REU Program Announcement

Research Experiences for Undergraduates
(REU)
Sites and Supplements

PROGRAM SOLICITATION
NSF 19-582
REPLACES DOCUMENT(S):
NSF 13-542
National Science Foundation
Directorate for Biological Sciences
Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Directorate for Education and Human Resources
Directorate for Engineering
Directorate for Geosciences
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
Office of Integrative Activities
Office of International Science and Engineering
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):
     August 28, 2019
     Fourth Wednesday in August, Annually Thereafter

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES
The suggested allowances for student stipends and other student costs have been increased.
The REU Site Contacts web page provides contact information for the REU program officers in each NSF disciplinary unit that manages
REU Sites, and that page also lists discipline-specific REU web pages for units that have them. Those web pages may describe
characteristics of REU Sites that tend to vary by discipline; some examples, as indicated in this solicitation, include typical project
budgets, project duration, PI/mentor salary, percentage of students outside the host institution, inclusion of in-service K-12 teachers,
and approaches to evaluation. Prospective PIs may find that guidance helpful when preparing proposals or may direct specific
questions to the points of contact.
Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & Award
Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 19-1), which is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after February 25, 2019.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Program Title:
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Sites and Supplements
Synopsis of Program:
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

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the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) 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. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome. (2)
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.
Undergraduate student participants in either REU Sites or REU Supplements must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or
permanent residents of the United States.
Students do not apply to NSF to participate in REU activities. Students apply directly to REU Sites or to NSF-funded
investigators who receive 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.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of
contact.
NSF REU Site Contacts
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
47.041
--- Engineering
47.049
--- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
47.050
--- Geosciences
47.070
--- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
47.074
--- Biological Sciences
47.075
--- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences
47.076
--- Education and Human Resources
47.079
--- Office of International Science and Engineering
47.083
--- Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)

Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant or Cooperative Agreement
Estimated Number of Awards: 1,750 to 1,800
This estimate includes approximately 180 new Site awards and 1,600 new Supplement awards each year.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $76,370,000
in FY 2020 -- This estimate includes both Sites and Supplements, pending availability of funds.

Eligibility Information
Who May Submit Proposals:
The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the NSF
Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Chapter I.E.
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 CoPrincipal Investigator if developing and operating the REU Site would involve such shared responsibility. Other
anticipated research supervisors should be listed as Non-Co-PI Senior Personnel. 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.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
There are no restrictions or limits on the number of proposals per organization except for the following: NSF Centers
or National Facilities managed by NSF's Division of Materials Research (DMR) that have an active REU Site may not
request additional support for a new Site or an expansion of their existing Site. (For questions, e-mail
reu.dmr@nsf.gov.)
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:
There are no restrictions or limits.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

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Letters of Intent: Not required
Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required
Full Proposals:
Full Proposals submitted via FastLane: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines
apply. The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at:
https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.
Full Proposals submitted via Research.gov: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
guidelines apply. The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at:
https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.
Full Proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and
Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is
available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?
ods_key=grantsgovguide).
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing Requirements:
Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
Recovery of indirect costs (F&A) is prohibited on Participant Support Costs in REU Site proposals and REU Supplemental
funding requests.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
C. Due Dates
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):
     August 28, 2019
     Fourth Wednesday in August, Annually Thereafter

Proposal Review Information Criteria
Merit Review Criteria:
National Science Board approved criteria. Additional merit review considerations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for
further information.

Award Administration Information
Award Conditions:
Standard NSF award conditions apply.
Reporting Requirements:
Additional reporting requirements apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary of Program Requirements
I. Introduction
II. Program Description
III. Award Information
IV. Eligibility Information
V. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

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B. Budgetary Information
C. Due Dates
D. FastLane/Research.gov/Grants.gov Requirements
VI. NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria
B. Review and Selection Process
VII. Award Administration Information
A. Notification of the Award
B. Award Conditions
C. Reporting Requirements
VIII. Agency Contacts
IX. Other Information

I. INTRODUCTION
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) is a Foundation-wide program that supports active participation in science,
engineering, and education research by undergraduate students. REU proposals are welcome in any of the research areas supported
by NSF (see https://www.nsf.gov/funding/aboutfunding.jsp), including the priority areas and cross-cutting areas that NSF has identified.
The REU program seeks to expand student participation in all kinds of research--both disciplinary and interdisciplinary--encompassing
efforts by individual investigators, groups, centers, national facilities, and others. It draws on the integration of research and education
to attract a diverse pool of talented students into careers in science and engineering, including teaching and education research related
to science and engineering, and to help ensure that these students receive the best education possible.
This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: REU Sites and REU Supplements.

II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Research experience is one of the most effective avenues for attracting students to and retaining them in science and engineering and
for preparing them for careers in these fields. The REU program, through both Sites and Supplements, aims to provide appropriate and
valuable educational experiences for undergraduate students through participation in research. REU projects involve students in
meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. REU projects feature
high-quality interaction of students with faculty and/or other research mentors and access to appropriate facilities and professional
development opportunities.
REU projects offer an opportunity to tap the nation's diverse student talent pool and broaden participation in science and engineering.
NSF is particularly interested in increasing the numbers of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities in
research. REU projects are strongly encouraged to involve students who are members of these groups. (Underrepresented minorities
are African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders.) When designing
recruitment plans, REU projects also are encouraged to consider students who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and firstgeneration college students.
Historically, the vast majority of REU participants have been junior- or senior-level undergraduates--students who have typically already
committed to a major in science or engineering. So that the REU program can succeed in attracting students into science and
engineering who might not otherwise consider those majors and careers, projects are encouraged to involve students at earlier stages
in their college experience. Some REU projects effectively engage first-year and second-year undergraduates by developing
partnerships with community colleges.
REU projects may be carried out during the summer months, during the academic year, or both. Three years is the typical duration for
REU Site awards in most NSF directorates; however, a duration of up to five years may be allowed in some cases. New REU Sites are
encouraged to apply for no more than three years of funding. Renewal REU Sites should discuss the project duration with the cognizant
program officer prior to requesting support for more than three years. The term of an REU Supplement may not exceed that of the
underlying research project.
REU Sites
REU Sites are based on independent proposals, submitted for an annual deadline date, to initiate and conduct projects that engage a
number of undergraduate students in research. Proposals for the establishment of an REU Site may be submitted to any of NSF's
directorates. The Office of International Science and Engineering will consider co-funding relevant REU Sites that are primarily
managed by other NSF units. Proposers are encouraged to communicate with the NSF REU point of contact in their disciplinary area;
see https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_contacts.jsp.
REU Sites must have a well-defined common focus that enables a cohort experience for students. 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. (Although interdisciplinary or multi-department proposals must be submitted to a single NSF disciplinary unit, these proposals
are often reviewed by two or more NSF units, at the discretion of the NSF program officer who manages the proposal.) A proposal
should reflect the unique combination of the proposing organization's interests and capabilities and those of any partnering

