Application

Get $7500 to support your research idea!  The IRI program provides a number of UCLA undergraduates from any major with funding to pursue the research ideas that they are passionate about!

Applications are now OPEN for the 2026-2027 IRI cohort.
Due Date: May 1, 2026

Here are general instructions on IRI applications:

Your application should articulate your commitment toward a well-described research project that addresses some aspect of technology development, social trends or problems, art and design, ethics, and/or justice, as it contributes to the advancement of the future Internet.

After reading our FAQ and the IRI Mission Statement, please review and prepare your response below. When you are ready to apply, please submit your responses through our online application form. If you have any questions about the application, please contact us at iri@cs.ucla.edu.

The application questions are below, annotated for your convenience.

Note: You can use the $7,500 prize money for anything from research to living expenses. However, you may encounter certain restrictions on the use of funds from the IRI Prize, primarily that you must be enrolled full time each quarter for the full academic year to receive the prize. Please refer to our FAQ for information about the prize money and the disbursement of funds through UCLA Financial Aid office

Prize recipients will participate in quarterly meetings throughout the prize year, including a kick-off event at the beginning of Fall quarter and a final showcase of research work at the end of Spring quarter. In addition, students will submit short monthly updates on their progress.

2026-2027 Application Format:

1. Give a short descriptive title for your project. (10 words or less)

Note: This title can and probably will change later, but for now, give us something that helps us remember your project proposal.

2. Video Link

Please adhere to the instructions below carefully, as this may result in your application not being considered if not followed.

Format Requirements

  • Length: 60 seconds (submissions over 75 seconds will not be reviewed)
  • No faces or identifying visual information — this is a blind review process. Your voice is allowed; your face and any identifying elements should not be part of the video.
  • Video Modality
    • You are encouraged to be creative. The following are all valid approaches:
    • Voiceover over slides — PowerPoint, Google Slides with a recorded narration.
    • Screen-recorded demo or prototype walkthrough
    • Animation or motion graphics
    • AI-generated visuals with voiceover — Responsible and appropriate/relevant use of clips that help convey your idea and story
  • Video Visibility
    • Youtube unlisted link (preferred)
    • Google drive link
      • If your video is not accessible through the URL shared in the form, your application cannot be considered. Please check that you can access this video from another account just from the URL that has been shared.

Questions that can be addressed

  • What is the problem or issue you are investigating and why?
  • How will your project address that problem or issue?
  • What is your proposed project?
  • Why is your project is unique?
  • What will be the benefit of your work?
  • Who will benefit?
  • What are the social implications of the work?
  • What are the technical implications of the work?

3.  You may choose to identify current mentor(s) you’d like to work with.

Note:
By participating, applicants warrant that the research, through its creation and its submission as an entry, does not infringe upon or violate intellectual property rights held by any third person or party.