REU Program
The University of Notre Dame’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program, which celebrated 35 years in 2021, provides opportunities for undergraduate physics majors to experience hands-on participation in research in many areas of physics. The REU program gives you valuable research experience, to help you decide if physics research is right for you. You will work closely with faculty and graduate students on a variety of current research projects and benefit from a number of activities organized to enrich your experience. These include: weekly seminars, a course on computer programming, a GRE preparation course, ethics workshops, a workshop on applying to graduate schools, field trips to nearby national laboratories, and the REU Symposium where you will present the results of your research. You will also maintain a logbook and write a project report. In addition, a variety of recreational and social activities are organized to make your stay with us “fun”. Basically, this means that if you are a rising junior or senior, you can come to Notre Dame and work on a research project for ten weeks.
Students are granted a stipend, university housing, and assistance with travel.
The program is funded by the U. S. National Science Foundation and is available only to physics majors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students are considered only if clear evidence is provided for financial support from other sources. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Students who are in those groups traditionally underrepresented in sciences (women, members of underrepresented minorities, and those with disabilities) are particularly urged to apply.
2024 Program Details
- 10 week appointment beginning May 28, 2024
- Round-trip travel allowance to the University of Notre Dame
- $6,000 stipend plus free on-campus housing
- Weekly physics lunch seminars and two ethics seminars
- Optional programming course and Physics GRE prep course offered
- Excellent social engagement, including day trips to local attractions and/or Chicago, movie nights, and frequent meals with peers
2024 REU Application Deadline and Instructions
2024 Application Deadline: February 19, 2024
Click here to read the instructions before applying.
The link to the 2024 Program Application is at the bottom of these instructions. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure your application will be received.
The Physics REU site directors will utilize a common deadline of March 3, 2024, for students to accept or decline first-round offers at domestic (non-international) sites. Sites may send offers to students at any time before this, but students will not be required to decide before March 3.
Are you a University of Notre Dame Student?
Click here for instructions and to apply.
ND REU makes a difference in students' lives:
" The additional courses, like those for Computational Physics, the GRE, and Science Writing were very beneficial, in addition to the whole program. I was excited to take them initially but didn't see their benefit until towards their conclusions. I felt more knowledgeable and prepared to tackle aspects of my research and prep for the GRE with the skills I learned.”
--Benjamin, REU2022, Vassar College
"Everyone in the program had a unique project. This meant that even normal social interactions led to much learning from others. The diversity in projects and hearing about them all increased my knowledge of Physics more than any class I ever took.”
--Matthew, REU2022, West Chester Univ
"I am so glad to have participated in this Notre Dame REU and I appreciate you offering it remotely. This was my second REU, and this experience far exceeded my first one. I appreciated the python class, GRE review, and science writing sessions being offered to us as part of the REU experience. I plan to attend graduate school and will definitely apply to Notre Dame."
--Amanda, REU2020, University of Texas-Dallas
"This REU offers many opportunities and a very personalized experience."
--Mason, REU2020, Univ. of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Contact Information
Kristen Amsler, REU Administrative Assistant
Department of Physics, 225 NSH
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
E-mail: kamsler@nd.edu
Phone: (574) 631-2813