NSF REU Grant Workshop, Thursday, July 8, 1-3 p.m., Tigert 152

Sheila K. Dickison, Associate Provost

The Honors Program announces a workshop on preparing proposals for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grants program Thursday, July 8, 1-3 p.m. Full proposals are due at NSF Aug. 17, 2004.

Please contact Rosie Warner (Tel 392-1519, RWarner@aa.ufl.edu) to sign up for this free workshop.

Who should attend: Faculty interested in preparing a proposal for an REU Site or collaboratively participating in several proposals to be submitted by UF are encouraged to attend. The REU program funds summer research stipends of approximately $4K each for groups of up to 15 undergraduate students typically in their junior year; partial summer salary for one faculty coordinator is also typically funded.

Background: Over the last few years, UF has developed the University Scholars Program, agreements with several excellent minority-serving institutions, and other infrastructure that should enhance the competitiveness of UF faculty in the NSF REU competition. NSF supports REU sites in all disciplines it funds, including social sciences, bio/agricultural areas, education, international, and of course science and engineering disciplines. With more than 6000 student participants each summer, REU is the single largest and most important summer-long undergraduate research program in the US. REU Site grants typically fund three-year programs, where high-ability sophomores and juniors recruited from across the US participate in research projects focused on a discipline or theme. Undergraduate students typically spend 10-12 weeks collaborating with a faculty member or graduate student on a research project in their discipline. Research projects are designed to stimulate participant’s interest in graduate studies and often serve to give them experience to compete for prestigious scholarships and graduate programs, as well as excellent recruiting tools for UF departments. Special programs for high school teachers, minority students, and science ethics are available within the program. Award sizes range from about $50K to more than $100K per year. Current REU Sites at UF include Chemistry, Physics, the ERC, and the Whitney Laboratory. More information is at http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04584/nsf04584.pdf .

The workshop will introduce REU Sites and focus on giving information necessary for faculty to easily assemble strong proposals. The workshop will be coordinated by Honors science advisor and chemistry faculty member Randy Duran. Randy directs two REU Sites, has served on several NSF review panels, and is the chair-elect for the NSF Chemistry Division’s REU Leadership Group – an advisory body that represents some 65 sites nationwide.