Research Experiences for Undergraduates Undecided (REU²) about Pursuing Science

Two National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR objectives are 1) to develop, implement, and evaluate future programmatic experiments that motivate positive change and progression, and 2) to broaden participation in science and engineering by institutions, organizations and people within EPSCoR jurisdictions.  Consistent with these objectives Idaho NSF EPSCoR announced the initiation of a pilot program in Summer 2006 - Research Experiences for Undergraduates Undecided (REU²) about Pursuing Science. Following a first year of success for seven undergraduates we are ready to recruit students and faculty for 2007.
 

Groups led by two or three research-active faculty members who are working on a common research project are invited to integrate and rotate a sophomore student in their research groups for eight to ten weeks between May 14, 2007 and August 17, 2007.  Idaho EPSCoR will provide up to $4,000 in gross salary for the student, and $500 will be provided to the faculty sponsors to help with research expenses.  This investment of time and resources at an early stage of a students academic life should encourage them to remain research-active in the future.

Interested faculty members are encouraged to submit a request (2-page-max.) for a student that includes:

1. The two or three faculty mentors and their departmental affiliations

2. The number of graduate students and/or postdocs involved in the research team

3. A description of the research project targeted to REU² students

4. The expected student rotation and the students overall contribution to the project

5. The anticipated benefit to a student undecided about majoring in a science field

You may nominate a student with whom you would like to mentor, or you may simply offer to host a student recruited by Idaho EPSCoR.  Eligible students must be University of Idaho students, US citizens and currently in their freshman or sophomore year in school.  Even if you are not able to train a student this summer, please mention this opportunity to students whom you know are undecided or wavering about pursuing a degree in science.  Student application.  Please contact Idaho EPSCoR if you have any questions (epsoutreach@uidaho.edu or 885-4004)

REU² awards will be granted on an ongoing basis as students are matched with appropriate research groups.  Therefore, applications to this program will be accepted until a sufficient number of students and faculty have responded or until April 15, 2007.