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organizations. Cooperative arrangements among organizations and research settings may be considered so that a project can increase
the quality or availability of undergraduate research experiences. To extend research opportunities to a larger number of
undergraduates, proposers are welcome to incorporate approaches that make use of cyberinfrastructure or other advanced
technologies that facilitate research, learning, and collaboration over distances ("virtual projects").
REU Sites are an important means for extending high-quality research environments and mentoring to diverse groups of students. In
addition to increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in research, the program aims to involve students in research who
might not otherwise have the opportunity, particularly those from academic institutions where research programs in STEM are limited.
Thus, a significant fraction of the student participants at an REU Site must come from outside the host institution or organization, and at
least half of the student participants must be recruited from academic institutions where research opportunities in STEM are limited
(including two-year colleges).
High-quality mentoring for the student participants is very important in REU Sites. Investigators are strongly encouraged to provide
appropriate training for research mentors. They should also encourage continued interaction of mentors with students during the
academic year, to the extent practicable, to help connect students' research experiences to their overall course of study and to help the
students achieve success in courses of study leading to a baccalaureate degree in a STEM field.
Although proposals for the renewal of successful REU Sites are welcome, investigators are reminded that such proposals will be
reviewed through the normal merit review process and there is no guarantee that a renewal grant will be awarded.
REU Supplements
An REU Supplement typically provides support for one or two undergraduate students to participate in research as part of a new or
ongoing NSF-funded research project. However, centers or large research efforts may request support for a number of students
commensurate with the size and nature of the project. REU Supplements are supported by the various research programs throughout
the Foundation, including programs such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR).
High-quality mentoring is important in REU Supplements, just as it is in REU Sites, and investigators should give serious attention not
only to developing students' research skills but also to involving them in the culture of research in the discipline and connecting their
research experience with their overall course of study.
Investigators are reminded that support for undergraduate students involved in carrying out research under NSF awards should be
included as part of the research proposal itself instead of as a post-award supplement to the research proposal, unless such
undergraduate participation was not foreseeable at the time of the original proposal.
A request for an REU Supplement may be submitted in either of two ways: (1) Proposers may include an REU Supplement activity as a
component of a new (or renewal) research proposal to NSF. For guidance, contact the program officer who manages the research
program to which the proposal would be submitted. (2) Investigators holding an existing NSF research award may submit a post-award
request for supplemental funding. For guidance, contact the cognizant program officer for the NSF grant or cooperative agreement that
would be supplemented.
Special Opportunities
Some applicants might be interested in the following opportunities as elements of their REU projects. These are optional; proposals are
not required to respond to any of them.
Partnership with the Department of Defense
NSF engages in a partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) to expand undergraduate research opportunities in DoD-relevant
research areas through the REU Sites program. The DoD activity is called Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research
Experiences (ASSURE). Any proposal submitted to NSF for the REU Sites program that is recommended for funding through the NSF
merit review process may be considered by DoD representatives for possible support through ASSURE. Proposals that are selected for
the DoD funding will involve DoD-relevant research and may come from any of the NSF directorates or offices that handle REU Site
proposals. A proposer to the NSF REU Sites program does not need to take any additional steps to be considered for funding through
ASSURE.
International Projects
The REU program encourages projects with an international dimension. Appropriate REU Site and REU Supplement proposals can be
considered for co-funding by NSF's Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE). International projects typically involve
partnering a U.S. REU project with one or more international collaborators in a specific institution or organization. Successful
international REU projects include (1) true intellectual collaboration with a foreign partner and (2) benefits that are realized from the
expertise, specialized skills, facilities, phenomena, or other resources that the foreign collaborator or research environment provides.
Due to higher travel costs, REU projects with an international dimension are typically expected to cost more per student than domestic
projects. Such higher costs are offset by the value that NSF places on developing a globally engaged workforce and on providing U.S.
undergraduates, as well as K-12 teachers of science and mathematics, with the benefits of international research experience. Projects
with an international dimension also often have more complex logistics and a more complex mentoring arrangement than domestic
projects. Proposals should provide sufficient detail to demonstrate the feasibility of such arrangements.
Proposals should include a description of the foreign collaborator's role in the project, a two-page Biographical Sketch for the foreign
collaborator, and a letter of collaboration from the foreign institution or organization (see PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.j), which assures that
the foreign institution or organization is committed to the collaboration and will give students appropriate access to facilities.
In all cases, those planning a project with an international dimension should discuss their idea with a program officer in OISE (see the
list of contacts by country and region at https://www.nsf.gov/od/oise/country-list.jsp), as well as with the appropriate disciplinary
program officer for REU.
Research Experiences for Teachers

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NSF encourages research experiences for K-12 teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and the coordination of
these experiences with REU projects. Most directorates support Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) as a formal activity and
announce their specific interests (e.g., RET Sites, RET Supplements) either in solicitations, in Dear Colleague Letters, or on
directorate/division websites. Other NSF units have no formal announcement but respond to requests for RET support on a case-bycase basis or permit the inclusion of an RET component (with a distinct description and cost breakdown) as part of an REU proposal.
Teachers may also be included in an international REU project. Applicants who wish to include an RET component in an REU proposal
may wish to contact the appropriate REU program officer for guidance. REU Site proposals that include a significant RET component
should begin the project title with the label "REU/RET Site:" to ensure appropriate tracking at NSF.

