UT Austin Astronomy NSF REU Program

A 10-week National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Texas at Austin Department of Astronomy running May 30, 2026 to August 8, 2026. The program places undergraduate students in faculty-mentored research projects across frontier areas of astronomy and provides professional development, mentoring, and computing resources. Participants take part in an observational astronomy module and may join a funded trip to McDonald Observatory subject to safety and scheduling. The program offers post-REU mentorship and support to attend a future professional meeting to present results.

Faculty-mentored research, multi-dimensional mentoring, professional development workshops, access to Texas Advanced Computing Center, on-campus housing, travel to UT Austin and McDonald Observatory (if allowed), and an $800/week allowance for ten weeks; post-REU mentorship and funding to attend a future professional meeting.

As per NSF rules, eligible applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident. Applicants must already be enrolled as an undergraduate student outside UT Austin at the time of applying and must have a graduation date of April 2027 or later.

Apply via the Interfolio application form; request two confidential letters of recommendation (at least one from a professor, advisor, or research supervisor) within the application. Follow the Interfolio form instructions and submit all materials by the deadline.