Research Experiences for Undergraduates

The National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency established in 1950, administers the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through hands-on student engagement in research. This program is designed to provide undergraduates with opportunities to participate in active research projects across all scientific disciplines supported by the Foundation, including both disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields. The REU initiative is delivered through two mechanisms: REU Sites, which support cohorts of students under a unified research theme, and REU Supplements, which add undergraduate research components to existing NSF-funded projects. Both models aim to provide structured mentorship, exposure to advanced facilities, and professional development while fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM. The program emphasizes the integration of research and education as a means to attract and retain students in science and engineering pathways. REU Sites typically operate during the summer or academic year, hosting eight to ten students per cycle for closely mentored projects. Sites may be based in single disciplines or span multiple fields, provided they maintain a coherent intellectual focus. The NSF requires that a significant fraction of students come from outside the host institution and that at least half be drawn from academic environments with limited STEM research opportunities, such as community colleges. Projects may be domestic or international, and international projects must include partnerships with foreign collaborators, formal letters of collaboration, and biographical sketches of foreign partners to demonstrate mutual commitments and benefits. Funding under this program supports student stipends, housing, meals, travel, and other costs directly tied to research participation. For summer programs, student stipends are set at approximately $700 per week, and total project costs are expected to remain below $1,550 per student per week, though exceptions may be allowed for projects with special circumstances such as international or field research. The average award size for an REU Site ranges from $100,000 to $155,000 annually, generally for a three-year duration. Supplements are more modest, typically funding one or two students, though larger supplements may be approved for large-scale projects or those targeting underrepresented groups. Indirect costs may not be charged on participant support, and voluntary cost-sharing is prohibited. Eligibility to apply for REU Sites and Supplements is limited to institutions and organizations permitted under NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Individuals cannot apply independently. Principal Investigators must be able to oversee all aspects of program management, although a co-PI may be designated. Eligible student participants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents enrolled in undergraduate or associate degree programs. Students who have recently graduated from high school and been admitted to an undergraduate institution may also participate. Recruitment must comply with all nondiscrimination statutes, and no eligibility criteria may be based on race, gender, disability status, or similar demographic factors. Teachers of K-12 STEM subjects may also be included in some REU programs through coordinated Research Experiences for Teachers components. Applications for REU Site funding must be submitted electronically via Research.gov or Grants.gov in compliance with NSF’s submission guidelines. Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are not required. The next full proposal deadline is August 21, 2024, with subsequent deadlines recurring annually on the third Wednesday of August. Proposals must include detailed project summaries, plans for student recruitment and selection, descriptions of mentoring and research activities, professional development programming, and robust evaluation frameworks for assessing project outcomes. Renewal proposals must also provide evidence of past performance and program effectiveness. All applications are reviewed under the National Science Board’s approved merit review criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts. Reviewers specifically assess the appropriateness of the research experiences for undergraduates, the quality of mentorship, the adequacy of recruitment strategies for underrepresented groups, and the sustainability of student engagement beyond the immediate project period. Award notifications are made by NSF’s Division of Grants and Agreements, and funded PIs are required to comply with standard NSF award conditions, including annual and final reporting requirements. Investigators may be required to use NSF’s Education & Training Application system to manage student applications and collect demographic data. Awardees must also create and maintain a website to facilitate student recruitment. Program administration is supported by REU contacts within NSF directorates overseeing specific disciplinary areas, and applicants are encouraged to consult these contacts for guidance. General inquiries about REU Sites should be directed to the NSF REU Site Contacts webpage, while technical submission support is available from the Research.gov and Grants.gov help desks. The program anticipates distributing approximately 1,300 to 1,350 awards annually, including both Sites and Supplements, with an estimated total program funding of $84.8 million for FY 2024. This substantial investment reflects NSF’s commitment to cultivating a diverse and highly skilled STEM workforce capable of advancing U.S. scientific and economic competitiveness.