III. AWARD INFORMATION
An REU activity may be funded as a standard or continuing grant (for REU Sites), as a supplement to an existing award, or as a
component of a new or renewal grant or cooperative agreement. REU Sites and Supplements are funded by various disciplinary and
education research programs throughout NSF, and the number of awards made varies across the Foundation from year to year, as
does the amount of funds invested.
Three years is the typical duration for REU Site awards in most NSF directorates; however, a duration of up to five years may be
allowed in some cases. The typical REU Site hosts 8-10 students per year. The typical funding amount is $80,000-$130,000 per year,
although NSF does not dictate a firm upper (or lower) limit for the amount, which depends on the number of students hosted and the
number of weeks.
The REU experience is a research training experience paid via a stipend, not employment (work) paid with a salary or wage. In this
case, the student's training consists of closely mentored independent research. For administrative convenience, organizations may
choose to issue payments to REU students using their normal payroll system. The funds received by students may be taxable income
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Please consult the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) for additional information. Students might find the IRS's "Tax Information for Education" website to be particularly helpful.

IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Who May Submit Proposals:
The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the NSF
Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Chapter I.E.
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 CoPrincipal Investigator if developing and operating the REU Site would involve such shared responsibility. Other
anticipated research supervisors should be listed as Non-Co-PI Senior Personnel. 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.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
There are no restrictions or limits on the number of proposals per organization except for the following: NSF Centers
or National Facilities managed by NSF's Division of Materials Research (DMR) that have an active REU Site may not
request additional support for a new Site or an expansion of their existing Site. (For questions, e-mail
reu.dmr@nsf.gov.)
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:
There are no restrictions or limits.
Additional Eligibility Info:
Eligible Student Participants: Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds in either REU
Supplements or REU Sites must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. An
undergraduate student is a student who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a
baccalaureate or associate degree. Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are
enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate. High school graduates who have been
accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to
participate. Students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are
generally not eligible to participate.
Some NSF directorates encourage inclusion in the REU program of K-12 teachers of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics. Please contact the appropriate disciplinary program officer for guidance.
For REU Sites, a significant fraction of the student participants should come from outside the host institution or
organization.

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Within the framework of the basic eligibility guidelines outlined here, most REU Sites and Supplements further define
recruitment and selection criteria, based on the nature of the particular research and other factors.

V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via FastLane,
Research.gov, or Grants.gov.
Full proposals submitted via FastLane: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and
submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide
(PAPPG). The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at:
https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg. Paper copies of the PAPPG may be obtained from the NSF
Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov. Proposers are reminded to identify
this program solicitation number in the program solicitation block on the NSF Cover Sheet For Proposal to the National
Science Foundation. Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines.
Failure to submit this information may delay processing.
Full Proposals submitted via Research.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared
and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures
Guide (PAPPG). The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at:
https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg. Paper copies of the PAPPG may be obtained from the NSF
Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov. The Prepare New Proposal setup
will prompt you for the program solicitation number.
Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants.gov should be
prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and
Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov. The complete text of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on
the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?
ods_key=grantsgovguide). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package, click on the Apply tab
on the Grants.gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions link
and enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download
Package button. Paper copies of the Grants.gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications
Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov.
In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following:
Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted
via the NSF FastLane system. PAPPG Chapter II.D.3 provides additional information on collaborative proposals.
See PAPPG Chapter II.C.2 for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the
proposal preparation instructions provided in this program solicitation may deviate from the PAPPG instructions.
Note that the REU Site Contacts web page provides contact information for the REU program officers in each NSF disciplinary unit that
manages REU Sites, and that page also lists discipline-specific REU web pages for units that have them. Prospective PIs may consult
those web pages or the points of contact for more specific information about characteristics of REU Sites that tend to vary by discipline.
PROPOSAL FOR REU SITE
The following instructions supplement those found in the PAPPG or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide.
Cover Sheet. When preparing the Cover Sheet in FastLane's Proposal Preparation module, select the Program
Announcement/Solicitation No. for this solicitation from the pull-down list. (Grants.gov users: The program solicitation will be prepopulated by Grants.gov on the NSF Grant Application Cover Page.) Select the Division(s) to which the proposal is directed.
If the proposal has an interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary research focus, choose the Division(s) that seems most relevant (often this is
the Division corresponding to the departmental affiliation of the Principal Investigator), and NSF staff will ensure that the proposal is
reviewed by people who have expertise that is appropriate to the proposal's content. (Often such proposals are co-reviewed by two or
more NSF disciplinary units.) Choose "SBE Office of Multidisciplinary Activities" as the Division only if the proposal has a significant
research focus in SBE (social, behavioral, and economic sciences) areas.
The REU-associated program within the Division(s) that you selected will appear automatically in the "Current List of NSF Selected
Units" at the bottom of the screen. (Grants.gov users should refer to Section VI.1.2. of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide for
specific instructions on how to designate the NSF Unit of Consideration.)
Begin the title of the proposed project with the label "REU Site:" and carefully choose a project title that will permit prospective student
participants to easily identify the focus of the site.
A single individual should be designated as the Principal Investigator (PI); this individual will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of
the award. One additional person may be designated as Co-PI if developing and operating the REU Site would involve such shared
responsibility. Other anticipated research supervisors should be designated as Non-Co-PI Senior Personnel and are not listed on the
Cover Sheet.

