OpenFederal grant23-601

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

U.S. National Science FoundationCloses Aug 18, 2027(309 days left)$5,000 – $500,000

Does this fit your business?

This NSF program funds U.S. academic institutions and affiliated research organizations to run undergraduate research programs (REU Sites) or add student research to existing NSF grants (REU Supplements). Small businesses and for-profits cannot apply at all, and even the best industry matches score under 50 out of 100. Students apply directly to sites, not to NSF.

Best for
U.S. academic institutions, Higher education institutions running undergraduate research programs, Nonprofit research organizations affiliated with academic institutions, Holders of existing NSF research grants seeking student-research supplements
Not for
For-profit businesses, including small businesses, Undergraduate students seeking research funding directly, Organizations outside the research areas NSF funds
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Environment & ConservationLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
42
Possible Match
Education & TrainingCurrently accepting applications
38
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
35
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
34
Worth Exploring
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, Training, Operating support
Who can apply
Colleges and universities, Nonprofits
Award range
$5,000 – $500,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is August 18, 2027.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $5,000 to $500,000. Total program funding is $84,800,000, with about 1,350 awards expected.
Who can apply for this grant?
Applicants are U.S. academic institutions and affiliated research organizations; the listed applicant types are higher education institutions and nonprofits. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, may not apply. Students do not apply to NSF; they apply directly to individual REU Sites or Supplements.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. A for-profit business may not apply, and a small business may not apply.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits are among the eligible applicant types, though the program is aimed at U.S. academic institutions and affiliated research organizations running undergraduate research.

Summary

NSF funds organizations to engage undergraduate students (U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents) in meaningful research through REU Sites (standalone projects) and REU Supplements (add-ons to existing NSF grants). Applicants are U.S. academic institutions and affiliated research organizations; students apply directly to sites, not to NSF.

About this grant

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for supporting student research:

- REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department or may offer interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme.

- REU Supplements may be included as a component of proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or cooperative agreements or may be requested for ongoing NSF-funded research projects.

REU projects with an international dimension are welcome.

Undergraduate student participants in either REU Sites or REU Supplements must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents.

Students do not apply to NSF to participate in REU activities, and NSF does not select students for the opportunities. Investigators who receive REU awards establish their own process for receiving and reviewing applications and selecting students, and students follow the instructions provided by each REU Site or REU Supplement to apply. (In some cases, investigators pre-select students for REU Supplements.) To identify appropriate REU Sites, students should consult the directory of active REU Sites on the Web at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm .

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Who May Serve as PI:

For REU Site proposals, a single individual may be designated as the Principal Investigator. This individual will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the award. However, one additional person may be designated as Co-Principal Investigator if developing and operating the REU Site would involve such shared responsibility. After a proposal is awarded, some NSF units may allow the addition of more Co-PIs if an exceptional case can be made for why the management of the REU Site must be distributed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Education
  • Science
  • Workforce

Program contact

U.S. National Science Foundationgrantsgovsupport@nsf.gov703-292-4203

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