Research Experiences for Undergraduates
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports undergraduates in active research across various NSF-funded areas, in the form of sites or supplements for US citizens or residents, with projects offering interdisciplinary opportunities and an international dimension.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: September 27, 2023 | August 21, 2024 | August 18, 2027 (Full proposal deadlines; third Wednesday in August annually thereafter)
Funding Amounts: Estimated total program funding: $84,800,000 | Typical REU Site: $100,000–$155,000/year for 3 years, up to $500,000 total
Summary: Supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any NSF-funded research area through REU Sites and Supplements.
Description
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), funds projects that engage undergraduate students in meaningful research activities in any field supported by NSF. There are two primary mechanisms:
- REU Sites: Independent proposals to establish research programs that host cohorts of undergraduates (typically 8–10 students per year) for summer or academic-year research experiences. Sites may be disciplinary or interdisciplinary.
- REU Supplements: Add-on funding to existing or new NSF-funded research projects to support one or more undergraduates.
REU projects are intended to provide high-quality research experiences, foster student-faculty mentoring relationships, and broaden participation in STEM, especially for students from diverse backgrounds or institutions with limited research opportunities. International REU projects and those including K-12 teacher research experiences are also encouraged.
