The REU program, through both Supplements and Sites, aims to provide appropriate and valuable educational experiences for undergraduate students through research participation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specially designed for the purpose. REU projects feature high-quality interaction of students with faculty and/or other research mentors and access to appropriate facilities and professional development opportunities. Active research experience is considered one of the most effective ways to attract talented undergraduates to and retain them in careers in science and engineering, including careers in teaching and educational research.

REU opportunities are an excellent way to reach broadly into the student talent pool of our nation. NSF is particularly interested in increasing the participation in research of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. REU projects are strongly encouraged to involve students who are members of these groups. Underrepresented minorities are African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders.

Supplement and Site projects may be carried out during the summer months, during the academic year, or both. REU Sites may be proposed for durations of one to five years, with a three-year duration being typical in most NSF directorates. The term of REU Supplements may not exceed that of the underlying research project.

REU Supplements

REU Supplements are supported by the various disciplinary and educational research programs throughout the Foundation, including programs such as Small Business Innovation Research. The request for an REU Supplement may be made within a proposal for a new or renewal NSF grant or cooperative agreement or as a supplement to an existing NSF award. A Supplement typically provides research experience for one or two undergraduate students. However, centers or large research efforts may request support for a number of students commensurate with the size and nature of the project. For guidance concerning REU Supplements, please consult the NSF Program Officer who manages the particular research program for the proposal or award. 

REU Sites

REU Sites are based on independent proposals, submitted at an annual deadline date, to initiate and conduct undergraduate research participation projects for a number of students. Funds for the establishment of REU Sites may be requested from any of NSF's directorates and the Office of Polar Programs. Proposers are encouraged to talk with the NSF REU point-of-contact in their disciplinary area. See http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/contacts.htm for contact information.

REU Sites projects must have a well-defined common focus that enables a cohort experience for students. Projects may be based in a single discipline or academic department or be based on interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a strong intellectual focus. Each proposal should reflect the unique combination of the proposing institution's interests and capabilities and those of any partnering organizations. Cooperative arrangements among institutions, organizations, and research settings will be considered so that a project might increase the quality or availability of undergraduate research experiences. REU Sites are encouraged to involve students in research who might not otherwise have the opportunity, particularly those from institutions where research programs are limited. Thus, a significant fraction of the student participants should come from outside the host institution.

Special Opportunities

Partnership with the Department of Defense

NSF engages in a partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) to expand undergraduate research opportunities in DoD-relevant research areas through the REU Sites program. The DoD activity is called Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE). Any proposal submitted to NSF for the REU Sites program that is recommended for funding through the NSF merit review process will be considered by DoD representatives for possible support through DoD funds. A proposer to the NSF REU Sites program need do nothing additional to be considered for ASSURE. DoD support for REU Sites targets DoD-relevant research in any of the NSF directorates or divisions that handle REU Site proposals. Like NSF, DoD encourages proposals that reach underrepresented minorities and women, as well as students from institutions where access to research opportunities is limited. In FY2005, DoD has a special interest in proposals from predominantly undergraduate four-year institutions.

International Projects

The REU program welcomes projects with an international dimension. The design of such projects is based on the opportunity at hand, but typically involves partnering of an experienced REU project in the U.S. with international collaborators in a selected organization or institution. Successful projects arise from shared commitment to research and education in a focused area. Possible projects should be discussed with a Program Officer in NSF's Office of International Science and Engineering (INT), as well as with the appropriate disciplinary Program Officer for REU. INT will also entertain requests to supplement an REU award in order to add an international dimension, including the participation of K-12 teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The INT Web site http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/ provides information concerning international opportunities and programs. A report entitled Looking Beyond the Borders: A Project Director's Handbook of Best Practices for International Research Experiences for Undergraduates is posted at http://www.nsftokyo.org/REU/index.html.

Research Experiences for Teachers

NSF encourages inclusion in the REU program of K-12 teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Directorates for Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematical and Physical Sciences have formal activities supporting Research Experiences for Teachers (RET), while other directorates respond to requests on a case-by-case basis. Teachers may also be included in an international REU project. Information about RET activities is available on directorate Web sites.

Ethics in Science or Engineering

Proposals for REU Sites are invited to include an optional component addressing ethics in science or engineering. Information about current activities is available through a link on the home page of the NSF Societal Dimensions of Engineering, Science, and Technology program at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/ses/sdest/start.htm. In addition, the Web site http://www.onlineethics.org/ of the NSF-supported Science and Engineering Ethics Center contains many useful resources for developing a pedagogically sound ethics component.  See "Supplementary Documentation" under Section V.A. ("Proposal Preparation Instructions") below for additional instructions on requesting funding for the optional ethics component in a proposal.