Fund your research

Currently enrolled U of I undergraduate students in good academic standing are eligible to apply. To qualify:

• The applicant must be a full-time enrolled undergraduate student in any of the eight U of I undergraduate colleges during both the application semester and the travel semester (if not the same).
• The applicant does not have to be a prior OUR funded researcher.
• Students must provide proof of acceptance of their research or creative activity at the conference (usually in the form of an accepted abstract).
• Students must be traveling domestically.
• Students must apply six weeks prior to the anticipated travel date.
• Students must agree to present their work at the university-wide OUR Symposium held every April.
• Maximum of two students per faculty mentor per annual cycle.

What is covered:

Costs for traveling to present at a conference often include: poster printing, airfare (or mileage if you are traveling by car), lodging, ground transportation and registration. The OUR also expects that the student’s mentor, department or college will also commit support for the student’s travel.

To apply, submit the OUR Travel Grant Application along with a letter of support from your U of I faculty research advisor.

Applications must be submitted at least 45 days before your planned travel date. Be sure to include a detailed budget estimating your transportation and registration costs.

Applications received by the 15th of each month will be reviewed before the end of that month.

Note: Applications received in December will be reviewed with the January applicant pool.

A letter of support from the U of I faculty member who mentored your research is required. OUR only funds research conducted at University of Idaho under the guidance of U of I faculty. Projects conducted at other institutions or with non-U of I mentors are not eligible.

The letter should include:

• Student’s name and the conference name, location and date
• Confirmation that the event is a professional conference
• A statement confirming the faculty member’s role in mentoring your research
• A brief description of your work and its significance
• An assessment of the impact of your participation in the conference
• Whether your research is grant-funded (include the funder’s name, if applicable)

The letter must be on department letterhead (PDF format) and emailed to our@uidaho.edu or delivered to the Office of Undergraduate Research.

While financial need is a consideration for selection, it is not the only criterion. We welcome applications that reflect presentations from diverse disciplines as represented in the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and the professional schools. We also encourage applications from diverse student populations such as first-time and experienced presenters.

OUR can reimburse eligible expenses related to conference travel — including transportation, lodging and registration fees — up to a maximum of $800. Meal expenses are not covered.

To receive reimbursement, students must:

• Submit original receipts and a copy of the conference program
• Complete travel and submit their reimbursement request within 15 days of the conference
• Be enrolled at U of I at the time of travel and reimbursement

Reimbursements are processed after travel is completed.

Recipients of OUR Travel Grants are required to present their work at the U of I Undergraduate Research Symposium, held in April. Recipients are also required to acknowledge support from OUR on their posters or during their presentations. Please see our guidelines for acknowledging OUR support.

The Idaho Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) offers several opportunities for undergraduates to gain hands-on research experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. For more information on ISGC scholarships, fellowships and internships, visit the ISGC website.

The Institute for Health in the Human Ecosystem (IHHE) offers Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) mini-grant awards (and traineeships).

For more information and to apply, visit the IHHE site.

The sustainable chemistry focus of this research experience for undergraduates (REU) site combines a broad cross-section of disciplines attractive to students and critical for future generations and is open to:

• undergraduate students who have completed at least their first year
• will not graduate before the program starts
• who have an interest in sustainability

Participating students from non-research-focused regional community colleges and 4-year institutions may receive preference, but we accept applicants from across the nation. This REU site welcomes a diverse population of applicants from minority and underrepresented groups, including first-generation college students. Underrepresented minority students in science and engineering fields (including women, persons with disabilities, Blacks, Hispanics and American Indians or Alaska Natives) are highly encouraged to apply.

The NSF requires that less than 20% of participants can be from the host institution, so if you are a University of Idaho student, please know that this is extremely competitive for you.

U of I students looking for a site where you will be more competitive are strongly encouraged to check out the NSF REU site list.

Learn more and apply to the Elements of Sustainability 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 the REU program. REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research.

If you have questions, contact undergrad-research@uidaho.edu.

