The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides opportunities for undergraduates to engage in cutting-edge scientific research through Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programsopens in new window.
REU programs are comprehensive research opportunities provided through a participating host university and fully funded by NSF. Undergraduates work in small groups to assist faculty and other researchers with current research initiatives. In addition to funded research, students are given stipends for on-campus housing and travel purposes.
There are several REU sites for psychology majors and/or those interested in gaining experience in the field. NSF provides a directoryopens in new window of social, behavioral and economic science sites, which includes specifics on the programs such as research topics, contact information and application deadlines.
The following universities offer behavioral science REU programs in 2016.
Kentucky
Western Kentucky University (WKU) offers a 10-week REU program, “Advancing Psychological Research with Technology” from May 30-Aug. 6, 2016. Through this program, students will learn about the utilization or examination of technology as a means of advancing psychological research. The primary benefit of participating will be to gain hands-on research experience by working with a faculty mentor to understand technical advances in a variety of psychological fields.
Other benefits include a $5,000 stipend (i.e., compensation for 10 40-hour work weeks), free on-campus housing, a weekly food stipend, reimbursement for travel to/from WKU and funds to travel to a national or international conference. More information on this program can be found on WKU’s websiteopens in new window. The applicationopens in new window deadline is March 1, 2016.
Indiana
The Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior at Indiana University (IU) offers a 10-week REU program from May 23-July 30, 2016. Faculty from the departments of biology, psychological and brain sciences, anthropology, neural science and medical sciences open their labs to provide students with opportunities to assist the faculty with their current research focus. A large portion of the research focuses on cognitive neuroscience topics, such as sensation, perception, attachment behavior, drug abuse, neurological dysfunction/disorders, sex differences, emotional regulation and more.
Each student is provided with living arrangements, a meal plan, travel expenses and a stipend. Further information about this program can be found on IU’s websiteopens in new window. The applicationopens in new window deadline is Feb. 8, 2016.
New York
CUNY Baruch College is awaiting a confirmation of funding for 2016. If funding is available, Baruch College will offer a full-year, two semester REU program in advanced psychological research for college students in the New York metropolitan area. This program provides concentrated research experience in which each student plans and executes an independent project, and works with a faculty mentor and their research team on existing research projects. REU students will also complete a yearlong graduate school preparation course taught at Baruch College. Students will be paid $2,100 per 14-week semester to work at least 10 hours per week in one of the ongoing psychology research labs at Baruch College. For more information, go to Baruch College’s websiteopens in new window.
New York University (NYU) offers an eight-week REU program through the Center for Behavioral Statistics and the Study of Motivated Perception. The summer internship program will be held from June 5-July 30, 2016. Participants will work for 20 hours a week in small research teams with two to three other students, led by one intern, with supervision from a PhD student and faculty mentor. The internship will take a hands-on approach to training in experimental research design and behavioral statistics. Participants will focus on the study of motivated perception through interdisciplinary research under the guidance of NYU social psychologists Emily Balcetis, PhD, and Tessa West, PhD.
Interns will receive free NYU dorm housing for the eight weeks in residence, free meal plans and dining dollars for local restaurants and stipends to defray other living expenses and compensate for lost wages, with successful completion of the internship. For more information, contact Yael Granot or visit the summer internship program’s websiteopens in new window. Applications will be due on Feb. 29, 2016 by 5 p.m. EST.
Syracuse University offers an REU program to veterans who are undergraduate students (and a limited number of nonveterans) on trauma research. This is a four-week summer program from June 6-July 1, 2016. Through this program, students are mentored and trained to become a trauma researcher through a variety of interdisciplinary research opportunities. Students are also given the chance to present their findings at a national or international conference.
In addition to research opportunities, participants will earn a $3,000 stipend and receive free room and board at Syracuse University. More information on the program can be found on the university’s websiteopens in new window. Applicationsopens in new window will be due on Feb. 28, 2016.
Ohio
The Language Sciences Research Lab at The Ohio State University will be recruiting for applicants for 2016. This 10-week paid summer research program from May 23-July 29, 2016, is for undergraduate students interested in language. Research topics include learning and understanding language, perceiving, producing and interpreting accents, along with learning about the ethics of human subjects research.
There will be a stipend for the summer of about $500/week. Further information about this program can be found on the research program’s websiteopens in new window. To apply, applicants must email a completed applicationopens in new window by midnight Feb. 29, 2016. Applicants need a letter of recommendation in addition to their application.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University (OSU) offers an REU program from May 28-July 23, 2016. The goal of this program is to provide 10 undergraduate students with an in-depth, hands-on research experience focused on the biological bases of animal and human behavior. Students will be trained in the application of the scientific method to develop hypotheses and design, and conduct research studies involving either animal or human subjects. Students will also be trained in the responsible conduct of research. Students will be mentored by full-time, PhD-level faculty members who are tenured/tenure-track faculty with strong programs of research. Students selected for the program will be expected to devote at least 40 hours a week for research; thus, it is not possible to be enrolled in courses or other activities during the program.
Each student will reside in a campus dormitory (at no cost to the student) and receive $500 per week to cover food and other living expenses. Students will receive a $500 travel stipend to pay for their travel to and from campus, and a $500 additional stipend if students present research at an academic conference. More information on the program and the application can be found on OSU’s websiteopens in new window. The deadline for the application is March 4, 2016.
Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers an REU-funded program called “The Psychology Research Experience Program (PREP)opens in new window.” This program offers laboratory research opportunities (approximately 30 hours/week) and a curriculum of scientific instruction, professional development and networking opportunities.
PREP provides intensive mentoring and experience in scientific research and professional development to undergraduates from historically underrepresented populations — those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those from low-income backgrounds, those with disabilities, or first-generation college students. For more information, contact PREP. The application deadline is Feb. 15, 2016.
About the Author
Lauren Nemeroff compiled this information while working as an intern in APA’s Education Directorate in 2015. Nemeroff will receive her BA in psychology in May 2016 from George Washington University.
