National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)


Research Description

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.

Universities and research institutions throughout the country apply to the NSF for a grant to run their own REU programs. While Utah State University has run numerous REUs in the past, students are encouraged to take the opportunity to look for external programs. This is your chance to work with leading experts in your field and in state-of-the-art research facilities that you might not otherwise get the opportunity to! These are also phenomenal networking opportunities, whether you’re interested in graduate schools or plan on going straight into your career after graduation.

While many of the traditional STEM fields are represented, NSF opportunities include numerous other fields such as education, ethics, business, and social sciences. Browse the research areas here, and find a good fit for your summer. [Note that the website lists past programs as well as current ones, so not all listed sites will be available this year.]

Most application deadlines are within February,

Duration of program and funding also vary, but programs run for 6-12 weeks depending on the weekly hour commitment and funding packages include $4,000-6,000 stipends and sometimes include additional housing, meals, and travel support.

Most application deadlines are within February, so get started as soon as possible. Don’t forget to check out REU workshops to help you complete your application!