The RAISE Program: Advancing Graduate Education in AI

The Responsive and Resilient AI for Autonomous Systems Engineering (RAISE) program at the University of New Mexico is a $3 million NSF National Research Traineeship designed to transform graduate education in artificial intelligence and autonomy. RAISE brings together state-of-the-art research and professional training to prepare the next generation of innovators who can design AI within its human and social context.

RAISE Fellows receive full support, including a $34,000 annual stipend along with tuition, fees, and benefits. Master’s students are funded for one year, while PhD students receive two years of support. Fellows will also complete convergent research projects in AI and autonomous systems, take part in a two-semester course on ethics as design for human-centered autonomy, and gain real-world experience through summer internships with industry and national laboratory partners.

The program goes beyond technical training by offering professional development workshops, seminars, and an annual field day, as well as a formal triad mentoring program that links students with peers, faculty, and external experts. These experiences help students develop as leaders while building strong connections across research and professional communities.

The goals of RAISE are to advance cutting-edge research, train graduates who understand the ethical and social dimensions of AI, broaden participation in STEM, and strengthen local community and workforce pipelines. Applications for the next cohort will open in Fall 2025, offering students a unique opportunity to join a community dedicated to shaping the future of responsible AI and autonomy.

Applications start in fall of 2025. Learn more at: https://raise.unm.edu/index.html