INSTITUTE FOR PURE AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS (IPAM), UCLA
RIPS Summer Internship Program (IPAM, UCLA)
full · bachelors
- 9 weeksProgram length
- Stipend + housing + mealsWhat you receive
- Team of ~4 studentsProject format
- UndergraduatesWho can apply
- ~USD 3,500 (est.)Approx. stipend value
- Los Angeles, USAWhere it takes place
At a glance
full
Funding
€5k
Max amount
Feb 12, 2027
Deadline
Open to all nationalities
Country
Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM), UCLA
Provider
The Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS) program is a fully funded nine-week summer internship hosted by the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM) at UCLA in Los Angeles, USA. It places undergraduate students in small teams to work on real industry-sponsored research projects, guided by both academic and industry mentors. The 2027 program runs for about nine weeks in the summer (the 2025 edition ran 23 June to 22 August), during which teams tackle real-world problems, deliver midterm and final presentations, and present results on Projects Day. Unlike a traditional Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), RIPS focuses on industrial applications of mathematics and data science. Financial support covers a participation stipend, travel expenses including airfare or mileage reimbursement, and on-campus housing and meals in UCLA residence halls, with the package worth several thousand dollars (around ~USD 3,500 (est.) in stipend plus housing and travel). The program is open to undergraduates of all nationalities, including international students studying in the US or abroad, and it actively encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups in mathematics and science. Applicants submit a resume, an unofficial transcript and reference letters through the MathPrograms system. Stipend amounts, dates and visa procedures change each year, so confirm the current-cycle details on the official IPAM RIPS page before you apply.
What's covered
- Participation stipend — A summer stipend for the nine-week program, worth around ~USD 3,500 (est.) toward personal expenses during the internship.
- Travel expenses — Travel costs to and from Los Angeles, including airfare or mileage reimbursement, are covered by the program.
- Housing — On-campus accommodation in UCLA residence halls for the duration of the program (a value of roughly ~USD 3,000 (est.) in the LA market).
- Meals — Meals are provided at UCLA during the program, so participants do not pay for their own food on campus.
- Mentoring and workspace — Work at the IPAM offices with technical support, office space, academic and industry mentors, and organised social activities.
How to apply
Apply online through the MathPrograms webpage, submitting your resume, transcript and reference letters before the deadline.
- Prepare your materials — Put together your resume/CV and an unofficial transcript (official transcripts are not required at the application stage).
- Arrange reference letters — Ask referees to submit recommendation letters through the MathPrograms webpage by the deadline.
- Submit on MathPrograms — Create an account on mathprograms.org and submit your application materials to the RIPS program.
- Note visa requirements — International students studying in the US should check CPT/OPT with their university; students abroad prepare for a US visa application with IPAM's help.
- Await selection — Selected participants are notified in spring and confirm their place for the nine-week summer program in Los Angeles.
Eligibility
LevelOpen to undergraduate students enrolled in, or recently graduated with, a bachelor's degree.
Recent graduatesRecent graduates must have completed their degree no earlier than December 2026 for the 2027 cycle.
BackgroundA foundation in mathematics is encouraged; programming, data analysis or numerical computation experience is helpful but not required for all projects.
NationalityOpen to all nationalities, including international students studying in the US and abroad.
Visa / work authorisationInternational students in the US must verify CPT/OPT with their university; students abroad apply for a US visa with IPAM's assistance.
The program actively encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups in mathematics and science. It is highly selective, with a limited number of places each summer.
Eligible countries
Open to all nationalities
Deadlines
Summer 2027~mid-February 2027 (est.)
Selection
IPAM selects RIPS participants on academic record, mathematical and computational background, reference letters and demonstrated interest in industrial research. The program is highly selective and builds balanced teams, with active encouragement of applications from women and underrepresented groups in mathematics and science.
Verified sources
- RIPS - IPAM at UCLAipam.ucla.eduofficial
- MathPrograms - application portalmathprograms.orgofficial
About the provider
The Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM) is a US National Science Foundation mathematics institute based at UCLA, founded in 2000. It runs research programs, workshops and student research opportunities, including the long-running RIPS industrial research internship for undergraduates.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the RIPS program?
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Undergraduate students of all nationalities who are enrolled in or recently graduated with a bachelor's degree. Recent graduates must have finished no earlier than December 2026 for the 2027 cycle.
How long is the program?
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RIPS runs for about nine weeks over the summer; the 2025 edition ran from 23 June to 22 August in Los Angeles.
Where does it take place?
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At the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM) at UCLA in Los Angeles, USA, with housing in UCLA residence halls.
What does the program cover?
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A participation stipend (around ~USD 3,500 (est.)), travel expenses including airfare or mileage, and on-campus housing and meals at UCLA.
Do I need programming experience?
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A foundation in mathematics is encouraged, and programming or data-analysis experience is helpful, but it is not mandatory for all projects.
Can international students apply?
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Yes. The program is open to all nationalities, including international students studying in the US and abroad. IPAM assists overseas applicants with the US visa process.
How is RIPS different from a traditional REU?
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RIPS focuses on industrial applications of mathematics and data science - students work in teams on real industry-sponsored projects, rather than purely academic research.
How do I apply?
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Through the MathPrograms webpage (mathprograms.org), submitting your resume, an unofficial transcript and reference letters before the deadline.
When is the deadline?
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Applications usually open in December and close in mid-February; for the 2027 cycle expect a deadline around ~mid-February 2027 (est.).
Is the program competitive?
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Yes, it is highly selective with a limited number of places, so a strong application and references matter.
Does RIPS encourage diversity?
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Yes. The program actively encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups in mathematics and science.
Where can I confirm the current details?
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On the official IPAM RIPS page at ipam.ucla.edu. The stipend, exact dates and visa procedures change each year, so verify the current cycle before applying.