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Project Summary (limited to one page). The "Overview" section of the Project Summary must begin with the following list of "Project
Elements":
PROJECT ELEMENTS:
New REU Site, or renewal of previously funded REU Site (provide previous NSF Award Number)? (* see Note below)
Project title (as shown on Cover Sheet): "REU Site: ..."
Principal Investigator:
Submitting organization:
Other organizations involved in the project's operation:
Location(s) (universities, national labs, field stations, etc.) at which the proposed undergraduate research will occur:
Main field(s) and sub-field(s) of the research:
No. of undergraduate participants per year:
Summer REU Site, or academic year REU Site?:
No. of weeks per year that the students will participate:
Does the project include an international component or an RET component?:
Name, phone number, and e-mail address of point of contact for student applicants:
Web address (URL) for information about the REU Site (if known):
In the remainder of the Project Summary, briefly describe the project's objectives, activities, students to be recruited, and intended
impact. Provide separate statements on the intellectual merit and broader impacts of the proposed activity, as required by the PAPPG.
*Note: If the proposal is requesting continued funding for a previously funded REU Site but has a different PI, FastLane and
Research.gov will not allow selection of the "Renewal" indicator on the proposal Cover Sheet. However, the relevant "Project Element"
in the Project Summary (above) should indicate that the proposal is a "renewal," and the outcomes of the previous Site should be
described in the "Results from Prior NSF Support" section of the Project Description.
Project Description. Address items "a" through "g" below. The Project Description must not exceed 15 pages and must contain
separate sections labeled "Intellectual Merit" and "Broader Impacts" within the narrative.
a. Overview. Provide a brief description of the objectives of the proposed REU Site, targeted student participants, intellectual
focus, organizational structure, timetable, and participating organizations' commitment to the REU activity.
b. Nature of Student Activities. Proposals should address the approach to undergraduate research training being taken and
should provide detailed descriptions of examples of research projects that students will pursue. So that reviewers can evaluate
intellectual merit, this discussion should indicate the significance of the research area and, when appropriate, the underlying
theoretical framework, hypotheses, research questions, etc. Undergraduate research experiences have their greatest impact
in situations that lead the students from a relatively dependent status to as independent a status as their competence
warrants. Proposals must present plans that will ensure the development of student-faculty interaction and student-student
communication. Development of collegial relationships and interactions is an important part of the project.
c. The Research Environment. This subsection should describe the experience, and the record of the involvement with
undergraduate research, of the PI, the faculty who may serve as research mentors, and the institution(s) or organization(s)
where the research will occur. The description should include information on the record of faculty/mentors in publishing work
involving undergraduate authors and in providing professional development opportunities for student researchers. This
subsection should also discuss the diversity of the mentor pool and any plans by which mentoring relationships will be
sustained after students leave the REU Site.
d. Student Recruitment and Selection. The overall quality of the student recruitment and selection processes and criteria will be
an important element in the evaluation of the proposal. The recruitment plan should be described with as much specificity as
possible, including the types and/or names of academic institutions where students will be recruited and the efforts that will be
made to attract members of underrepresented groups (women, minorities, and persons with disabilities).
A significant fraction of the student participants at an REU Site must come from outside the host institution or organization, and
at least half of the student participants must be recruited from academic institutions where research opportunities in STEM are
limited (including two-year colleges). The number of students per project should be appropriate to the institutional or
organizational setting and to the manner in which research is conducted in the discipline. The typical REU Site hosts eight to
ten students per year. Proposals involving fewer than six students per year are discouraged.
Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds in either REU Sites or REU Supplements must be U.S. citizens,
U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.
e. Student and Mentor Professional Development. This subsection should describe (1) plans for student professional
development, including training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research; (2) training, mentoring, or monitoring that
research mentors have received or will receive to help them mentor students effectively during the research experience; and
(3) the REU Site's plans for communicating information on expectations of behavior to ensure a safe and respectful
environment for all participants.
NSF does not tolerate sexual harassment, or any kind of harassment, where NSF-funded activities take place. Proposers are
required to have a policy or code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual
assault. Proposers should provide an orientation for all participants in the REU Site (REU students, faculty, postdocs, graduate
students, other research mentors, etc.) to cover expectations of behavior to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all
participants, and to review the organization's policy or code of conduct addressing sexual harassment, other forms of
harassment, and sexual assault, including reporting and complaint procedures. For additional information, see the NSF
policies at https://www.nsf.gov/od/odi/harassment.jsp and the "Promising Practices" at
https://www.nsf.gov/od/odi/promising_practices/index.jsp.
f. Project Evaluation and Reporting. Describe the plan to measure qualitatively and quantitatively the success of the project in
achieving its goals, particularly the degree to which students have learned and their perspectives on science, engineering, or
education research related to these disciplines have been expanded. Evaluation may involve periodic measures throughout
the project to ensure that it is progressing satisfactorily according to the project plan, and may involve pre-project and postproject measures aimed at determining the degree of student learning that has been achieved. In addition, it is highly desirable
to have a structured means of tracking participating students beyond graduation, with the aim of gauging the degree to which

