Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program - NSF Summer Research
NSF REU
Supports intensive research by undergraduate students in any NSF-funded area of research. REU Sites engage a cohort of students in research projects related to a theme. REU Supplements engage students in research related to a new or ongoing NSF research award.
Synopsis
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department or may offer interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome. (2) REU Supplements may be included as a component of proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or cooperative agreements or may be requested for ongoing NSF-funded research projects.
Undergraduate student participants in either REU Sites or REU Supplements must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.
Students do not apply to NSF to participate in REU activities. Students apply directly to REU Sites or to NSF-funded investigators who receive REU Supplements. To identify appropriate REU Sites, students should consult the directory of active REU Sites on the Web at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm.
Application deadlines vary depending on the specific research site or institution. Most REU programs have application deadlines between January and March for summer programs. Students must contact the individual sites for information and application materials.
Note about UW Bothell – UW Bothell usually has a few REU programs on campus every summer. If you are interested in participating, but you missed the deadline or were not accepted through the normal REU application process, please reach out the UW Research & Creative Projects Director at uwbur@uw.edu. They may know of a few other ways to get involved and will have the full list of on-campus REUs.
Disciplines are broad and have included:
- Astronomical Sciences
- Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
- Cyberinfrastructure
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Ethics and Values Studies
- International Science and Engineering (includes travel abroad)
- Materials Research
- Mathematical Sciences
- Ocean Sciences
- Physics
- Polar Programs
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
- Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
- STEM Education