Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (“REUs”) are paid summer internships where students can work with faculty on research projects. These programs are funded by the National Science Foundation.

In an REU, you will

  • Be part of a small group of 8-10 student researchers
  • Work under the mentorship of a science faculty member
  • Receive training in research methods and professional development
  • Receive a stipend, room and board, and social activities

REUs are held all over the US, so there is one for you somewhere!  

Hear from participants in SMU's Data Science for Social Good REU (2023):

REUs at SMU

SMU currently offers the following REU programs. Participants are also invited to participate in the Summer Research Intensive workshops and attend the Summer Research Symposium

NSF REU Site: Chemical Synthesis and Structures for a Better World
Award #2155170

June 5 – July 28

Faculty mentors: Anindita Das, Alex Lippert, Tomce Runcevski

Summer REU projects are available in the area of atomically precise nanoclusters, molecular materials, chemiluminescence imaging, 3D photopatterning, and other areas. Students can learn skills ranging from organic & inorganic synthesis, materials & solid-state chemistry, structural characterization, catalysis, optical spectroscopy, mammalian cell culture, microscopy/optics, and nanofabrication. More information can be found in the research group websites: Das Lab; Lippert Lab; Runcevski Lab.

  • $4000 stipend
  • On-campus room and board

Eligibility

  • Have not completed your undergraduate degree before January 2023
  • We encourage applications from historically marginalized groups and anyone excited about science

Applications close April 15
Feel free to reach out to faculty or apply online!

Apply

 

NSF REU Site: Using Data Science Tools to Improve Neighborhoods. 

Award #2150505

"Data Science for Social Good"

June – July, 2023

Learn how to use data science tools for improving the lives of people.  You will join a team of researchers using data to find solutions to pressing economic and environmental problems affecting neighborhoods in the city of Dallas, Texas.  

  • $4800 stipend
  • On-campus room and board included

Eligibility:

  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Completed Sophomore of Junior Year of college with strong academic record
  • Major in math, statistics, computer science or related field and an interest in social science OR major in social science field and an interest in data science

Applications will be reviewed beginning February 1, 2024

Read more about the experience

Apply to the REU

NSF REU/RTG Site: Modeling and Computations for Complex Systems. 
Award #1840260

There are two options for this REU:

Mathematics REU 1: Modeling transport processes in micro- and nanoscale systems

June 18– June 30, 2023

Faculty Mentors: Vladimir Ajaev and Scott Norris

Research projects involve modeling and simulation of complex processes of transport of heat, mass, and electrical charge in configurations with micro- and nanoscale features such as structured surfaces, nanopores, and microfluidic channels. Some of the projects will be in collaboration with Lyle School of Engineering.

  • $1200 stipend
  • Up to $600 travel reimbursement
  • On-campus room and board included
  • You may apply to attend both Mathematics REU 1 and REU 2

Eligibility:

  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Have not have completed your undergraduate degree before January 2023.
  • We encourage applications from women and other groups traditionally underrepresented in mathematics.

Applications close March 27

Apply

Mathematics REU 2: Complex Systems 

July 5- July 15, 2023

Faculty Mentors: Alejandro Aceves and Brian Choi

Research projects will center on modeling complex systems in the broadest sense. We will identify projects in diverse areas of applications in science and engineering.

  • $1200 stipend
  • Up to $600 travel reimbursement
  • On-campus room and board included
  • You may apply to attend both Mathematics REU 1 and REU 2

Eligibility:

  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Have not have completed your undergraduate degree before January 2023.
  • We encourage applications from women and other groups traditionally underrepresented in mathematics.

Applications close March 27

Apply

 

Recommended REUs elsewhere

For a full list of REU programs, see the National Science Foundation website. Here are a few we recommend:

Boston University: Biology and the control of gene expression for biological outcome

Brown University: Biology of animal movement and performance

Wake Forest School of Medicine: Biomedical Engineering and Informatics



 

University of Rochester: Chemistry Research for Medicine and Energy

University of Southern California: Snapshots of Chemistry: Visualization at the Molecular Level

 

Brown University: Artificial Intelligence for Computational Creativity

Carnegie Mellon University: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Software Engineering (REUSE) Program

Texas A&M: Applied Computational Robotics

 

Boise State University: Blockchain Technology for a Secure Data and Communication Future

Old Dominion University: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Disinformation Detection and Analytics

Spelman College: Increasing Statistical Preparation in Research Education for Underrepresented Undergraduates

 

Michigan State University: Sociomobility 

Washington State University: Stakeholder Informed Modeling of Innovations in the Food, Energy, Water nexus




Brandeis University: Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Texas A&M University: Energy and Combustion

Tufts University: Visiting and Early Research Scholars' Experiences in Mathematics

UT Tyler: Algebra, Graphs, and Number Theory

University of Virginia: Number Theory, Representation Theory, and Topology

 

University of Arkansas-Little Rock: The Scope and Consequences of Hate Crime Victimization in the South

University of Nebraska: Digital Legal Research Lab

Vanderbilt University: Accountability, Behavior, and Conflict in Democratic Politics




 
New York University: Center for Neural Science

Rice University: Translating Research in the Psychological Sciences to the Real World

University of Michigan: Cognition and Early Development