If you're an undergraduate in a STEM discipline interested in a PAID research opportunity for next summer, apply to Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) or similar programs! @AcademicChatter

Most applications are due in January/February 2021. A thread on applying: (1/20)

WHAT ARE REUs:

These are summer research opportunities sponsored by the @NSF that are hosted across various U.S. institutions, with some REU sites abroad.

To start, the NSF has a comprehensive list of REU programs at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp broken down by discipline (2/20)

There are also paid Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship/Program/Experience (SURF/SURP/SURE) opportunities that are specific to select institutions. Some are NSF-funded, some through other agencies.

These programs typically operate and compensate similarly to REUs (3/20)

There are also Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP), which are similar to REUs and SURF/SURP/SURE. Just different names!

A potentially outdated list of SURF and SURP opportunities:

SURF: https://www.aspet.org/aspet/education-careers/aspet-programs/summer-undergraduate-research-fellow-surf-awards/surf-institutional-programs-funded-for-summer

SURP: https://www.aamc.org/professional-development/affinity-groups/great/summer-undergrad-research-programs

(4/20)

Between REUs and SURF/SURP/SURE/SROP... there are still plenty of other summer research opportunities out there!

Also consider national laboratories/federal agencies, including but not limited to:

@NIH: BESIP, Summer Internship Program (SIP)

@NIST: SURF

@ENERGY: SULI

(5/20)

If you have a particular institution, agency, or location in mind, a quick Google Search (e.g., "biomedical engineering summer 2021 REUs/[Insert College]") will help you determine whether any opportunities are available. The resources and links are good starting points!

(6/20)

WHY APPLY:

- PAID summer research

- Valuable experience in new research area(s) that may not be available at your home institution

- Professional development (e.g., seminars, scientific writing and communication, workshops on applying to graduate school)

(7/20)

WHY APPLY, CONT.:

- Help inform whether you're interested in attending graduate school

- Expand your academic network through a cohort of like-minded peers and scientists from other institutions

- Travel to new places, explore potential programs for graduate studies

(8/20)

OTHER BENEFITS:

- Summer stipend, usually at least $3000. Some programs cover travel, lodging, and/or food

- Programs usually end with poster and/or oral presentations

- Potential to submit a conference abstract and/or co-author a publication from your summer work

(9/20)

WHO CAN APPLY:

*Eligibility may vary

- Undergraduates enrolled at 2-/4-year colleges, usually priority for sophomores and juniors. Some programs will consider freshmen, but rarely graduating seniors

- Some programs have U.S. citizenship requirements, but not all do!

(10/20)

WHO CAN APPLY, CONT.:

*Eligibility may vary

- Some programs have a minimum GPA requirement. When in doubt, email the program to check. GPA is not everything; don't let it discourage you from applying!

- Some programs accept students from their own institution

(11/20)

For most programs, applications are often encouraged from:

- Students from minoritized and marginalized groups (e.g., minoritized racial/ethnic group, first-generation, disabled, women)

- Students with limited or no research opportunities at their home institution

(12/20)

HOW TO APPLY:

*Requirements may vary

- 1-2 essays/short responses about your research and career interests

- 2-3 reference letters from instructors or research supervisors

- College transcript

- CV/resume

- Cover letter or project preferences, if available

(13/20)

HOW TO APPLY, CONT.:

Some programs accept on a rolling basis, i.e., they start admitting students as they receive qualified applications.

Most programs are due in January/February 2021. The winter break is usually a great time to start working on application materials!

(14/20)

APPLICATION ADVICE:

- Curate a list of potential programs early on. These programs are competitive! Apply to as many as you can feasibly do and are interested in. I applied to 8-10 programs each year as an undergraduate

- Give your recommenders at least 4 weeks notice

(15/20)

APPLICATION ADVICE, CONT.:

- If you're currently in a lab, ask your PI and/or mentor(s) to review your application materials

- If you're not in a research lab, reach out to instructors/advisors/Twitter for help editing (my DM's are open)

(16/20)

APPLICATION ADVICE CONT.:

- If you are on the quarter or a non-semester system, some program dates will not align with your schedule. Ask the program if they can accommodate; if not, don't apply. This advice extends to any other accommodations you need to succeed!

(17/20)

AFTER APPLYING:

- Be proud of yourself for submitting! It is a huge learning process in itself to put together these applications. You'll see this when you prepare future applications

- Programs typically notify you of their decision by March/April. Hope for the best!

(18/20)

If you are accepted to a summer research program, make the most of it!

Some of my fondest memories from college are from REUs. These programs were instrumental in my decision to pursue a PhD. One of my REU mentors attended my first conference talk as a PhD student

(19/20)

This is thread is by no means an exhaustive resource. If you are interested in applying to summer research programs, also make sure to check out:

https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/663818A7-FED7-3DCD-E9207832AB85C378/application_tips.pdf

https://smrc.colorado.edu/outreach/downloads/REUApplicationTips.pdf

https://itatidoesthesci.wordpress.com/2018/11/16/reu-a-do-and-do-not-list/ (courtesy of @itatiVCS)

https://www.cpp.edu/our-cpp/img/getting-started/reu-basics-handout.pdf

(20/20)