Research Experiences for Undergraduates

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

Research Experiences for Undergraduates are immersive scientific training programs designed to provide hands-on research opportunities to undergraduate students outside their home institutions. Primarily funded by the National Science Foundation, these competitive programs aim to cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers by placing them in active research environments at universities, national laboratories, and observatories. Participants work closely with faculty mentors on cutting-edge projects across disciplines like astronomy, molecular biology, materials science, and computer science.

Overview

The core mission of these programs is to engage undergraduates in meaningful, faculty-mentored research, often during the summer months. They serve as a critical pipeline for students considering advanced study in STEM fields, offering a realistic preview of graduate school and research careers. Institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory frequently host these intensive experiences. By participating, students contribute to ongoing scholarly work, which may lead to presentations at conferences like the American Physical Society March Meeting or publications in journals such as *Science*.

Program Structure and Components

A typical program spans eight to ten weeks, during which students are integrated into a research group. The structure usually includes a substantive research project, regular meetings with a principal investigator or faculty mentor, and training in specialized techniques, whether in a cleanroom for nanofabrication or using a telescope like those at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. Complementary professional development workshops cover topics like scientific writing, research ethics, and preparing for the Graduate Record Examinations. Many programs also include social activities, field trips to facilities like the Argonne National Laboratory, and a culminating symposium where participants present their findings.

Benefits and Outcomes

Participants gain significant advantages, including enhanced technical skills, deeper disciplinary knowledge, and stronger candidacy for graduate school admissions at institutions like Stanford University or the California Institute of Technology. The experience often clarifies career paths and builds a professional network with peers and established researchers. Many alumni credit the program with inspiring their pursuit of a Ph.D., leading to careers at organizations such as NASA, the Mayo Clinic, or Intel. The programs also aim to broaden participation in science by supporting students from historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and community colleges.

Types of REU Programs

Programs are categorized as **Site** or **Supplemental** awards. Site programs support a cohort of students at a single host institution, such as a summer program in marine biology at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution or in physics at Fermilab. Supplemental awards are attached to existing NSF-funded research grants, allowing individual principal investigators to support undergraduates on their specific projects, which might involve computational chemistry or field archaeology. Disciplinary focus varies widely, encompassing everything from paleontology in the Badlands National Park to robotics engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.

Application and Selection Process

The application process is highly competitive, typically requiring transcripts, letters of recommendation from professors, and a personal statement detailing research interests. Selection committees, often comprising faculty from departments like chemistry or electrical engineering, look for academic promise, motivation, and alignment with available projects. Deadlines usually fall in January or February for the following summer. Successful applicants are frequently matched with mentors working on topics like climate change modeling at the National Center for Atmospheric Research or cancer immunotherapy at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

History and Funding

The program was formally established by the National Science Foundation in 1987, following recommendations from reports like *"Undergraduate Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education"* from the National Science Board. Its creation was influenced by earlier initiatives like the NSF's Undergraduate Research Participation programs of the 1960s. Primary funding comes from NSF directorates such as Biological Sciences and Mathematical and Physical Sciences, though other agencies like the Department of Energy and private foundations like the Howard Hughes Medical Institute also support similar undergraduate research models. The program's growth reflects a sustained national commitment to science education, echoing priorities set during the Space Race and continued by initiatives like the America COMPETES Act.

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