8

the REU Site experience has been a lasting influence in the students' career paths. Proposers may wish to consult
http://www.evalu-ate.org/resources/doc-2010-nsfhandbook/The 2010 User-Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation for
guidance on the elements in a good evaluation plan. Although not required, REU Site PIs may wish to engage specialists in
education research (from their organization or another one) in planning and implementing the project evaluation.
g. Results from Prior NSF Support (if applicable). If the proposal is requesting renewal of an existing REU Site or if the
department or center (or similar organizational subunit) that will host the proposed Site has hosted another REU Site during
the past five years, the Project Description must include a subsection entitled "Results from Prior NSF Support," which may
occupy up to five pages of the 15-page Project Description. This subsection must describe the earlier REU project(s) and
outcomes in sufficient detail to permit reviewers to reach an informed conclusion regarding the value of the results achieved.
Valuable information typically includes results from the project evaluation; summary information about recruiting efforts and the
number of applicants, the demographic make-up of participants and their home institutions, and career choices of participants;
and a list of publications or reports (already published or to be submitted) resulting from the NSF award.
References Cited. A list of bibliographic citations relevant to the proposal must be included.
Biographical Sketches. Provide Biographical Sketches for all Senior Personnel, up to a total of 12 people. Senior Personnel include
the PI, the Co-PI (if one has been designated), and other faculty/professionals who are anticipated to serve as research mentors.
Biographical Sketches should follow the PAPPG's standard specifications for format and length but should include, if applicable, any
publications with undergraduate co-authors (with the student labeled by an asterisk) and other activities or accomplishments relevant to
a successful REU Site.
If the project will employ an external evaluator, a Biographical Sketch for that professional may be included in the Supplementary
Documents section of the proposal.
Budget. The focus of REU Sites is the student experience, and the budget must reflect this principle. Project costs must be
predominantly for student support, which usually includes such items as participant stipends, housing, meals, travel, and laboratory use
fees. Costs in budget categories outside Participant Support must be modest and reasonable. For example, for summer REU Sites,
many NSF units consider up to one month of salary for the PI, or distributed among the PI and other research mentors, to be
appropriate for time spent administering and coordinating the REU Site, training mentors, and similar operational activities. (NSF
expects that research mentors will be supported with appropriate salary for their research activities, though not necessarily through the
REU grant.) Some budgets include costs for limited travel by project personnel and for various activities that enhance students'
professional development.
An REU Site may not charge students an application fee. An REU Site may not charge students tuition, or include tuition in the proposal
budget, as a requirement for participation (although it is permissible to offer students the option of earning academic credit for
participation). An REU Site may not charge students for access to common campus facilities such as libraries or athletic facilities.
Student stipends for summer REU Sites are expected to be approximately $600 per student per week. Other student costs include
housing, meals, travel, and laboratory use fees and usually vary depending on the location of the site. Amounts for academic-year REU
Sites should be comparable on a pro rata basis. All student costs should be entered as Participant Support Costs. Indirect costs (F&A)
are not allowed on Participant Support Costs.
Total project costs--including all direct costs and indirect costs--are generally expected not to exceed $1,350 per student per week.
However, projects that involve exceptional circumstances, such as international activities, field work in remote locations, a Research
Experiences for Teachers (RET) component, etc., may exceed this limit.
The Budget Justification should explain and justify all major cost items and any unusual items or situations, such as field work or
international collaborations, and should address the cost-effectiveness of the project. As noted above, projects that involve an
international component or field work in remote locations often have larger budgets than other projects. This feature is understandable,
but the extra costs, with detailed breakdown, should be described in the Budget Justification.
When preparing proposals, PIs are encouraged to contact the appropriate disciplinary REU program officer (see
https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_contacts.jsp) with any questions about the budget or the appropriateness of charges in it.
So as not to create a financial hardship for students, REU Sites are encouraged to pay students their stipend and living expenses on a
regular basis or at least on an incremental basis--not, for example, in a lump sum at the end of the summer.
Although the informal seminars, field trips, and similar gatherings through which students interact and become attuned to the culture of
research and their discipline are often vital to the success of undergraduate research experiences, applicants are reminded that costs
of entertainment, amusement, diversion, and social activities, and any expenses directly associated with such activities (such as meals,
lodging, rentals, transportation, and gratuities), are unallowable in the proposal budget. Federal/NSF funds may not be used to support
these expenses. However, costs of "working meals" at seminars and other events at which student participation is required and for
which there is a formal agenda are generally allowable.
Current and Pending Support. Provide this information for all Senior Personnel, up to a total of 12 people. Senior Personnel include
the PI, the Co-PI (if one has been designated), and other faculty/professionals who are anticipated to serve as research mentors.
Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources. Complete this section in accordance with the instructions in the PAPPG.
Supplementary Documentation. In addition to the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (if applicable) and the Data Management
Plan, the proposal may include up to ten signed letters of collaboration documenting collaborative arrangements of significance to the
proposal (see PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.j). These may be scanned and uploaded into the Supplementary Documents section. Letters may
be relevant where the awardee and performing organizations are different, where faculty or facilities at more than one organization are
to be employed, or where international activities are planned. Other letters--for example, letters of endorsement--are not permitted.
If the project will involve an external evaluator, a Biographical Sketch for that professional may also be included in the Supplementary
Documents.
REQUEST FOR REU SUPPLEMENT

9

Many of the research programs throughout the Foundation support REU activities that are requested either (1) as a component of a
new (or renewal) research proposal or (2) as a post-award supplement to an existing grant or cooperative agreement. Specific
guidance for the use of either mechanism is given in the last two paragraphs of this section (below).
Investigators are reminded that support for undergraduate students involved in carrying out research under NSF awards should be
included as part of the research proposal itself instead of as a post-award supplement to the research proposal, unless such
undergraduate participation was not foreseeable at the time of the original proposal.
Contacts: For guidance about preparing an REU Supplement request as a component of a new (or renewal) research proposal,
contact the program officer who manages the relevant research program. For guidance about preparing an REU Supplement request
for an existing NSF award, contact the program officer assigned to the NSF award that would be supplemented. Do not contact the list
of disciplinary REU program officers at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_contacts.jsp about REU Supplements.
Regardless of which mechanism is used to request an REU Supplement, the description of the REU activity should discuss the
following: (1) the nature of each prospective student's involvement in the research project; (2) the experience of the PI (or other
prospective research mentors) in involving undergraduates in research, including any previous REU Supplement support and the
outcomes from that support; (3) the nature of the mentoring that the student(s) will receive; and (4) the process and criteria for selecting
the student(s). If a student has been pre-selected (as might be true in the case of a supplement for an ongoing award), then the
grounds for selection and a brief Biographical Sketch of the student should be included. (PIs are reminded that the student[s] must be a
U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the United States.)
Normally, funds may be requested for up to two students, but exceptions will be considered for training additional qualified students
who are members of underrepresented groups (women, minorities, and persons with disabilities). Centers or large research efforts may
request support for a number of students commensurate with the size and nature of the project.
Student stipends for summer projects are expected to be comparable to those of REU Site participants, approximately $600 per student
per week. Other student costs include housing, meals, travel, and laboratory use fees and usually vary depending on location. Amounts
for academic-year projects should be comparable on a pro rata basis.
Total costs for a summer--including all direct costs and indirect costs--are generally expected not to exceed $1,350 per student per
week. However, projects that involve international activities, field work in remote locations, or other exceptional circumstances may
exceed this limit.
Results from any REU Supplement activities must be included in the annual project report for the associated award. The term of an
REU Supplement may not exceed that of the associated award.
A request for an REU Supplement as part of a proposal for a new or renewal grant or cooperative agreement should be
embedded in the proposal as follows. Enter the description of the REU activity (namely, the information described above in the fourth
paragraph under the subheading "REQUEST FOR REU SUPPLEMENT") in the section for Supplementary Documentation. Limit this
description to three pages. Include the budget for the REU activity in the yearly project budget. Enter all student costs under Participant
Support Costs. Indirect costs [F&A] are not allowed on Participant Support Costs. As part of the Budget Justification, provide a separate
explanation of the REU Supplement request, with the proposed student costs itemized and justified and a total given for the items plus
associated indirect costs.
If the intent is to engage students as technicians, then an REU Supplement is not the appropriate support mechanism; instead, support
should be entered on the Undergraduate Students line of the proposal budget.
A request for an REU Supplement to an existing NSF award may be submitted if the need for the undergraduate student support
was not foreseen at the time of the original proposal submission. Before preparing a request for supplemental funding, the PI should
discuss it with the cognizant program officer for the award unless the PI is responding to a Dear Colleague Letter or other
announcement that specifically calls for REU Supplement requests. The PI should prepare the request in FastLane in accordance with
the guidelines found in the PAPPG. The following instructions supplement those found in the PAPPG. After logging into FastLane,
choose "Award and Reporting Functions," and then "Supplemental Funding Request." Next, choose the award to be supplemented. In
the form entitled "Summary of Proposed Work," state that this is a request for an REU Supplement. In the form entitled "Justification for
Supplement," include the information described above in the fourth paragraph under the subheading "REQUEST FOR REU
SUPPLEMENT"; limit your response to three pages. If an REU student has been pre-selected, you may place a brief Biographical
Sketch in Supplementary Documents. Prepare a budget, including a justification of the funds requested for student support and their
proposed use. All student costs should be entered as Participant Support Costs (Line F) in the proposal budget. (Indirect costs [F&A]
are not allowed on Participant Support Costs.) After you have prepared the request for supplemental funding, forward it to your
organization's Sponsored Research Office (SRO), which will submit the request to NSF.

