Are you an undergraduate interested in STEM and social sciences research? Have you always wanted to conduct research at another university or somewhere like the Smithsonian? Still unsure of what to do for your summer plans? Apply for NSF-REUs! The National Science Foundation - Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REUs) are fully-funded (usually includes housing), full-time summer research internships taking place across the US and sometimes even internationally. The deadlines vary based on the hosting site, but many have extended their deadlines into March this year, allowing you plenty of time to pull together a few competitive applications.
To find out more about what research opportunities are available, you can use the NSF website to filter by U.S. state or research area of interest (e.g. Earth and Environment, Chemistry). Once you identify a few of interest, you apply directly to the REU site, typically using that institution's website. On their websites, you can learn more about the research and work you’ll be doing, funding packages, application requirements, and important dates (e.g. deadline to apply, when research program occurs).
NSF-REUs host thousands of students every summer. A good strategy for students thinking about specific graduate programs is to apply to opportunities at schools where you might want to attend in the future. REUs are great opportunities to enhance your research resume and travel! For help with your REU application, don’t forget to contact our office!