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It combines elements of an internship and research experience, helping students:

Enhance their teamwork and leadership abilities through collaborative work.
Explore industry applications of mathematics and data science.
Gain hands-on experience working with professional mentors and sponsors.
Build a network of academic and industry professionals while enjoying the summer in Los Angeles.

Available Subjects

Following subject are available to study under this scholarship program.

All Subjects

Benefit

For selected individual:

Key Features of RIPS 2025

Stipend and Financial Support:

Students receive a stipend for their participation.
Travel expenses (including airfare or mileage reimbursement) are covered.
Housing and meals are provided at UCLA.

Work and Life at UCLA:

Participants live in residence halls on campus and work at IPAM offices.
IPAM offers technical support, office space, and social activities like daily tea time and occasional guest lectures.
With UCLA's proximity to Santa Monica beach and popular tourist spots, students can enjoy LA's attractions during downtime, including surfing, Hollywood studio tours, and weekend trips to national parks.

Diverse and Inclusive Opportunities:

RIPS welcomes international students studying both in the U.S. and abroad.
Graduating seniors (those completing their degrees between December 2024 and June 2025) are also eligible.
IPAM actively encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups in mathematics and science.

Professional Development:

Students work in teams with one member serving as a project manager, gaining experience in leadership and collaboration.
Participants develop crucial report writing and public presentation skills.
Many students use the RIPS experience to explore careers in math, technology, and science, with some even publishing their work or presenting it at national conferences.

How RIPS Differs from Traditional REU Programs

Although RIPS shares similarities with traditional Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs), it has a unique twist. Unlike academic REUs, RIPS projects focus on industrial challenges, giving students a chance to apply their skills to real-world problems. Furthermore, RIPS is independent of the UCLA math department, although it offers lectures from postdocs and faculty during the summer.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to students enrolled in or recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree.
Recent graduates who completed their degree no earlier than December 2024 can apply for RIPS 2025.

Preferred Background:

Strong foundation in mathematics is highly encouraged.
Interest in applying mathematics to real-world industrial problems is beneficial.
Projects involve computational components; experience in:

Computer science
Data analysis
Numerical computation

These skills are valuable but not required for every participant.

Competition:

Limited slots are available, making the program highly competitive.

International Student Eligibility:

Open to international students, both studying in the U.S. and abroad.

Application Procedure

If you're interested in solving real-world challenges using mathematics and computer science, RIPS 2025 could be a perfect fit. The application requires:

A resume/CV and an unofficial transcript (official transcripts are not mandatory).
Reference letters submitted through the MathPrograms webpage.
A background in mathematics and some experience in computer programming or data analysis (though not mandatory for all projects).
International students studying in the U.S. must verify their eligibility with their university’s international office. If selected, students may need to apply for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training). Foreign students from universities outside the U.S. will need to apply for a U.S. visa, with IPAM assisting in the process.