B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing:
Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
Recovery of indirect costs (F&A) is prohibited on Participant Support Costs in REU Site proposals and requests for REU Supplements.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
For summer REU projects, the total budget request--including all direct costs and indirect costs--is generally expected not to exceed
$1,350 per student per week. (The budget request for an academic-year REU project should be comparable on a pro rata basis.)
However, projects that involve exceptional circumstances, such as international activities, field work in remote locations, a Research
Experience for Teachers (RET) component, etc., may exceed this limit.

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C. Due Dates
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):
     August 28, 2019
     Fourth Wednesday in August, Annually Thereafter

D. FastLane/Research.gov/Grants.gov Requirements
For Proposals Submitted Via FastLane or Research.gov:
To prepare and submit a proposal via FastLane, see detailed technical instructions available at:
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm. To prepare and submit a proposal via Research.gov, see detailed
technical instructions available at: https://www.research.gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop?
_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=research_node_display&_nodePath=/researchGov/Service/Desktop/ProposalPreparationan
dSubmission.html. For FastLane or Research.gov user support, call the FastLane and Research.gov Help Desk at 1800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov or rgov@nsf.gov. The FastLane and Research.gov Help Desk answers
general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane and Research.gov systems. Specific questions related
to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this funding
opportunity.
For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.gov:
Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must register to create an institutional profile. Once
registered, the applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants.gov website.
Comprehensive information about using Grants.gov is available on the Grants.gov Applicant Resources webpage:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html. In addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide (see link in
Section V.A) provides instructions regarding the technical preparation of proposals via Grants.gov. For Grants.gov
user support, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: support@grants.gov. The
Grants.gov Contact Center answers general technical questions related to the use of Grants.gov. Specific questions
related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this
solicitation.
Submitting the Proposal: Once all documents have been completed, the Authorized Organizational Representative
(AOR) must submit the application to Grants.gov and verify the desired funding opportunity and agency to which the
application is submitted. The AOR must then sign and submit the application to Grants.gov. The completed
application will be transferred to the NSF FastLane system for further processing.
Proposers that submitted via FastLane or Research.gov may use Research.gov to verify the status of their submission to NSF. For
proposers that submitted via Grants.gov, until an application has been received and validated by NSF, the Authorized Organizational
Representative may check the status of an application on Grants.gov. After proposers have received an e-mail notification from NSF,
Research.gov should be used to check the status of an application.

VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program for acknowledgement and, if they meet NSF requirements,
for review. All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by
three to ten other persons outside NSF either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists, or both, who are experts in the particular fields
represented by the proposal. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with oversight of the review process.
Proposers are invited to suggest names of persons they believe are especially well qualified to review the proposal and/or persons they
would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the Program
Officer's discretion. Submission of such names, however, is optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest
with the proposal. In addition, Program Officers may obtain comments from site visits before recommending final action on proposals.
Senior NSF staff further review recommendations for awards. A flowchart that depicts the entire NSF proposal and award process (and
associated timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1.
A comprehensive description of the Foundation's merit review process is available on the NSF website at:
https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/.
Proposers should also be aware of core strategies that are essential to the fulfillment of NSF's mission, as articulated in Building the
Future: Investing in Discovery and Innovation - NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2018 – 2022. These strategies are integrated
in the program planning and implementation process, of which proposal review is one part. NSF's mission is particularly wellimplemented through the integration of research and education and broadening participation in NSF programs, projects, and activities.
One of the strategic objectives in support of NSF's mission is to foster integration of research and education through the programs,
projects, and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions must recruit, train, and prepare a diverse
STEM workforce to advance the frontiers of science and participate in the U.S. technology-based economy. NSF's contribution to the
national innovation ecosystem is to provide cutting-edge research under the guidance of the Nation's most creative scientists and
engineers. NSF also supports development of a strong science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by
investing in building the knowledge that informs improvements in STEM teaching and learning.

11

NSF's mission calls for the broadening of opportunities and expanding participation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that
are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, which is essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to
this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports.

