Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

At the University of Delaware, CHARM’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates provides full-time, 10-week summer research opportunities in innovative materials science and engineering. Participants in our highly collaborative and interdisciplinary program, which focuses on nature-inspired, computationally designed materials and tomorrow’s terahertz technologies, will be fully immersed in the research laboratories of CHARM faculty from the Departments of Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and Physics & Astronomy.

▸ broaden their understanding of how materials research tackles tough design challenges impacting our everyday lives;
▸ gain skills in computational and/or experimental materials research in a collaborative ecosystem; and,
▸ cultivate a community of mentorship and professional development opportunities, including what it takes to move an idea from the lab to market and how to position yourself for grad school success.

For their work with us during the summer, CHARM REU students receive:

▸ A $6,000 stipend
▸ On-campus housing
▸ Professional development workshops around STEM research and careers
▸ Trips to local industry sites and national labs
▸ A new network of resources to help you on your path

Eligibility

Ideal applicants should:

➜ Be a current sophomore or junior in a STEM program (graduating in 2026 or later)**
➜ Have a cumulative GPA > 3.00
➜ Be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident of the US

**Freshman applicants are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a special basis

Preference will be given to those candidates who have demonstrated an interest in soft and hard materials through their curriculum choices or extracurricular activities

Required Materials

In PDF format, you will need the following materials when filling out our online application:

① An updated resume or CV
② A copy of your current transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
③ One letter of recommendation (preferably from a research or teaching faculty member)
④ A personal essay (500 word, 1 page maximum) discussing the following prompts:
    ➜ What research areas are you focused on right now, and how could they apply to the field of materials science?
    ➜ How will spending your summer with CHARM’s REU program help you in your research/academic/career goals?

How to Apply

Our Center uses the NSF’s Education & Training Application (ETAP) portal for our summer REU applications. Our REU application opens on December 1ˢᵗ, 2024. You can register for the portal and view the CHARM REU ETAP page any time before our application opens.

All application materials for our priority deadline must be submitted by 11:59 pm on February 1ˢᵗ, 2025.
Applications are still accepted after this deadline, however, applications submitted before the deadline are prioritized.

After Admission

Notifications of acceptance will begin in March and continue until all slots are filled. Those not accepted into the program will be notified as soon as possible, by April 15ᵗʰ at the latest.

For those accepted to a CHARM REU cohort, notifications of lab project placement will be sent closer to the start of the program.

COVID-19: What you need to know

We will be following campus and State of Delaware recommendations to prioritize the health and safety of our participants and local community. Applicants must be prepared to comply with University of Delaware COVID-19 requirements for campus visitors. Thank you for prioritizing public safety alongside us.