NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates
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Eligibility Faculty Mentors Former REUs
Information Webinar
2024-2025 webinar dates coming soon.
Informational Meeting
2025 video will be posted soon.
DISL REU Program Dates
- 2025: 2 June - 8 August
- Application Deadline: Friday, 14 February 2025
- Application Portal Open: ~ mid-October 2024
- Future Dates: To be determined
Program Information
The National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates adds another level of expertise to students interested in research-based careers. The program is funded by the NSF Division of Ocean Sciences and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. DISL began hosting the program in 1997 and continues the program based on funding availability from NSF.
The DISL NSF-REU Program aims to provide under-represented groups with limited research opportunities the chance to enhance their CV with a peer-reviewed publication, participate in a poster symposium at the end of the 10 week program, and the opportunity to attend scientific meetings.
Participating students gain experience in field and lab sampling, team and independent research, necropsy, molecular, genomics, analysis and statistics, and communication. The program provides students the opportunity to carry out an independent research project under the direction of a faculty mentor as part of a productive research laboratory (see our Faculty Mentors).
Any rising sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate with interests in ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, biomedicine, or physical and environmental sciences can apply to the DISL NSF-REU Program.
Stipends of $6,000 will be provided for the 10-week full-time program. Students will be provided on-campus housing and an additional food stipend by DISL. Students from outside the Mobile, Alabama area may also apply for travel assistance (up to $500.00).
For more information, please contact Ruth H. Carmichael via email or by phone at 251-861-2141 ext. 7555.
Eligibility
Applications are invited from undergraduates rising to their sophomore, junior, or senior years with broad interests in ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, biomedicine, and physical and environmental sciences. Students cannot have graduated at the time of the fellowship. Students who have participated in an NSF OCE-funded REU program are not eligible for a second internship without special permission (please contact DISL before applying).
Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions.
Minorities, veterans, non-traditional students, and those from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Application Procedures
- Complete the online application at the NSF ETAP portal.
a) Create an ETAP account
b) Find the ‘DISL REU Program 2025’ opportunity by using the link above OR by searching for DISL REU 2025.
c) Carefully read the eligibility criteria and click ‘I certify’ if you meet the criteria (also described above).
d) Follow the instructions in the ETAP portal (via Research.gov), and enter your personal information.
e) After you have created an account, you may wish to review the program-specific questions and prepare (proofread, edit) answers offline.
f) We encourage you to save your responses after each entry. - Two letters of recommendation. (Please request letters at least two weeks prior to the application deadline and remind reviewers of the deadline.)
- If you have ANY problems with the ETAP application, for the most rapid response:
a) Call the ETAP help line (1-800-381-1532), DO NOT SEND an email.
b) Do not select the ‘call back’ option, stay on the line to speak with someone.
Incomplete packages may not be considered.
Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences located in Alexandria, VA. NSF Award 1838618 and 2150347. The NSF contact for this program is Elizabeth Rom. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information. Participation in the DISL REU Program each year is contingent on the continuation of funding from the National Science Foundation. An abstract and details of the program proposal can be found on the NSF webpage.