NSF REU

NSF REU. The National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program is a flagship initiative of the National Science Foundation designed to involve undergraduate students in meaningful scientific research. Established in 1987, it provides funded opportunities for students to engage in hands-on projects across a wide spectrum of STEM and social science fields. The program aims to strengthen the nation's scientific workforce by encouraging students to pursue advanced degrees and careers in research.

Overview

The program was created to address national concerns about the pipeline of future scientists and engineers, as highlighted in reports like *A Nation at Risk*. It operates on the principle that active participation in original research is a powerful form of undergraduate education, a concept championed by organizations like the Council on Undergraduate Research. Unlike typical internships, these experiences immerse students in the complete research process under the mentorship of established faculty at universities, national laboratories, and field stations. The initiative is closely aligned with the broader educational missions of the National Science Board and complements other NSF educational programs like the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Program structure and funding

Funding is provided through two primary mechanisms: REU Sites and REU Supplements. An REU Site is a standalone program at a host institution, such as the University of Michigan or the Marine Biological Laboratory, that supports a cohort of students working on related themes. REU Supplements are added to existing NSF research grants, allowing principal investigators to directly support undergraduate researchers on their specific projects. A standard program provides students with a stipend, often covering housing and travel to locations like the Arecibo Observatory or Kitt Peak National Observatory. Program activities frequently include workshops on ethics in science, presentations at symposia like the American Chemical Society National Meeting, and field trips to facilities such as the National Institutes of Health.

Eligibility and application process

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. While some sites target students from smaller institutions like community colleges or liberal arts colleges, others seek applicants with specific academic backgrounds. The highly competitive application process typically requires transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement detailing research interests. Selection committees, often comprising faculty from departments like MIT Department of Physics or the Stanford University School of Engineering, look for academic promise and a strong alignment with the site's research focus, which could range from polar research in Antarctica to archaeology at Cahokia.

Participating disciplines and sites

Programs span an extensive array of disciplines within the NSF's purview. In the biological sciences, sites may focus on genomics at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory or ecology in the Amazon rainforest. Engineering sites might involve nanotechnology research at the University of Texas at Austin or robotics at Carnegie Mellon University. Physical science opportunities include astrophysics at the Green Bank Telescope and chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Social and behavioral science sites support research in areas like economic anthropology or cognitive psychology at institutions such as the University of Chicago.

Impact and outcomes

The program has demonstrated a significant positive impact on participants' career trajectories. Longitudinal studies show that alumni are more likely to enroll in graduate programs at institutions like California Institute of Technology or Harvard University and pursue careers in sectors including NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The experience often results in co-authorship on papers in journals like *Science (journal)* or presentations at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting*. Beyond individual success, the program strengthens research capacity at a broad range of institutions, from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to major research centers like the Mayo Clinic.

Category:National Science Foundation Category:Science education in the United States Category:Research programs