Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

A 10-week NSF-sponsored summer Research Experience for Undergraduates hosted by the Department of Physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Undergraduates work on research projects under senior physics faculty across multiple subfields, including experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches. The program runs on campus and includes mentoring, social activities, and a final project presentation. It is intended to develop research skills and expose students to a range of physics subfields.

Stipend ($7,000), on-campus housing, travel coverage, mentoring, social activities, field trip to Fermi National Labs, final project presentation experience.

Students must be currently enrolled (summer 2026) in an undergraduate program at a two-year or four-year institution (recently graduated seniors are not eligible). NSF funding requires U.S. citizens or permanent residents; international students may apply and may be funded by the Physics Department. Applications are not accepted from currently enrolled University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students.

Apply online via the program application portal; submission requires at least one letter of reference (two recommended), a 1-page personal statement, and an official or unofficial transcript.