Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Internship Program

Application Process

Required Materials:
1. Completed online application form (16 steps)
2. Resume (PDF, DOC, or DOCX format; max 15 MB) - Name file as: Lastname-Firstname-Resume
3. Personal Statement (PDF, DOC, or DOCX format; max 15 MB) - Name file as: Lastname-Firstname-Statement
4. Unofficial Transcripts (PDF, DOC, or DOCX format; max 15 MB) - Name file as: Lastname-Firstname-Transcripts
5. Two (2) letters of recommendation - References must submit directly to reuinternship@danforthcenter.org

Application Form Sections (16 steps):

1. Contact Information
- First and last name (required)
- Email and alternate email (required)
- Phone number (required)

2. School Address
- School address (required)
- School city, state, zip, country

3. Permanent Address
- Permanent address (required)
- City, state, zip, country

4. Residency & Work Authorization
- Legal authorization to work in the US (required)
- Note: Federal grant restrictions prevent funding for non-citizens/non-permanent residents

5. Availability
- Availability for May 26, 2026 – July 31, 2026 program dates (required)
- Option to explain alternative availability

6. Housing
- Indicate if local housing available or if housing assistance needed

7. REU Experience & Prior Application (Informational only)
- Previous NSF REU-funded internship experience
- Whether applicant has applied to program before

8. Demographics (Informational only)
- Gender (Female, Male, Other, Prefer not to answer)
- First-generation college student status
- Veteran status

9. Current School & Academic Information
- School type (Semesters, Quarters, Trimester, or Block system)
- Academic department (required)
- Major (required)
- Minor/Specialization
- GPA (required) - enter 0-100 scale
- GPA scale (required) - specify what scale (e.g., 4.0)
- Date of entry into college (month/year) (required)
- Current classification/class standing as of May 1, 2026 (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) (required)
- Expected graduation date (month/year) (required)

10. Laboratory Skills
- Brief list of laboratory skills (900 character limit)

11. Labs of Interest
- Indicate which labs most interest applicant
- Note: Not all labs participate each summer; final placement based on lab needs and intern interests

12. New Roots for Restoration (NRR)
- Interest in participating in NRR Biology Integration Institute (BII)
- Options: Yes, No, Maybe - I'd like to know more

13. Academic Experience
- List most relevant courses and grades (note "IP" if in progress)
- Up to 10 rows for courses
- Highlight courses directly related to major/internship program

14. How Did You Hear About Us?
- Multiple selection options:
- Danforth Center Website
- Internet Search/Other Website
- Flyer
- Social Media
- Previous program participant
- Professor
- Recruiting Visit/Recruiting fair
- Other (with comment field)

15. Accommodations
- State any accommodations needed to succeed in program

16. Requirements & Eligibility Acknowledgements
- Confirmation of understanding:
- General program requirements (40 hours/week, no vacations except official holidays, full 10-week commitment, research paper, symposium presentation)
- Eligibility requirements (undergraduate enrollment, work authorization, major field, coursework, 40 hours/week commitment, no reapplication after participation)
- Acknowledgement that any change in eligibility status during application/selection process must be reported immediately, resulting in application withdrawal

Submission:

All materials and 2 letters of recommendation must be submitted to be considered

Confirmation screen appears after submission

Applicants should save a copy for their records

Contact reuinternship@danforthcenter.org for submission problems

Selection Process:

After all applications received and reviewed, a pool of candidates is selected

Interns are then assigned to labs based on lab needs and intern interests

Perfect matches and specific lab placements cannot always be guaranteed