The 2024 joint APPLICATION for summer Research Experience for Undergraduates programs administered by BU Photonics Center includes four REU programs offered at Boston University with positions in engineering, materials science, and photonics research topics. Applicants may opt to be considered for any or all of our REU programs.

Participants must be enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree program. Current seniors graduating in May 2024 are not eligible to apply for summer 2024.

We actively recruit and mentor participants from marginalized backgrounds and historically excluded groups including women, students who are Black, Hispanic or Latino/a/e, Native American, persons with disabilities, first generation college students, LGBTQ students, and military veterans. Prior research experience is not required or expected, and  preference will be given to highly motivated students who have not had access to comparable research opportunities through their home institutions. 

Participants must be at least 18 years of age and currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM program at a 2- or 4-year college or university other than BU. Requirements specific to each REU program are listed below.

National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site in Integrated Nanomanufacturing (NSF REU INM)

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior at a four-year college, or a full-time community college student.
• Previous research experience is not required.

National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program through Engineering Research Center CELL-MET (NSF REU CELL-MET)

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Undergraduate students currently enrolled at CELL-MET institutions (Boston University, Florida International University, and University of Michigan) are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants to the CELL-MET REU program must be willing to participate at any of the three CELL-MET institutions.
• Must be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior at a four-year college, or a full-time community college student.
• Previous research experience is not required.

Photonics Undergraduate Research Summer Experience (PURSuE)

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students who attend a U.S. university with a student visa are eligible to apply.
• Must be currently engaged in photonics-related research as an undergraduate student at a four year institution.
• Must be a current junior interested in optics and photonics and planning to apply for graduate study at Boston University.

Materials Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (MSE REU)

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students who attend a U.S. university with a student visa are eligible to apply.
• Must be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior at a four-year college, or a full-time community college student
• Previous research experience is not required

Application Documents

• Please complete your REU APPLICATION between December 15 and March 15. You will be asked to upload a copy of your unofficial academic transcript (jpeg, PDF, or png format).
  
• Please have one letter of recommendation emailed to phoreu@bu.edu by March 15. Please ask your recommender to include your last name in the filename.
• All correspondence must be in English.

More Information

Check out research projects and hear from past participants about their summer experiences.