Requirements and Benefits

REU applicants are required:

to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
to have completed 1-3 years of college, but not yet received a Bachelor’s degree
ideally to have completed some coursework in fields related to the program theme
to have current plans for a career in a STEM field (and not clinical medicine)
to spend the 10 weeks of the program engaged full-time in mentored research and program activities (no classes or other employment)

Advantages for students to participate in a summer REU program include:

NSF-REUs are nationally prestigious programs that can provide an advantage for students seeking admission to graduate school.
The program provides a substantial student stipend including a food allowance (total $6400)
It provides a housing allowance (or free housing at Grice Marine Lab, if available this summer)
It provides a minimum $1000 supplies budget to support the research
It includes training in professional skills (proposal writing, poster preparation, manuscript writing, and presentation delivery) as well as training and opportunities for science communication
The REU is an intensive cohort experience through which students learn about different areas of research, gain feedback from peers, and participate together in a research colloquium
REU interns have access to post-program funds for conference attendance to present their work

Participation in the REU also entails greater responsibilities for the intern: a full-time commitment to the program, typically one or two seminars/workshops/field trips per week, some weekend activities, and the production of professional products (proposal poster, manuscript, and colloquium presentation), and science communication products (e.g., blog, science video, participation in a national podcast). The program is intended for highly motivated students focused on going to graduate school, although it is open to students at any stage.

Click here to see the Program-Mentor-Intern contract for 2021