Research Internship for Young Academics (RIYA) Program

The Ohio State University’s Research Internship for Young Academics (RIYA) program is designed to facilitate cutting-edge research experiences for undergraduate mechanical engineering students from top institutes in India.

The prestigious RIYA program, which was established in 2014, is seeking candidates with exceptional research aptitude. Participants will work closely with renowned faculty in Ohio State’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, along with a world-class research team.

Program details:

  • 10-week program (from May to July, with some flexibility in the dates) 
    (Note: Only virtual internships are planned in Summer 2024.)
  • Candidates must have completed three years in a recognized mechanical engineering Bachelor of Technology program or a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program (in a related discipline) to be eligible
  • Through a generous gift from the Singh Family Fund and other endowments, each on-campus participant may receive an allowance of $2,500 to $5,000. This funding includes a nominal stipend, housing subsidy and an international travel allowance
    (Note: No allowance can be provided to the RIYA scholars in the virtual internship mode while working as volunteers from India.)
  • Students’ faculty mentors in India will receive $500 to permit research by their RIYA scholar during the academic year in his/her Indian institution
  • Faculty mentors in India who regularly participate in the program are eligible for a travel grant to visit The Ohio State University

This prestigious award provides each student with a rewarding learning experience that will help strengthen his or her knowledge, leadership and research skills. By participating in this unique program, students will develop an understanding of graduate-level studies, which will position them to have a successful career in an academic or industrial research and design (R&D) setting. Most RIYA scholars have pursued master's degrees or doctoral-level studies in renowned U.S. universities or comparable institutions elsewhere after graduation.

Facilities participating in the RIYA program (subject to changes)


INTERESTED? To be considered for the RIYA internship in the summer of 2024 submit your initial application form for screening.


Initial application deadline: October 5, 2023 

Qualified applicants will then be invited to submit the following:

  • Formal (full) application form (to be provided only to the most promising students)
  • Course transcript for the first two or three years
  • Two letters of recommendation and a scan of the passport or government-issued ID
  • Deadline to submit the formal application and supplemental materials: November 15, 2023
  • Interviews (via zoom) to take place from Nov. 16, 2023 to Jan. 15, 2024
  • Please do not directly contact the RIYA program director (Prof. Singh) or any other faculty or staff until the final selection

2023 RIYA Scholars: Experience to be posted soon

2022 RIYA Scholars: Excellence in Undergraduate Research Experience Continues

Six scholars participated in the RIYA summer 2022 program from top-ranked mechanical engineering programs across India, with one worked on-campus and the rest worked from India in the virtual mode.


Vartika
Indian Institute of Technology – BHU

Vartika

My main aim was to develop a suitable model for hydraulic bushing using linear and non-linear formulations in the frequency domain. The online mode of the internship was well planned and executed. Working remotely had the advantage of working in a comfortable environment of home. This RIYA experience intrigued my interest in research and helped me improve my communication skills. I thank Prof. Singh and Prof. Fredette for the excellent learning experience.

 

 

 

Kishore Ram Sathia

Indian Institute of Technology – Madras

Kishore-Ram-Sathia

I worked on designing a silencer to target high frequency noise at the inlet of turbocharger compressors in diesel engines. I worked with a theoretical acoustic model, used acoustic finite element analysis and CFD simulations to come up with my design. My research advisors (Prof. Selamet and Dr. Dehner), and PhD candidates (Pranav Sriganesh and Deb Banerjee) were very approachable and helpful throughout the internship. I was able to finish most of the tasks I had set out to do by the end of the 10 weeks. The weekly online meetings with Prof. Singh and the other RIYA scholars were very helpful. The RIYA internship has given me a much stronger idea as to how one goes about conducting research and has convinced me to apply for a PhD in a field close to the topic of my RIYA project.

 

Shivam Jignesh Vashi

VJTI - Mumbai

Jignesh-Shivam-Vashi

I researched at the GearLab (Gear and Power Transmission Laboratory). The research was about how one can analyze and interpret the experimental gear tooth bending fatigue data. Statistical Analysis played a big role as the experimental data is always prone to non-linearities which makes the statistical concepts of probability, mean and standard deviation important. I liked the overall structure and execution of the Internship Program. Even though I was sitting at the same desk in my house throughout the internship, the discussions via zoom calls with Dr. Singh and my mentors (Dr. Talbot and Dr. Hong) kept the internship very lively and interesting. Weekly group discussions with the RIYA cohort and Dr. Singh would push us into knowing more about ourselves in a professional environment. The RIYA internship has acquired me with so many skills, both soft and technical, which are definitely going to help me in the future endeavors.

Shubham Hemchandra Deshmukh 

Indian Institute of Technology – BHU

Shubham-Hemchandra-Deshmukh

I performed Multiphysics FEA analysis of a baseplate of an electric bus inverter to understand heat dissipation via baseplate under guidance of Prof. Ardeshir Contractor at Computational Laboratory for Energy Applied Research (CLEAR). For the transient analysis, I calculated heat generated by the electronic circuit and obtained temperature distribution for the selected drive cycle. My progress was continuously monitored by my mentor. Virtual group meetings at Frontier Research Center helped me understand work culture and different research domains at the CLEAR lab. It was a great experience to work on a real-life project (results of which can be directly implemented in industry) and understand ways to contribute in industry by performing research. It was nice to live with family and work simultaneously with a flexible schedule.

 

Samarth Patil 

VIT – Pune

Samarth-Patil

During the internship period, I was working on the photovoltaic integration on electric buses, and analyzing the performance of the system. My work was mainly regarding the investigation of the effect of PV integration on the range, and run time of the vehicle; also, on the battery pack weight reduction of the vehicle and standby charging losses. Interactions with Prof. Contractor were amazing. I mainly tried to learn the method to tackle research problems, from the meetings with him. Prof. Contractor guided me throughout the project, and was very helpful and flexible. The interactions in the group discussions with Prof. Singh meetings were great, and hence the program seemed lively. The guest lectures were highly knowledgeable. I consider myself extremely fortunate, that I got a chance to interact with the guests along with Prof. Singh himself.

 

Sarath Chandra

Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad

Sarath-Chandra

My work involved with extending the research on elastomeric quasi-zero-stiffness isolator with several sensitivity studies by performing finite element simulations in ABAQUS. My research continued with elastomeric cascaded models which showed similar properties as of steel analytical models. Also using spacers in stacking models helped in controlling the stopper which kicks in before the quasi-zero-stiffness peak occurs. Even though the program was conducted entirely online and there were internet issues throughout, the way this internship was conducted deserves praise.


Click here to learn about previous RIYA Scholars.

Professor Emeritus Rajendra Singh

photo of Raj Singh
Professor Emeritus Rajendra Singh is the founder and director of the RIYA program.

Singh is well-respected internationally for his research, teaching and consulting work in machinery vibration, acoustics, nonlinear dynamics and digital signal processing, with applications to vehicles and geared systems.

“The intent of this unmatched program is to provide world-class internship opportunities to some of the best undergraduate students in India, while exposing them to modern aspects of mechanical engineering and enhancing their critical thinking skills,” said Singh.

Through a generous gift from the Singh Family Fund and other endowments, each RIYA participant receives an allowance of $5,000. This funding includes a nominal stipend, housing subsidy and an international travel allowance.

To support the RIYA Scholars Award Fund, please visit: https://www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/?fund=646627.

photo of Professor Singh with RIYA scholars
The 2018 RIYA group with Prof. Raj Singh and Mentor Luke Fredette during one of their team discussions.