Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Work with WSU faculty, and with students from universities around the country
On the WSU Pullman campus, several summer-only Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) programs (sponsored by the National Science Foundation) and additional REU-related projects engage dozens of students in mentored research. Students from WSU as well as several other universities participate at WSU. The newest programs are in chemistry and atmospheric research, both launched for summer 2009. Physics also had an REU program in summer 2009.
REU projects involve students in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel.
Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. REU programs are available in the U.S. and overseas.
Participants share their summer's work at the annual Summer Undergraduate Research Poster Session in early August. More information about the event and abstract booklets from past year are available online.
REU-Like Experiences at WSU: Summers only
An REU-like experience for students interested in a research career in the pharmaceutical or biomedical sciences is the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at WSU in pharmacology/toxicology. This program gives preference to juniors and seniors.
A $2.3 million National Science Foundation five-year grant (2006-2011) supports an Interdisciplinary Plant Genomics. Several WSU undergraduates have the opportunity to participate year round as researchers; in the summer a few students from California State University colleges join the project with Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) funding from NSF. Small groups have been able to conduct research at Kyushu University in Japan.
Interested in traveling to a different university to conduct summer research?
Check out REU programs at other universities. And let us know if you accept a research position away from WSU!
Quick Facts
Nearly 200 students from 40 universities—including WSU—have participated in REUs in Pullman.
Since 1999, there have been more than 40 peer reviewed publications and national presentations by WSU REU undergraduate participants.