A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria
The National Science Foundation strives to invest in a robust and diverse portfolio of projects that creates new knowledge and enables
breakthroughs in understanding across all areas of science and engineering research and education. To identify which projects to
support, NSF relies on a merit review process that incorporates consideration of both the technical aspects of a proposed project and
its potential to contribute more broadly to advancing NSF's mission "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health,
prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes." NSF makes every effort to conduct a fair, competitive,
transparent merit review process for the selection of projects.
1. Merit Review Principles
These principles are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations when preparing proposals and managing projects, by reviewers
when reading and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program staff when determining whether or not to recommend proposals for
funding and while overseeing awards. Given that NSF is the primary federal agency charged with nurturing and supporting excellence
in basic research and education, the following three principles apply:
All NSF projects should be of the highest quality and have the potential to advance, if not transform, the frontiers of
knowledge.
NSF projects, in the aggregate, should contribute more broadly to achieving societal goals. These "Broader Impacts" may be
accomplished through the research itself, through activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through
activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. The project activities may be based on previously
established and/or innovative methods and approaches, but in either case must be well justified.
Meaningful assessment and evaluation of NSF funded projects should be based on appropriate metrics, keeping in mind the
likely correlation between the effect of broader impacts and the resources provided to implement projects. If the size of the
activity is limited, evaluation of that activity in isolation is not likely to be meaningful. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of these
activities may best be done at a higher, more aggregated, level than the individual project.
With respect to the third principle, even if assessment of Broader Impacts outcomes for particular projects is done at an aggregated
level, PIs are expected to be accountable for carrying out the activities described in the funded project. Thus, individual projects should
include clearly stated goals, specific descriptions of the activities that the PI intends to do, and a plan in place to document the outputs
of those activities.
These three merit review principles provide the basis for the merit review criteria, as well as a context within which the users of the
criteria can better understand their intent.
2. Merit Review Criteria
All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances,
however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.
The two merit review criteria are listed below. Both criteria are to be given full consideration during the review and decision-making
processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria. (PAPPG
Chapter II.C.2.d(i). contains additional information for use by proposers in development of the Project Description section of the
proposal). Reviewers are strongly encouraged to review the criteria, including PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.d(i), prior to the review of a
proposal.
When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they
plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to
the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be
asked to evaluate all proposals against two criteria:
Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the
achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.
The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:
1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to
a. Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
b. Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the
plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?
5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the
proposed activities?
Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research
projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific
knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to:
full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM); improved STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public
engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive

12

STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic
competitiveness of the United States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education.
Proposers are reminded that reviewers will also be asked to review the Data Management Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher
Mentoring Plan, as appropriate.
Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria
Reviewers will be asked to interpret the two basic NSF review criteria in the context of the REU program. In addition, they will be asked
to place emphasis on the following considerations:
1. Appropriateness and value of the research and professional development experience for the student participants, particularly
the appropriateness of the research project(s) for undergraduate involvement and the nature of the students' participation in
these activities.
2. Quality of the research environment, including the facilities, the preparedness of the research mentor(s) to guide
undergraduate research, and the professional development opportunities for the students.
3. Appropriateness of the student recruitment and selection plans, including those for involving students from underrepresented
groups, from outside the host institution, and from academic institutions with limited research opportunities in STEM.
4. Quality of plans for student preparation and for follow-through designed to promote continuation of student interest and
involvement in research.
5. Appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of the budget, effectiveness of the plans for managing the project and evaluating the
outcomes, and commitment of partners, if relevant.
6. For renewals of previously funded REU Sites: effectiveness of the previous Site.

B. Review and Selection Process
Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review.
Reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals using two National Science Board approved merit review criteria and, if applicable,
additional program specific criteria. A summary rating and accompanying narrative will generally be completed and submitted by each
reviewer and/or panel. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will
formulate a recommendation.
After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to
the cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or recommended for award. NSF strives to be able to tell
applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months. Large or particularly complex
proposals or proposals from new awardees may require additional review and processing time. The time interval begins on the deadline
or target date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director acts upon the Program Officer's
recommendation.
After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of Grants
and Agreements for review of business, financial, and policy implications. After an administrative review has occurred, Grants and
Agreements Officers perform the processing and issuance of a grant or other agreement. Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants
and Agreements Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No
commitment on the part of NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal
Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed
by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at their own risk.
Once an award or declination decision has been made, Principal Investigators are provided feedback about their proposals. In all
cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. Verbatim copies of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers or any
reviewer-identifying information, are sent to the Principal Investigator/Project Director by the Program Officer. In addition, the proposer
will receive an explanation of the decision to award or decline funding.

VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Notification of the Award
Notification of the award is made to the submitting organization by a Grants Officer in the Division of Grants and Agreements.
Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible by the cognizant NSF Program administering the
program. Verbatim copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be provided automatically to the Principal
Investigator. (See Section VI.B. for additional information on the review process.)

B. Award Conditions
An NSF award consists of: (1) the award notice, which includes any special provisions applicable to the award and any numbered
amendments thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of expense, on which NSF has based its support (or
otherwise communicates any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3) the proposal referenced in the award
notice; (4) the applicable award conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (GC-1)*; or Research Terms and Conditions* and (5) any
announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award notice. Cooperative agreements also are
administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions (CA-FATC) and the

13

applicable Programmatic Terms and Conditions. NSF awards are electronically signed by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and
transmitted electronically to the organization via e-mail.
*These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?
org=NSF. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from
nsfpubs@nsf.gov.
More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions and other important information on the administration of NSF awards is
contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VII, available electronically on the NSF
Website at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.

C. Reporting Requirements
For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing grants), the Principal Investigator must submit an annual project report
to the cognizant Program Officer no later than 90 days prior to the end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards require
submission of more frequent project reports). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a
final project report, and a project outcomes report for the general public.
Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or the project outcomes report, will delay NSF review and processing of
any future funding increments as well as any pending proposals for all identified PIs and co-PIs on a given award. PIs should examine
the formats of the required reports in advance to assure availability of required data.
PIs are required to use NSF's electronic project-reporting system, available through Research.gov, for preparation and submission of
annual and final project reports. Such reports provide information on accomplishments, project participants (individual and
organizational), publications, and other specific products and impacts of the project. Submission of the report via Research.gov
constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report are accurate and complete. The project outcomes report also must be
prepared and submitted using Research.gov. This report serves as a brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature
and outcomes of the project. This report will be posted on the NSF website exactly as it is submitted by the PI.
More comprehensive information on NSF Reporting Requirements and other important information on the administration of NSF awards
is contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VII, available electronically on the NSF
Website at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.
PIs are required to provide the names and other basic information about REU student participants as part of annual and final project
reports. In particular, in the report, each REU student who is supported with NSF REU funds must be identified as an "REU Participant,"
and the PI must provide the student's home institution and year of schooling completed (sophomore, junior, etc.). The REU students
(like all participants listed in project reports) will receive an automated request from Research.gov to self-report their demographic
information. PIs of REU Sites may also be required to provide additional information that enables NSF to track students beyond the
period of their participation in the Site.
REU Site awardees are expected to establish a website for the recruitment of students and dissemination of information about the REU
Site and to maintain the website for the duration of the award. PIs are required to furnish the URL for the website to the cognizant NSF
program officer no later than 90 days after receiving notification of the award.

