REU Program

REU Program
Name	Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Abbreviation	REU
Established	1987
Founder	National Science Foundation
Focus	Undergraduate research
Website	https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/

REU Program. The Research Experiences for Undergraduates program is a flagship initiative of the National Science Foundation designed to engage undergraduate students in hands-on scientific research. Established in the late 1980s, it provides funded opportunities for students to work alongside faculty mentors at universities, national laboratories, and field stations across the United States. These intensive summer or academic-year experiences aim to prepare participants for advanced study and careers in STEM fields, contributing significantly to the nation's scientific workforce.

Overview

The program supports active research participation in any of the areas funded by the National Science Foundation, spanning disciplines from astrophysics and molecular biology to materials science and social psychology. Projects are hosted at sites located at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Jackson Laboratory. Participants, often from institutions with limited research opportunities, are integrated into ongoing projects, gaining exposure to techniques like DNA sequencing, computational modeling, and telescope observation. The experience frequently culminates in presentations at conferences such as the American Physical Society March Meeting or publications in journals like *Science*.

History and Purpose

The program was formally launched in 1987 following recommendations from reports like *America's Competitive Challenge* and the White House Science Council. Its creation was driven by concerns over U.S. competitiveness, highlighted by events like the Sputnik crisis and the rise of technological rivals such as Japan. Key figures in the National Science Board and directors of the National Science Foundation, including Erich Bloch, championed the initiative to strengthen the pipeline of future scientists and engineers. The primary purpose is to attract and retain talented undergraduates, particularly from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, into research careers by providing early, meaningful engagement beyond typical classroom instruction at institutions like Howard University or Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Program Structure and Components

A typical summer site hosts 8-15 students for an 8-10 week intensive period. The structure includes a core research project under the guidance of a principal investigator and mentorship from postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Complementary components often involve weekly seminars featuring guest speakers from organizations like NASA or the National Institutes of Health, workshops on ethics in science and scientific communication, and training in specialized software like MATLAB or PyMOL. Cohort-building activities, field trips to facilities like the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory or Argonne National Laboratory, and a final symposium where students present posters are standard elements that mirror the professional academic conference environment.

Participant Selection and Eligibility

Selection is highly competitive, with applicants evaluated on academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and prior research experience. Eligibility requires that students are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents, and enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. Strong preference is often given to students from community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and institutions with limited research infrastructure, as well as those from backgrounds underrepresented in science, including participants in programs like MARC U*STAR or SACNAS. The application process typically opens in the fall, with deadlines in January or February for summer placements at sites such as those at the University of Texas at Austin or the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Impact and Outcomes

The program has demonstrated a significant positive impact on participants' career trajectories, with many alumni pursuing advanced degrees at institutions like Stanford University or Caltech. Longitudinal studies, including surveys by the American Institute of Physics and the American Chemical Society, show that participants are more likely to enroll in PhD programs and publish in journals like *Nature* compared to peers. The program has also strengthened research networks between Predominantly Black Institutions and major research universities, and has contributed to notable discoveries in fields from nanotechnology to climate science. Many alumni, such as Frances Arnold and other Nobel Prize laureates, cite their early research experience as foundational.

Notable REU Sites and Fields

Prestigious sites are often affiliated with major research centers. In astronomy, sites at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank or the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics are highly sought after. In ecology, programs at the University of Michigan Biological Station or the Kellogg Biological Station offer extensive field work. Engineering-focused sites include those at the Georgia Institute of Technology for robotics and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for supercomputing. Interdisciplinary sites, such as those in synthetic biology at the MIT Media Lab or in polar science through the University of Alaska Fairbanks, highlight the program's breadth across the National Science Foundation's directorates.

Category:Science education in the United States Category:National Science Foundation Category:Undergraduate research