Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you run an NSF-funded research group and want to expand with funded undergraduate researchers, REU Sites and Supplements provide the mechanism and budget.
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What this is
This program funds research experiences for U.S. undergraduate students across all NSF-supported scientific disciplines. Applicants (faculty/researchers) propose either new REU Sites—self-contained multi-student research programs with coherent themes—or REU Supplements attached to existing or new NSF grants. Students themselves do not apply to NSF; instead, site investigators manage their own student recruitment and selection. Awards range from $5K to $500K over multi-year periods.
Who can apply
Applicants must be NSF-grantees, faculty, or researchers affiliated with eligible institutions (primarily universities and research organizations). Undergraduate participants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. This program is designed for established research programs seeking to embed student researchers, not for solo founders or startups.
Eligible applicant types
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Full description — from the agency
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for supporting student research: REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department or may offer interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. 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. REU projects with an international dimension are welcome. Undergraduate student participants in either REU Sites or REU Supplements must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals,or U.S. permanent residents. Students do not apply to NSF to participate in REU activities, and NSF does not select students for the opportunities. Investigators who receive REU awards establish their own process for receiving and reviewing applications and selecting students, and students follow the instructions provided by each REU Site or REU Supplement to apply. (In some cases, investigators pre-select students for REU Supplements.) To identify appropriate REU Sites, students should consult the directory of active REU Sites on the Web at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm.
Topics: undergraduate research programs · reu sites · nsf research funding · student research experiences · reu supplements
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.