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS
Please note that the program contact information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points
of contact.
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
NSF REU Site Contacts
For questions related to the use of FastLane or Research.gov, contact:
FastLane and Research.gov Help Desk: 1-800-673-6188
FastLane Help Desk e-mail: fastlane@nsf.gov.
Research.gov Help Desk e-mail: rgov@nsf.gov
For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:
Grants.gov Contact Center: If the Authorized Organizational Representatives (AOR) has not received a confirmation message
from Grants.gov within 48 hours of submission of application, please contact via telephone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail:
support@grants.gov.
NSF REU Site Contacts: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_contacts.jsp

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

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The NSF website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information),
programs and funding opportunities. Use of this website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, "NSF Update" is an
information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding
opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants
Conferences. Subscribers are informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new publications are issued that match
their identified interests. "NSF Update" also is available on NSF's website.
Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding
opportunities may be accessed via this mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov may be obtained at http://www.grants.gov.
Some NSF directorates/offices/divisions that manage REU Site proposals post discipline-specific REU web pages or
fund an awardee to host a website providing information for the community of REU awardees in the discipline. These
discipline-specific websites are listed, along with the NSF REU point of contact for each discipline, on the web page
at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_contacts.jsp.
The following resources, which summarize research on the impact of undergraduate research experiences, could be
helpful to investigators as they are designing those experiences and considering approaches to evaluating them:
Brownell, Jayne E., and Lynn E. Swaner. Five High-Impact Practices: Research on Learning, Outcomes,
Completion, and Quality; Chapter 4: "Undergraduate Research." Washington, DC: Association of American
Colleges and Universities, 2010. Reviews published research on the effectiveness and outcomes of
undergraduate research.
Laursen, Sandra, et al. Undergraduate Research in the Sciences: Engaging Students in Real Science. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010. Examines the benefits of undergraduate research, and provides advice for
designing and evaluating the experiences.
Linn, Marcia C., Erin Palmer, Anne Baranger, Elizabeth Gerard, and Elisa Stone. "Undergraduate Research
Experiences: Impacts and Opportunities." Science, Vol. 347, Issue 6222 (6 February 2015); DOI:
10.1126/science.1261757. Comprehensively examines the literature on the impacts of undergraduate
research experiences, and identifies the gaps in knowledge and the opportunities for more rigorous research
and assessment.
Lopatto, David. Science in Solution: The Impact of Undergraduate Research on Student Learning. Tucson,
AZ: Research Corporation for Science Advancement, 2009. Findings from the author's pioneering surveys
exploring the benefits of undergraduate research.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Undergraduate Research Experiences for
STEM Students: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities. Washington, DC: The National Academies
Press, 2017; DOI: 10.17226/24622. NSF-commissioned study that takes stock of what is known, and not
known, about undergraduate research experiences and describes practices and research that faculty can
apply to improve the experiences for students.
Russell, Susan H., Mary P. Hancock, and James McCullough. "Benefits of Undergraduate Research
Experiences." Science, Vol. 316, Issue 5824 (27 April 2007); DOI: 10.1126/science.1140384. Summary of a
large-scale, NSF-funded evaluation of undergraduate research opportunities, conducted by SRI International
between 2002 and 2006. The study included REU Sites, REU Supplements, and undergraduate research
opportunities sponsored by a range of other NSF programs.
Several additional resources offer practical help for designing particular components of REU projects:
Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science. Information, references, and case studies for exploring
ethics in engineering and science and designing training on the responsible and ethical conduct of research.
Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). Publications and online
resources focusing on effective mentoring of beginning researchers.
Evaluation Tools: Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment (URSSA). NSF-funded online survey
instrument for use in evaluating student outcomes of undergraduate research experiences. Some REU Sites
use this tool or a variant of it (see, for example, https://bioreu.org/resources/assessment-and-evaluation/) to
assess student learning gains. Other REU Sites use other tools or follow a different approach; NSF does not
prescribe any one approach to evaluation and assessment for REU Sites.
Some NSF programs that support centers and facilities encourage the inclusion of REU activities as one component
of those large projects; see the individual solicitations for details. Other NSF funding opportunities focus on providing
structured research experiences similar to those supported by the REU program:
International Research Experiences for Students (IRES)
Research Assistantships for High School Students (RAHSS): Directorate for Biological Sciences
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET): Directorate for Biological Sciences
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science
Research Training Groups in the Mathematical Sciences (RTG)

ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as
amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the
national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering."
NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to
more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research

15

organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic
research.
NSF receives approximately 55,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000
are funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency
operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Arctic
and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation
in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable
persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide Chapter
II.E.6 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.
The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities
that enable individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general
information. TDD may be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800) 877-8339.
The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at (703) 292-5111.
The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific progress in the United States by competitively awarding
grants and cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards,
visit the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov
Location:

2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314

For General Information
(NSF Information Center):

(703) 292-5111

TDD (for the hearing-impaired):

(703) 292-5090

To Order Publications or Forms:
Send an e-mail to:

nsfpubs@nsf.gov

or telephone:

(703) 292-7827
(703) 292-5111

To Locate NSF Employees:

PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS
The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act
of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals; and
project reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress.
The information requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review process; to
proposer institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or the administration of
awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to
other government agencies or other entities needing information regarding applicants or nominees as part of a joint application review
process, or in order to coordinate programs or policy; and to another Federal agency, court, or party in a court or Federal administrative
proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select
potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, "Principal
Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File
and Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full
and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0058. Public reporting
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions.
Send comments regarding the burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to:
Suzanne H. Plimpton
Reports Clearance Officer
Office of the General Counsel
National Science Foundation
Alexandria, VA 22314
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