About US
The ACED (AERIM) program was set up in the department of mechanical engineering at Oakland University (OU) to provide meaningful, hands-on, paid 10-week summer research experiences to undergraduate engineering students from across the United States. Student participants work in teams on automotive and clean energy-related research projects in mechanical engineering that have a direct impact on U.S. energy consumption, decarbonization, and vehicle electrification. Special emphasis is placed on technologies that aim to improve the design and efficiency of vehicle propulsion systems, automotive materials and manufacturing, and alternative energy systems. The goal of this program is to engage participants in rewarding research experiences that excite and motivate them to pursue careers in scientific and engineering research. In particular, one of the goals of this REU site is to address the nationwide problem of the under-representation of women and minorities in the sciences, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and more specifically in the field of mechanical engineering.
Program Benefits
Participants in this 10-week summer research program receive the following benefits:
A $7,000 stipend for full participation in the 10-week REU program.
On-campus housing at no extra cost to those students requiring it.
A weekly meal allowance.
A travel allowance to cover the costs of traveling to Oakland University. The amount will be based on the actual cost of transportation
Funds may also be available to cover the travel costs of participants to a research conference.
Please note that students cannot be working or taking classes during the 10 weeks of the program.
Activities
A number of additional activities are planned during the course of the program. A few examples are listed below:
Industrial site and research lab tours
Formal and informal interactions with working engineers, faculty and industry mentors
Activities meant to enhance students' communication skills
Seminars on topics related to emerging automotive and energy technologies
Information about graduate school
Conferences and professional activities (such as attending the Annual SAE Young Automotive Professionals Conference and presenting at the Annual Mid-SURE undergraduate research conference at Michigan State University)
Outreach activities to K-12 students
Leisure activities