• Carnegie Mellon launches summer undergraduate research program to expand pathways into security and privacy The application deadline for this year’s program is February 1, 2026 Michael Cunningham Jan 23, 2026 Carnegie Mellon University’s Software and Societal Systems Department is inviting undergraduate students from across the country to take part in its Security and Privacy Undergraduate Research (SPUR) Scholars program, a 10-week immersive experience designed to introduce students to the world of security and privacy while helping them explore academic and research careers. • Running from May 26 through August 1, 2026, SPUR is modeled after Carnegie Mellon’s successful and long-running Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Software Engineering (REUSE) program. • Participants will work closely with faculty mentors and research teams, contributing to real projects in areas such as hardware security, usable privacy and security, software testing, program analysis, cryptography, and verification. • “This program is really about giving students the experience of what it’s like to be a graduate researcher,” said Sam Mudrinich, SPUR program administrator. • Students are embedded in active research projects, where they attend meetings, collect and analyze data using advanced tools, and collaborate with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. • Each participant is paired with both a faculty mentor and a junior mentor, creating a layered support system that mirrors graduate-level
Article Summaries:
- Carnegie Mellon University has announced the Security and Privacy Undergraduate Research (SPUR) Scholars program, a 10‑week summer research experience for undergraduates nationwide. Running from May 26 to August 1, 2026, the program-modeled after CMU’s REUSE program-pairs students with faculty and junior mentors to work on projects in hardware security, privacy, software testing, cryptography, and verification. Participants receive professional‑development workshops, a fellowship stipend, and housing, and can explore graduate‑school pathways without prior research experience. Applications close February 1, 2026. The initiative aims to bridge undergraduate and graduate research, offering hands‑on work and mentorship in Pittsburgh.
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