Tips for REU applications
- If you are a current NSF awardee, most of you are eligible to apply for REU supplement. Please contact your program director regarding the eligibility of your award for supplement funding.
- “REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs…...” “REU Supplements may be included as a component of proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or cooperative agreements or may be requested for ongoing NSF-funded research projects.”
- You should have a conversation with your program director to find out (1) if your award is eligible for an REU supplement; (2) when you should submit your request; and (3) how much you should request if you plan to support 1-2 undergraduate students.
- What should be included in the supplement proposal?
“……….the description of the REU activity should discuss the following: (1) the nature of each prospective student's involvement in the research project; (2) the experience of the PI (or other prospective research mentors) in involving undergraduates in research, including any previous REU Supplement support and the outcomes from that support; (3) the nature of the mentoring that the student(s) will receive; and (4) the process and criteria for selecting the student(s). If a student has been pre-selected (as might be true in the case of a supplement for an ongoing award), then the grounds for selection and a brief Biographical Sketch of the student should be included. (PIs are reminded that the student[s] must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the United States.)”
- Budget:
- Typically, you can request $3,000-8,000 to support 1-2 undergraduate students conducting research related to your award. For center grants and large grants, you may request more students. Please talk to your program director to find out how many students you can support and how much you should request. The undergraduate students can conduct the proposed research during the summer, the semester or both.
- “Student stipends for summer projects: approximately $600 per student per week. Other student costs include housing, meals, travel, and laboratory use fees and usually vary depending on location. Amounts for academic-year projects should be comparable on a pro rata basis.”
- “Total costs for a summer — including all direct costs and indirect costs — are generally expected not to exceed $1,350 per student per week. However, projects that involve international activities, field work in remote locations, or other exceptional circumstances may exceed this limit.”
- No cost share is required.
- No F&A is allowed
- Special Opportunities (see the above link for details)
- Partnership with the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC)
- Partnership with the Department of Defense
More details at https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22601/nsf22601.htm