To be a participant in this REU program, you will need to fill out the application. Since this project is federally funded, it is designed for U.S. citizens only. The application asks for a variety of information but is designed to be filled out without much delay. You will need an unofficial transcript from your university and the name and email address of two references from your college/university (Instructor/Professors only. Teaching Assistants will not be accepted). While GPA is not a metric in selection, it is required. In your personal statement please address the following:

• What is your definition of “sustainability”?
• Why are you applying to this specific program?
• What courses have you taken that you believe have influenced your interest in this program and have prepared you? (Math, Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Policy, etc.)
• Have you ever participated in organized research before? When?
• Have you participated in an NSF-funded REU site previously? When? Where?
• Knowing that the program can benefit from diverse voices, can you provide a statement on how diversity matters to you?

Potential projects

Projects range from new allotropes of carbon for improved battery applications, mixed metal recycling, bioremediation, biodegradable bioplastics and renewable composites, bioengineering, PFAS degradation, environmental chemistry and more.

All faculty mentors participating in this program are dedicated to fostering undergraduate research and all have considerable experience mentoring undergraduate students. All have published extensively with undergraduates and understand the value research plays in a student’s career. The faculty mentors have each adapted their research projects to fit the experience levels of their students.

Check out this year's faculty for details on participating mentors and their projects.

Outside of the lab

In addition to your time in the research lab, the REU experience will incorporate core training in responsible conduct in research, ethics and safety alongside career development workshops.

Our program includes several organized after-hours and weekend social activities designed to further enrich your overall experience using locations around town including coffee shops, local parks and hiking trails and U of I's arboretum. Other activities include barbeques and picnics as well as potential weekend outings or science seminar pizza nights — local restaurant hosting “Science on Tap”.

Outside of our organized activities, take advantage of our rural setting and enjoy a wide range of activities. The surrounding mountains and rivers offer numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation and equipment is available for students to rent through our university’s student recreation center at reasonable rental rates. The town of Moscow offers summer residents a weekly farmer’s market, multi-use trails and small music and arts events including the “Screen on the Green” weekly movie night directly outside the Living Learning Center. We will inform REU students of opportunities to integrate into our community.

Living in Moscow

Room and Board — Students participating in this project will be housed in the Living Learning Communities (LLC) on campus. The LLC is designed to provide an environment for residents to connect their academics to their life outside the classroom. The LLC is a themed community designed to provide you with an atmosphere dedicated to academic success, student support and activities geared toward social enrichment. You'll be living alongside other REU students in these suites and be able to interact and thrive as a cohort. The living space also provides kitchenettes for cooking simple meals.

Each student will receive a Vandal ID card and have access to the dining hall for 15 meals a week. Additionally, there is access to nearby grocery stores, markets and convenience stores for quick snacks.

Summer Activities at U of I

To ensure that you are enjoying your time in this REU when not in the lab, we encourage you to participate in other organized activities through U of I and non-U of I groups (Moscow- or Palouse-based).

U of I Activities:

• Student Rec Center — A variety of classes are offered in the summer in addition to a gym membership.
• Screen on the Green — Thursdays in June, July and August, catch a movie on an inflated screen in front of the Theophilus Tower dormitory.
• U of I Golf Course — A beautiful 18-hole course, golf simulator and lessons with PGA instructors.
• U of I Arboretum — Enjoy a walk through our scenic and diverse arboretum on campus.

Other Things to do:

• Palouse Ridge Golf Course
• Jet Boat Tours
• Kamiak Butte County Park
• Moscow Mountain
• Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center
• Palouse Falls State Park
• Moscow Community Events
• Moscow Farmers Market (8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday in May through October)

How do I apply?

Submit your application online. Be sure to read through the application requirements and process before applying.

How long will the experience be?

The experience will be 10 consecutive weeks during the summer. You'll work with your mentor or their lab for 40 hours each week, including a weekly meeting with all participants and program directors.

Can I take a vacation?

No. This is a 10-week, 40-hour-per-week program where you will be paid for your experience. We want you to get the most out of your experience, so please look at the dates and note whether this program is right for you this summer.

What happens if there is a disagreement with my mentor or if I do not like my project?

The Project Investigator(s) (PI) will work with you and your mentor to help scuttle disagreements. Expectations are laid out at the beginning of the program (for both mentors and students) and everyone should be aware of the goals and time required for those goals. If need be, the PIs will step in to ensure you are in a quality research environment or move you to a different lab.

Do I earn money in this experience?

Yes. Students are paid $7200 ($720/week) and are provided with a housing and meal plan.

Where do I live during the experience?

Students will live on campus in the Living and Learning Community. The project pays for you to live here for the 70-day experience — it is part of the experience.