Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE)
ASSURE provides undergraduate students with research opportunities in DoD-relevant science and engineering fields to encourage pursuit of advanced degrees.
Funder: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2026 (Full proposal; third Wednesday in August, annually)
Funding Amounts: ~$1.5M distributed among 15–20 new awards annually; typical project duration: 1–5 years (3 years typical)
Summary: Supports undergraduate research in DoD-relevant science and engineering fields to encourage students to pursue advanced degrees.
Key Information: Proposals must be submitted through the NSF REU Sites Program; no separate ASSURE application.
Description
The program provides funding to support undergraduate research experiences in disciplines relevant to the Department of Defense (DoD). Its primary aim is to increase the number of high-quality science and engineering undergraduates who pursue advanced degrees. Projects funded must offer strong student-mentor interaction, access to research facilities, and professional development opportunities. The initiative encourages participation from students who might otherwise lack access to research, especially those from institutions with limited research programs, and seeks to strengthen research infrastructure at predominantly undergraduate institutions. The program is jointly executed by DoD and the National Science Foundation (NSF) via the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Program.
