RET Application

The RET application can be accessed at the link below from January 15 – April 10. The RET application enables educators to apply for summer research opportunities coordinated through the BU Photonics Center, funded by: 

• NSF RET Site in Integrated Nanomanufacturing (10 positions)
• NSF RET Opportunities in Cellular Metamaterials for Cardiac Tissue Engineering (1-2 positions)

Application review begins in February, and teachers will be admitted on a rolling basis through April 12. Applicants will be considered for all projects relevant to their teaching roles, academic backgrounds, and interests. Teachers should use the RET application to communicate lab and research preferences to program staff and faculty.

Prior research experience is not required. Preference is given to highly motivated individuals who seek to deepen their disciplinary knowledge, develop curriculum for their classrooms, and enhance their STEM teaching.

For your application to be complete, we will need to receive one letter of recommendation from your department head, supervisor, or other professional who knows you well and can speak to your academic and pedagogical strengths and motivations. We encourage you to invite your recommender to share specific information on how you would be successful in this research opportunity and in sharing new knowledge with your students. Please ask your recommender to email their Letter of Recommendation to: phoret@bu.edu. 

Applicants who participated in the 2026 RET program and are seeking to return in summer 2027 should please complete our 2027 application. For this group only, a letter of recommendation is not required.

Applicants may upload a resume with your application (this is optional).