2025 NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Dates and Topic

Research Experience Dates: June 1—August 10, 2025
Topic: Cybersecurity in Trusted Microelectronics: Addressing Challenges in Hardware Security and Resilient Supply Chains
 

Program Overview

Secure and Trusted Systems

The summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, funded by the NSF Division of Computer and Network Systems, focuses on Training Research for Undergraduate Students in Secure and Trusted Systems (TRUST). It emphasizes hardware security in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), embedded AI security, detection and mitigation of side-channel attacks, and the security and trust of firmware and embedded systems.

Project Objectives

• Engage in trusted microelectronics research to gain practical experience in areas critical to national.
• Facilitate self-assessment for interns regarding their interests in cybersecurity and potential graduate studies.
• Acquire advanced knowledge in hardware security, encompassing hardware, software, IoT, communications, and machine/deep learning security.

Activities

• Hands-on FPGA development and simulation of CNN accelerators
• Data analysis of voltage traces captured during inference.
• Application of noise reduction techniques for accurate data interpretation.
• Exploration and implementation of countermeasures against hardware side-channel attacks.
• Design partitioning and hardware integration for enhanced security measures.

Topic Areas

• Hardware Security in Trusted System
• Side-Channel Attack and Countermeasures
• AI Hardware Security and Firmware Protection
• Embedded System Security in IoT Applications
• Research Collaboration in Secure Microelectronics Development

Award Information

• $6,500 stipend for 10 weeks
• On-campus housing included
• Food allowance
• Round-trip travel expenses up to $600 ? The total is approximately $9,000

Application Information

Deadline: March 1, 2025
Announcement of Awards: April 1, 2025

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Electrical engineering, computer/software engineering, computer Science, or any other related disciplines with a 3.0 or higher GPA
• Sophomore, junior, or senior
• Must graduate after September 2025
• Link to apply: https://engineering-computer-science.wright.edu/research/nsf-research-experiences-for-undergraduates