Cyber NYC is a cross-institution research experiences for undergraduates (REU) program across NYU, CUNY, Cornell Tech, and Columbia (including Barnard). In the 10-week program, faculty at all four institutions are matched with undergraduates from all the institutions for students to carry out mentored research in cybersecurity, with a particular focus on cross-institution matching. The rich research experience combines one-to-one mentoring with joint activities and opportunities, including multiple joint events; information about research careers, graduate school, and other pathways; and a community-building social program. The diversity of faculty and projects involved highlights cybersecurity as an important and varied field that draws on multiple disciplines and approaches to solve problems ranging from foundational to practical to sociotechnical. The program cross-pollinates people and ideas across the four institutions, leading to a more robust NYC cyber community and promoting the research training of the students involved.
Application Instructions
Thank you for beginning your application to the Cyber NYC REU! We appreciate that you have decided to explore the program and we look forward to reviewing your application in its entirety. The instructions on this page are specific to Cyber NYC REU applicants; please refer to them throughout the application process.
Eligibility
The Cyber NYC REU is open to current undergraduate students who will be rising juniors and seniors in Summer 2026.
Policies
Applicants will be required to attest to the accuracy and authenticity of all information and documents submitted. If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact tm3337@columbia.edu
Failure to submit complete, accurate, and authentic application documents consistent with these instructions may result in denial or revocation of admission.
Submitting Your Application
Please be sure that all sections of the application have been completed before you click "Submit." You cannot change answers to any application questions after your application has been submitted. After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation to the email address you provided in your application. If you do not receive this email, make sure you have completed all of the necessary steps for submission of your application.
Applications are not considered to be complete until all required documents and components are submitted.
Transcripts and Recommendations
Instructions for Providing Academic History and Transcript
Please list all colleges and universities you have attended for at least one term, regardless of the number of credits received, including professional schools and summer study from which you have received academic credit. The first institution you list should be the most recent institution you have attended.
Instructions for Providing Recommendations
Please list one professor who will submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf, along with their email.
Letters of recommendation should be written by faculty members with whom you have studied, who can assess your academic work, intellectual ability, research potential, and your suitability for the program. Personal references are not appropriate.
You should request the letter of recommendation as early as possible. To avoid any delay in the review of your materials, we urge you to verify that your letter has been submitted by the time you submit your application. You may submit your application even if your letter has not yet been received, but your application will not be considered complete until the letter has arrived.
Recommendation Submission Policies
- Under no circumstances should you upload a letter on behalf of a recommendation provider. Any person who writes a letter of recommendation must submit that letter themselves through the application system.
- Letters of recommendation may not be sent via email, nor may paper letters be sent via postal mail. All letters must be uploaded by the recommendation provider directly to the application system.
- When entering contact information for recommendation providers, you must use their institutional or professional email address. References submitted from personal or anonymous email accounts (e.g. Gmail, Yahoo, 123.com, 163.com, qq.com etc.) will be subject to additional review and may result in your application being considered ineligible for admission.
- Recommenders WILL BE UNABLE to submit a Letter of Recommendation without being granted access to the submission form, so you must input their contact information correctly.
- Cyber NYC will verify all submitted letters of recommendation. In submitting your application, you authorize Cyber NYC to contact your recommendation providers.
Information to Share With Your Recommendation Providers
- Before adding their information to the application, please contact your recommendation providers and inform them that they will receive an email with a submission link from tm3337@columbia.edu that will provide instructions regarding their letters.
- Ensure your recommendation provider is aware that they will be asked to complete a brief evaluation form within the application system and upload a letter of recommendation on institutional letterhead. Both components are necessary to fulfill the requirement and must be provided within the application system. We will not accept letters sent via email or post mail.
- Inform your recommendation providers that they may be contacted by a Cyber NYC REU admissions team member to verify their recommendation letter.
- We strongly suggest you give your recommendation providers a timeline for providing the recommendation and proactively follow up with them until the letter is submitted.