Engineering the Next Generation (ENG)

For six weeks, students work with Columbia Engineering researchers and participate in programming to develop their academic and professional skills. Students gain practical research experience, collaborate with research faculty, staff, and students, practice new skills, and take part in multi-level mentorship. ENG has two tracks students can apply to: Foundations of Research (FoR) or Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3). 
  • Program components include experience in working on genuine engineering research projects, research skills and college prep workshops, science communications workshops, and additional supplemental seminars and opportunities.
  • Students are provided with a stipend to support them over the summer.
  • We encourage all rising seniors (current 11th graders) with an interest in engineering and research to apply.

 

Applicants should know the application uses the same platform as the graduate school so some questions may not be relevant for high school students. Those questions can be left blank.

Note: Admitted students must follow Columbia University's public health protocols, which include vaccination against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR). Students must also attend NYC schools.

ENG Track Information

11th-grade high school students (rising seniors) work with Columbia Engineering researchers for six weeks to gain practical research experience, collaborate with research faculty, staff, and students, and participate in multi-level mentorship. Students earn a stipend to support them over the summer. 

  • Open to all rising NYC seniors (current 11th graders) with an interest in engineering who are legally allowed to work in NYC
  • High-schoolers learn and conduct research alongside Columbia faculty
  • Research will include Biomedical, Computer Science, Environmental Engineering, and more
  • Students will develop research skills and attend college prep workshops, science communications workshops, and additional supplemental seminars and opportunities
  • Students are paid by NYC's Ladder for Leaders Program (L4L) so must also apply via DYCD to be eligible. In the application select "Pencil" as the provider. The initial deadline for L4L was January 9, 2026.
  • Accepted students are required to complete all PENCIL/L4L training and enrollment components.
  • Prior work or volunteer experience is required.
  • Stipend provided: $17/hour at 25 hours/week

 

Students can apply for the CS3 track of the ENG program through the My Streetscape Summer Research Institute. This interdisciplinary education program on urban technology and trust organized by the Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3) and the Trust Collaboratory. The program is designed for 11th-grade high-school students (rising seniors) from Harlem and the surrounding area who are interested in engineering and the social sciences. 

What to Expect:

  • Conduct engineering and social science research with Columbia University faculty and graduate students
  • Develop AI tools, improve your coding and data science skills, learn about computer vision and Internet of Things (IoT), explore transportation engineering and urban mobility applications
  • Investigate how tech can shape urban life in Harlem with a focus on trust, safety, privacy, and community needs
  • Potential presentation to city officials to impact NYC streetscapes and research paper publication
  • Students are paid via NSF grant funding provided by the Center for Smart Streetscapes
  • Stipend provided: $17/hour at 25 hours/week

 

Partnerships

ENG serves many partners from independent organizations to Columbia's internal centers. Here are some of our partnerships that make ENG possible:

Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3)

Trust Collaboratory at Columbia University

The Artificial and Natural Intelligence Institute (ARNI)

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)

Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP)

Center for Precision Assembled Quantum Materials (PAQM)

National Science Foundation

 

The ENG program is an excellent opportunity for members of the Columbia Engineering community to connect with high school students.

  • Undergraduate summer researchers can be involved in college preparation workshops
  • Graduate students can serve as mentors for ENG students
  • Postdocs can teach research skills seminars and contribute to career planning workshops
  • Faculty host ENG students in their labs

ENG Cohort Research Projects

In 2024, our students conducted research in various projects, from studying ACL injuries in biomedical engineering to partnering with the Center for Smart Street Scapes (CS3) to engage in social science and communication. To learn more about the 2024 ENG cohort and their projects, click here!

 

In 2023, our students conducted research in various projects, from studying organic dyes in chemical engineering to partnering with the Center for Smart Street Scapes (CS3) to engage in social science and communication. To learn more about the 2023 ENG cohort and their projects, click here!

In 2022, our students focused on doing computational research with their labs and mentors. The program included daily research skills and science communications workshops, which culminated in multiple projects. To learn more about the 2022 ENG cohort and their projects, click here!

Admitted Students

We are excited to welcome you this summer for ENG 2026! Once you have accepted your admission offer you must complete several steps before joining us.

Within a few weeks of accepting your place in the cohort, you will receive an email with your UNI. After you receive this email, you can complete the steps listed below. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Next Steps

You will receive your UNI via email within a few weeks of accepting your place in the cohort. Once you have your UNI, please activate your account here. You will need to click on "Activate my UNI or LionMail account" and follow the steps listed. If you've previously had a UNI, you may not to use the "Forgot my Password" page to continue.

For information on how to use your Columbia LionMail account (Columbia's official email account), please read here.

Once you have activated your UNI, there may be a one day lag before you can complete the steps listed below. If you try to complete these steps and cannot, please allow 24 hours before attempting again. If you continue to experience issues, please email us at [email protected].

For your Columbia ID card, please upload a photo of yourself online. You will receive your ID card on your first day on campus. Returning students do not need to upload a new photo but can update their existing photo for a $20 fee. 

A few days after activating your UNI, you will have access to upload your immunization documentation in the Student Health Portal. New York State public health law and University policy require that all students complete several immunization requirements and submit documentation prior to registering for their first term. ENG students must submit documentation no later than 15 days from receiving their UNI via email. Students will not be allowed to attend the first day of classes if the immunization office has not cleared them for compliance. Students will not be registered until immunization has been cleared.

Directions on how to submit your immunization documentation can be found here.  Questions regarding immunization compliance should be directed to [email protected]. The ENG office cannot answer specific questions regarding your immunization compliance status.

PDF Link to Immunization Form

On your application checklist, you will need to fill out the following forms: 

  • Health Form
  • Media Release
  • Assumption of Risk

  • Conduct Agreement

     

Please make sure that the Emergency Contact listed on your Health Form is current and accurate! 

More Information

Students seeking academic or campus accommodations and support services from Disability Services (DS) are required to register with the office. Please see the instructions here.

For food allergens or dietary restrictions, please refer to the Campus Dining Dietician page here.