Credit-bearing research
Students can earn up to 6 credits through the program. A regular semester carries 2 credits, while summer or winter participation carries 1 credit.
MSFEA Vertically Integrated Projects Program (VIP)
AUB Frontier AI Fellows
A credit-bearing VIP research program for current AUB undergraduates in CCE, CSE, ECE, ME, Computer Science, and related fields, supervised by AUB faculty and co-supervised by international AI mentors.
Why it exists
Credit-bearing AI research under structured supervision.
AUB Frontier AI Fellows runs under MSFEA's Vertically Integrated Projects Program (VIP). Students earn academic credit for sustained AI research effort under the supervision of an AUB faculty member and the co-supervision of an international mentor. The target is serious research training: paper reading, implementation, experimentation, communication, and publication-facing work.
Program shape
A staged VIP path with research credits and advancement checks.
Faculty and mentor supervision
Each student works under an AUB faculty supervisor, with co-supervision from an international mentor who helps shape the research direction and standards.
Progression by diligence
Students qualify for the next credit-earning course only after presenting the previous cohort's work and passing due diligence on effort, progress, and fit.
Supervision model
A small structure keeps research supervision meaningful.
Research groups are intentionally compact so students get real attention while faculty supervisors and international mentors keep a manageable commitment.
1
AUB faculty supervisor
1
international AI mentor
1-3
AUB undergraduate students
The AUB faculty supervisor owns academic oversight; the international mentor supports research direction and external perspective.
Student journey
Credit progression depends on presentation and review.
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1
Semester research course
Students join a VIP research course and contribute to a defined AI research effort. Regular semesters carry 2 credits; summer and winter terms carry 1 credit.
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2
Cohort presentation
At the end of a cohort, students present what they worked on, what they learned, and what evidence exists for progress toward the research objective.
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3
Due diligence before continuation
Continuation into the next credit-earning course is granted only after review of participation, output quality, reliability, and fit for the next phase.
Good fit
For current AUB undergraduates who can be consistent before they are advanced.
Students in CCE, CSE, ECE, ME, Computer Science, and related fields do not need a publication record to start, but they should be ready for consistent research effort across a credit-bearing VIP course. The program will be very selective, and strong motivation is the best drive. The strongest candidates show:
- curiosity about modern AI research questions
- comfort learning new technical tools quickly
- clear written updates and follow-through
- willingness to read papers, reproduce results, and ask precise questions
Public outcomes
A transparent record of serious research outcomes.
Internships
Research assistantships
Top-tier submissions
Top-tier publications
PhD admissions
Open-source contributions
Student achievements
Next cohort
Interested students can submit an expression of interest.
The first cohort of students is expected to start in Spring 2026-27. Interviews and shortlisting will begin in November 2026. The expression-of-interest form is for current AUB undergraduates in CCE, CSE, ECE, ME, Computer Science, and related fields. Responses help identify student background, AI preparation, research interests, and possible mentor matches.
Submit interest form
Selected students will receive follow-up details about course registration, research matching, cohort expectations, and communication channels.
For more information, contact Ammar Mohanna at am288@aub.edu.lb.