Cornell Summer Research Academy 2026
Dear IIT Madras Undergraduates,
Welcome to the Ivy League research experience! Cornell's Summer Research Academy (SRA) 2026 offers hands-on research with world-class faculty, 6 S/U credits, international peers, and 6 weeks in beautiful Ithaca/Finger Lakes.
Program Overview
- Dates: Arrive 2 Jun 2026 | Orientation 8 Jun | Research Ends 17 Jul | Depart 18 Jul
- Schedule: 20 hrs/week research + cohort events/excursions/meals
- Credits: 6 S/U independent research (School of Continuing Education)
- Housing: Mandatory Cornell residence hall (single/double occupancy)
- Projects: 30+ faculty-led (Full List – public policy, social science, natural sciences, engineering, CS+)
- Cohort: 30-35 Global Hubs students (HKUST, Imperial, NUS, NTU, etc.)
- Ithaca Experience: Gorges hikes, Botanic Gardens, Cayuga Lake boating, concerts, ice cream, fireworks
Eligibility
- Undergraduate, ≥2 full-time semesters completed
- GPA ≥3.0/4.0 (equivalent ~8.0/10)
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 100 / Duolingo 130 / IELTS 7.5 OR native speaker OR English-medium institution (IITM qualifies)
- Solid preparation for research area
Full Timeline
Event | Date |
|---|---|
Nominations Open | Now |
IITM Nom DL | 10 Jan 2026 |
Student App DL | 30 Jan 2026 |
Decisions | Late Feb |
Arrive Ithaca | 2 Jun 2026 |
Orientation | 8 Jun 2026 |
Program Ends | 17 Jul 2026 |
Depart | 18 Jul 2026 |
IITM Nomination Process
- Fill Interest Form.
- The Nomination Form and Information will be shared based on the students' interest
Info Session: 5 Jan 2026, 10AM ET (8:30PM IST): Join
Finances (Exact Estimates USD - Billed to Bursar)
Category | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Registration Fee | $750 | Incl. app fee |
Visa/SEVIS | $535 | F-1 |
Housing (Double, 42 days) | $2,352 | $56/night; Single $2,856 |
Health Insurance | $685 | Mandatory |
Health Fee | $145 | Summer |
Meal Plan (Optional) | $659 | 30 meals/week + $200 bucks |
Self-Catering Meals | $900 est. | Alternative |
Local Bus (TCAT) | $50 | |
Airfare | Self | |
Total Est. | $5,000-6,000 |
Housing & Life
- Mandatory summer housing (residence hall).
- Meals: Campus dining or self-cater.
- Events: Cohort meals, excursions.
Visa & Arrival
- F-1 visa (I-20 post-acceptance).
- Submit passport scan, finances declaration.
- OGL/SCE advises full process.
App Requirements (Post-Nomination)
- SOP: Academic/personal/professional fit with project(s).
- CV/Resume.
- Transcript.
- English proof.
IITM Support: Interest form → Nomination. Contact: Arvindhan | 044 2257 8853 | arvindhan@ge.iitm.ac.in
Express interest now!
Update (29 January 2026)
The nominations of the following students will be forwarded to Cornell University for final review:
S.No | First Name | Last Name | Roll Number | Department | CGPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vrishab | Anurag Venkataraghavan | DA24B033 | Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics | 9.25 |
2 | Anoushka | Ranjan Kuriakos | ME24B084 | Mechanical Engineering | 8.59 |
Please note that the above shortlisted student nominations will be reviewed by the Cornell University selection committee, and the final results will be announced by the host institution in due course.