CUNY Honors Connect at Cornell Tech
About Cornell Tech
Cornell Tech is Cornell University’s state-of-the-art campus in New York City that develops leaders and technologies for the AI era through foundational and applied research, graduate education, and new ventures. Located on Roosevelt Island, the growing campus was founded in partnership with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and in close collaboration with the NYC Economic Development Corporation after Cornell won a worldwide competition initiated by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s administration to create an applied sciences campus in New York City. More than 1,000 Cornell students are now educated annually on the campus, including 700 in Cornell Tech programs. Since opening in 2012, more than 134 new companies have spun out from startup programs at Cornell Tech, and 95 percent of them are based in New York City. Cornell Tech continues to have a transformative economic impact on the region’s tech sector.
Eligibility, Dates, and Compensation
- Undergraduate students currently enrolled at Macaulay Honors College.
- Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors preferred. However, graduating seniors are also eligible to apply.
- Students considering an advanced degree and/or who have an interest in a research career.
- The program is expected to run from May 28 through Aug. 7 (10 weeks). Unpaid extensions are possible, but only with faculty approval.
- $5,000 stipend paid upon successful completion of the program
Application Components/Required Information
We will ask you to provide the following information as part of the application:
- Basic name, home campus (e.g., Hunter), and demographic information
- A personal statement** (2 page max)
- An unofficial transcript (and your GPA)
- A Curriculum Vitae or Resume (2 page max)
- A reference letter (faculty or academic counselor preferred)
The application is open and can be accessed here. Please do not mail, fax, or email any documents.
Program Details
In addition to conducting research full-time (40 hrs/week), students in the program will participate in the following required activities:
- Weekly faculty/graduate student/external speaker colloquia.
- Biweekly check-in meetings with the program director.
- Social events and co-curricular excursions around NYC.
- Weekly seminars/workshops on an array of topics (e.g., applying to graduate school, academic and non-academic research careers, technical/research writing)
- Final Symposium, where students present their work to their peers, program faculty and staff, and other invited guests.
Typical Week
Mentors and Research Projects
Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science
Wendy Ju
Rajalakshmi Nandakumar
Thijs Roumen
Angelique Taylor
Angelina Wang
Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering
Nikhil Garg
Udit Gupta
Cornell Law School
Matthew D’Amore
FAQs
What are the program dates? Are they flexible?
The program runs from May 28 to Aug. 7, 2026. The dates are not flexible.
When is the application deadline?
Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Is the program paid?
Yes. The stipend is $5,000, paid at the end of the program.
Are housing and transportation to and from Cornell Tech provided?
No, this is a non-residential program, and participants are responsible for their travel to Cornell Tech.
What is the weekly time commitment?
40 hours
Can I take summer classes or have a part-time job while in the program?
The SROP is designed as a full-time commitment, with research and program activities requiring sustained engagement throughout the summer. Because summer coursework demands a substantial investment of time and attention, participants are not permitted to enroll in classes during the program. For the same reason, outside employment is also not allowed.
Do I need prior research experience?
Prior research experience is not required, but it can strengthen your application.
What if my letter writer is late?
We may review your application without the letter. However, if we do not receive a letter by March 6, we may decline your application.
Is there an interview process?
Some faculty mentors may interview applicants as part of their review and selection process. All finalists will be interviewed by the Program Director, Dr. Omari W. Keeles, before final selections are made.
Am I guaranteed to work with my first-choice mentor if I am accepted?
No. While we strive to match students with faculty mentors based on an applicant’s ranking of faculty projects, shared interests, and relevant experience, we cannot guarantee you’ll be matched with your first-choice mentor. In some cases, students may be matched with a faculty member who is listed as a second or third preference.
What are my chances of being accepted into the program?
We accept 10 students out of a pool of approximately 75 applicants.
When will I know if I have been selected? Is there a waitlist?
We will notify students by April 1 regarding their status in the program. Yes, there will be a waitlist.
I have pending offers from other programs. Can I get an early decision?
We do not make offers until after the application deadline so that all applicants have an equal chance. If you have a pending offer, please email the program coordinator, Angeline Gomez (IBInitiatives@tech.cornell.edu), and we will put a note on your application with the date by which you must notify the other program. Please note that this does not guarantee that we will have a decision for you.
What are the benefits of participating in CUNY Honors Connect SROP?
One of the primary benefits is the opportunity to engage directly in the research process and to assess whether research aligns with students’ long-term interests. Participants gain exposure to a range of methods and tools while also strengthening transferable abilities such as communicating complex ideas and approaching challenges thoughtfully. The program also offers the opportunity to build relationships with researchers across institutions, which can be valuable for those considering advanced study.
Why is this program only for Macaulay students and not all CUNY students?
The SROP is currently limited to Macaulay Honors College students because the program is supported by partnerships and funding sources specifically designated to serve this population. We hope to expand the program in the future and offer this opportunity to a broader group of high-achieving and motivated CUNY students.
What if I have more questions?
Please email the program coordinator, Angeline Gomez (IBInitiatives@tech.cornell.edu), if you have specific questions.
Contact Information
To contact us, please email us at IBInitiatives@tech.cornell.edu.
Please note that due to the large volume of messages received, it may take us a few days to respond to your message.
No phone calls, please.
Be sure to check our FAQs before emailing to see if your question has been answered.