Program Overview

Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture (AI4SA) is a multi-institutional and interdisciplinary research project based out of UC Riverside. Partner institutions include the University of Arizona, Duke University, University of Georgia, and Kansas State University. The project is funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

For thousands of years, the Colorado River and Salinas River have supplied surrounding regions with access to fresh water for growing crops. Climate change is threatening current and future access to these waters, with crop stressors (e.g., salinity, drought, pests) expected to require additional resources to protect crops and profits. It is the goal of the research and work being done throughout this project to provide actionable knowledge and tangible tools to improve sustainable management of these agricultural regions in the Western U.S.

Digital Agriculture Fellowship

A key part of this project is the Digital Agriculture Fellowship. This 15 month fellowship provides an enriching experience combining research, professional development, and industry opportunities in digital agriculture. The fellowship begins with participation in the 2025 RISE Summer Program (June 23 to August 29, 2025) and continues throughout the academic year. Fellows will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in the 2025 RISE Summer Program, which includes intensive research experiences, professional development workshops, and team-building activities.
• Engage in ongoing research during Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and Spring 2026 by working 10-12 hours per week in their Faculty Mentor's Lab (see Faculty bios and project descriptions). Fellows will receive a quarterly stipend during this time.
• Explore career opportunities in digital agriculture through potential AgTech externships in Summer 2026.

Outcome

A major purpose of the Fellowship Program is to revitalize interest in pursuing agriculture as a career, by providing students with the experience and guidance necessary for entering the U.S. agricultural workforce. Throughout the Fellowship Program, students will be given networking opportunities, hands-on research experience, and mentorship from the scientists of the AI4SA project.

Eligibility

• Current undergraduate students from UCR or partnering institutions
• Minimum GPA of 3.0, evaluated after Fall 2024 grades post
• Research Areas include: Data Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Sciences, and/or Engineering (focus on environmental, agricultural, and sustainability).
• UCR Majors may include: Computer Science, Data Science, Earth Science, Entomology, Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geophysics, Mathematics, Plant Biology, Statistics.
• Eligible applicants must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in their undergraduate studies. Seniors can apply if they will remain enrolled at UCR through Fall 2025 and are committed to the full 15-month fellowship.
• Must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Resident per USDA grant guidelines.

15 Month Fellowship APPLICATION FOR UCR STUDENTS 

Summer Research Opportunity for Community College Students & Partnering Institutions 

The Digital Agricultural Fellowship (DAF) is excited to offer community college students and undergraduates from our partnering institutions—Duke University, Kansas State University, University of Georgia, and the University of Arizona—an opportunity to participate in the 2025 RISE Summer Program at UC Riverside. This program provides a unique, hands-on research experience in the rapidly evolving fields of agronomy, artificial intelligence, and environmental science, offering exposure to cutting-edge Digital Agriculture research led by UC Riverside faculty.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be enrolled at a community college or one of our partnering institutions (Duke University, Kansas State University, or the University of Arizona).
• Minimum GPA of 3.0, evaluated after Fall 2024 grades post
• Research Areas include: Data Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Sciences, and/or Engineering (focus on environmental, agricultural, and sustainability).
• UCR Majors may include: Computer Science, Data Science, Earth Science, Entomology, Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geophysics, Mathematics, Plant Biology, Statistics.
• Eligible applicants must be able to work up to 40 hours/week and must be available Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM (some evening/weekend hours at the discretion of your Faculty Mentor)
• Must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Resident per USDA grant guidelines.

​​​​​​2025 Summer aPPLICATION FOR Non-UCR Students 

 Education and Training Path

Each year, a group of students will be selected to join the Fellowship Program. Within that group or cohort, selected students will participate in the UCR RISE summer research program along with student-led research opportunities. Some students may participate in an industry-based externship at the end of the program.

Students will be selected for cohorts from March until May. The first cohort will be selected starting in March of 2021. The second cohort will be selected the following year in 2022, and this process will continue until 2025 when the final and fifth Cohort will be selected.

After cohort selection, Digital Agriculture Fellows will first participate in the RISE summer research program, which lasts for ten weeks. During the RISE summer research program, students will be mentored by AI4SA faculty and participate in workshops focusing on: research integrity, scientific communication, graduate school preparation, networking, and career exploration. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their research findings at the RISE symposium.

Once the UCR RISE summer research program concludes in August, Fellows will begin their 9-month long student-led research. Students will be paired with a project investigator at their home university to collaborate with during this experience. DAF students will also be included in other activities, like field trips and virtual research progress meetings with scientists from partner campuses.

In May after Year 1, once the student-led research experience is completed, there will be additional opportunities for externship experiences with industry partners. Fellows will be encouraged to apply for these positions. In total, students selected for a cohort will participate in at least fifteen months of research opportunities, possibly three months of externship opportunities, and can participate in annual scientific conferences.

For more information, please email: noelgras@ucr.edu or visit https://ai4sa.ucr.edu/