Frequently Asked REU Questions

Check here for answers about the basics of our program!
Does your REU program offer a research stipend for participants?

Yes! All participants in our program receive a $6,000 stipend for their work in our research labs. The stipend is paid in two lump sums of $3,000 at the start of the program and upon completion of the program.

*Please note: summer undergraduate researchers at UD are considered non-employees. This means that stipend payments are pre-tax. Please plan accordingly for your personal tax purposes.

Do you offer travel reimbursements?

Yes! We offer up to $500 per participant for their travel needs; the reimbursement amount is for both arrival and departure, not $500 for each trip.

For public travel, we are only able to reimburse travel via plane, train, or bus.

If planning to drive a personal vehicle, we only reimburse for mileage and not for gas. We cannot reimburse for rideshare trips (i.e., Uber, Lyft, etc.).

Per University procedure, reimbursements cannot be processed until travel has been completed, meaning that roundtrip plane/train/bus tickets will only be reimbursed at the end of the program after participants return home

Do you offer on-campus housing for the summer?

Yes! We in addition to a stipend, we reserve and pay for participants’ on-campus housing for external, non-UD students only.

Participants typically stay at UD’s University Courtyard Apartments. Room assignments are provided before the start of the program.

If you are a UD student accepted into our program and in need of housing for the summer, please reach out to jmadanat@udel.edu and we will work things out on a case-by-case basis.

Is there parking on campus if I bring my car?

Yes, there is parking at the University Courtyard Apartments but it is permit parking only. We are not able to cover parking costs for participants.

To order a permit, create a guest account on the UD parking portal using UD’s parking website. In our experience, email Parking Services directly if you have questions as they have been very helpful.

Visit the parking website here.

Are pets allowed where we will be staying?

UD housing does not allow any pets other than fish, so is not pet friendly housing available through CHARM. If your pet is a registered Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal, participants must work with UD’s Office of Disability Support Services prior to moving into the residence.

See more here:

When is move in/out from housing accommodations?

Typically, participants are able to move in on the Sunday before the REU program starts with check-in likely being between 12:00 – 5:00 pm based on previous years. Move out is always the last day of the program.

For the 2025 REU program, move-in will be on Sunday, June 7th and move-out will be on Friday, August 15th.

Are any linens provided by housing?

Unfortunately, the university has stopped providing linen packages to the UCA apartments. Linens, pillows, and blankets won’t be supplied by CHARM or UD.

Does the program provide a meal plan?

We do not provide meal plans, however, participants can purchase an optional meal plan for the dining locations that are open during the summer. We should receive more information on meal plans around mid-May.

Is there grocery shopping or other amenities nearby?

There’s an ACME grocery store down W. Delaware Avenue behind the apartments as well as a few miscellaneous markets across E. Main Street in the Newark Shopping Center. In the shopping center and along Main Street is a variety of restaurants.

The Christiana Mall is a 15 minute drive, 30 minute bus ride from the apartments. The bus to take is the 033.

In the Newark Shopping Center is a movie theater.

The UD bookstore is also nearby on E. Main Street.

Will non-UD REU students be getting a UD ID card?

Yes, non-UD participants will be receiving a UDID card during the first week of the program. The card will allow access to lab buildings, the library, the bus shuttle, and other areas of campus. The card received is classified as a “Department” card and will only be active during the span of the program.

Appointments with UD’s ID card office cannot be made more than 7 days out, so we will email accepted students with ID appointment information the week prior to the start of the program.

Does the program cover gym access?

We aren’t able to cover gym memberships for students this summer. Participants will be able to pay for a membership for the summer.

Please visit this site for more information about fees and location.

Is there a dress code?

What students typicall wear at their home institution for lab work will be appropriate. (lab attire: pants, close-toed shoes, hair tied back – if applicable, etc.). When in doubt, participants can always ask their graduate or postdoc mentor for guidance.

For events where participants are presenting your research, we suggest business casual clothing (a nice top with jeans with no rips/holes, for instance).

Can participants change their project preferences during the summer?

No. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the matching process, participants will not be able to change their project preferences.

However, we encourage participants to speak with their faculty and grad mentors to share their interests when they arrive. We are confident that participants who come willing to learn in a collaborative environment will have a positive summer experience.

Are all labs located together?

CHARM is a highly interdisciplinary center, spanning several departments across campus. Participants will be working in labs across different buildings on central campus (ISE, SHARP, DuPont, Brown) and south campus (APBio/BPI). Most REU workshops and events will be held in the Harker ISE or Colburn Lab buildings.

The campus is bike-friendly and offers a bus shuttle service which participants are able to use with their UDID cards.

Are non-research/lab activities mandatory throughout the summer?

The research project is an important element of the REU program, however, participants are expected to attend certain activities such as the weekly REU professional development workshops and site visits. Other events are optional, such as social events, however we do encourage you to participate in the spirit of community building. These differences are noted in your program activities calendar, which you will have access to on your arrival.

We realize there may be instances where you have to miss a session due to a research-related issue, illness, or personal conflict. We ask that you make arrangements with your faculty mentor and the CHARM and CPI program coordinators listed below. We are always willing to figure out a solution as long as participants communicate!

Frequent absences or other indications of negative participation could result in removal from the program and termination of stipend and travel reimbursements.

Is there an absence policy?

We realize there may be instances where participants will have to miss a session due to a research-related issue, illness, or personal conflict. We ask that participants be proactive and make arrangements with their lab mentors and REU program staff. We are always willing to figure out a solution as long as participants communicate!

Frequent absences or other indications of negative participation could result in removal from the program and termination of stipend and travel reimbursements.

What if I encounter challenges this summer?

For questions around REU programming or specific logistical issues, contact a REU staff member:

For lab/research questions, participants should refer to their designated graduate student(s)/postdoc(s) who will serve as primary mentor(s).