Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) are opportunities for students to spend a summer pursuing a research project at a hosting institution. These opportunities are funded by the National Science Foundation, and students spend usually 10 weeks working closely with an academic mentor, presenting their findings, and even going on field trips. All 7 of CRC’s member institutions offer REU programs.
Johns Hopkins
JHU Krieger School of Arts & Sciences REU: Biological Basis of Social Behavior
Website, application due Feb 21, 2020
“The theme of this program is using comparative models for understanding animal social behavior. The program includes faculty working on diverse taxa (bats, owls, octopuses, primates and rodents) to answer fundamental questions on behavioral biology. Areas of research include ethology, neurobiology and neuroendocrinology. A unique focus of the program will be an emphasis on the power of using comparative models when tackling scientific questions, from evolutionary to mechanistic. A main goal of this program is for students to gain highly focused insight through research on specific projects while concurrently placing those activities into the larger context of biological evolution.”
Rosetta Commons REU
Website, due Feb 1, 2020
“Interns in this geographically-distributed REU program have the opportunity to participate in research using the Rosetta Commons software. The Rosetta Commons software suite includes algorithms for computational modeling and analysis of protein structures. It has enabled notable scientific advances in computational biology, including de novo protein design, enzyme design, ligand docking, and structure prediction of biological macromolecules and macromolecular complexes.”
JHU Department of Biology REU (BioREU)
Website, due date TBA
From my old article: “Students can also choose an REU with faculty from cell, molecular, and developmental biology, and biophysics. Students will work closely with faculty and graduate student mentors, prepare poster and oral talks, and take a trip to Washington, D.C.”
JHU Institute for Nanobiotechnology REU
Website, due Feb 1, 2020
“INBT offers an experience that engages students in cutting-edge nanobiotechology research. We provide a valuable summer research experience through participation in research labs and high quality student/faculty interaction and mentorships.”
Old Dominion University
An Interdisciplinary Program at Old Dominion University for the Study of Metropolitan Coastal Environments and Communities
Website, due date TBA
“Centered in the heart of Tidewater, Virginia, Old Dominion University’s (ODU) Department of Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences (OEAS) is accepting applications for a unique internship opportunity for undergraduate students interested in current issues of climate change and sea level rise in a coastal urban setting.”
Training Undergraduates in Electrochemical Technologies for Clean Fuels (Biofuels and Hydrogen) Production and Applications
Website, funding and due date TBD
“This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at Old Dominion University (ODU) engages undergraduate students traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields in hands-on research in the fields of electrochemical clean fuel production and applications, including solar fuel production, biofuels upgrading and production, and fuel cell materials and applications.”
Pennsylvania State University
Integration of Biology and Materials
Website, due date TBA
“Students participating in the program will engage in a wide range of chemical engineering research projects that integrate biology and materials science and will participate in weekly group activities. These activities provide an overview of current biomaterials technologies and expose students to the research challenges in each area.”
Department of Meteorology Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Climate Science
Website, application likely due Feb 15, 2020
“Research projects will involve the spectrum of climate science from fundamental physical processes of the atmosphere, oceans, and cryosphere and theoretical climate modeling, to interactions entailing the biosphere, and impacts on various natural and human systems. Each student will have a faculty advisor to guide the research activities. Students will have the option to work with a communication expert on how to effectively communicate the societal relevance of the research.”
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Global Change BiologyREU
Website, likely due Feb 15, 2020, pending funding
“Interns projects span the range of research conducted at SERC, including environmental chemistry, marine and estuarine ecology, molecular ecology, and terrestrial ecology. Projects are also offered in public engagement, with opportunities in environmental education, citizen science, and science writing.”
University System of Maryland
Undergraduate Research Experiences in Estuarine Processes
Website, due date TBA
“Maryland Sea Grant offers fifteen students the opportunity to conduct marine research on the Chesapeake Bay. During the 12-week program, each student works with a mentor on an individual research project. It’s a special opportunity to develop your research skills and interests by working with top science mentors studying America’s largest estuary.”
Marine and Estuarine Science program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
Website, due date TBA
“With the guidance of a faculty mentor, interns will conduct original research projects in one of a wide range of marine science topics. Students will receive instruction in topics such as scientific ethics, library resources for research, experimental design and data analysis, and scientific writing and communication. Students will present their research to their peers and mentors at a symposium at the Sarbanes Coastal Ecology Center on the final day of the internship.”
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Summer Intern Program (SIP)
Website, due date TBA
“Each year the Summer Intern Program – Research Experiences for Undergraduates at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) places 12 undergraduates with faculty mentors for a summer research experience. Internships are available in many areas of marine science, including marine biology and ecology; biological, geological, chemical, and physical oceanography; environmental science; fisheries; and resource management.”
Virginia Tech
Interdisciplinary Water Sciences and Engineering
Website, due date TBA
Students complete independent research and work on written and verbal communications skills, as well as attend field trips and weekly seminars.
Macromolecules Innovation Institute
Website, application open now
“The program is designed to instill in students a life-long motivation to create new materials and discover physical phenomena through the joys of research. Focus will be on science and engineering with added emphasis on building leadership, interdisciplinary teamwork and communications skills, and experiencing the gratification derived from integrating their science into the community.”