Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Supplemental Funding in Computer and Information Science and Engineering

NSF 24-048

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) invites grantees with active CISE awards to submit requests for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Supplements, following the guidelines in the REU Sites and Supplements solicitation. CISE also invites grantees with active CISE awards to submit requests for Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Supplements, following the guidelines in the RET in Engineering and Computer Science: Sites and Supplements solicitation. Requests will be considered as they are received. CISE strongly encourages the submission of requests before March 31st, each year; as the potential for funding requests after this date may be limited.

CISE strongly encourages the participation of students and teachers who reflect the full spectrum of diverse talent in STEM, including those from groups historically underrepresented in CISE fields. CISE encourages submission of REU and RET supplemental funding requests that specifically afford US veterans an opportunity to engage in meaningful research experiences.

REU SUPPLEMENTS

REU supplements help undergraduate students engage in meaningful research experiences in pursuit of their educational and career goals. To be eligible for this opportunity, a student must be a US citizen, US national or permanent resident of the US.

RET SUPPLEMENTS

RET supplements help K-14 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers engage in meaningful research experiences and translate the knowledge gained into their teaching practices. The focus of their research should be in CISE disciplines rather than on education or curriculum development. Teachers who receive funding from an RET supplement must be currently teaching a STEM subject at their schools. CISE is particularly interested in RET supplements that target K-14 computer science teachers. Since a major goal of a RET activity is to create a bond between the K-14 schools and the host college or university, recruitment of RET teachers should focus on schools or school districts reasonably close to the host institutions.

NATURE OF SUPPORT

For single-investigator projects, CISE REU and RET supplemental funding requests are normally for up to two students or two teachers, respectively, for one year. However, exceptions will be considered for training additional qualified teachers or students who are members of underrepresented groups. Research teams funded through multi-investigator projects may request support for a larger number of students or teachers, commensurate with the size and nature of their projects.

CISE provides up to $10,000 per student per year through an REU supplement. This amount usually covers the student's stipend, but a small portion of the funds can be used for other related purposes, e.g., student travel to a conference. As described in the REU program solicitation, indirect costs (F&A) are not allowed on participant support costs in REU Site or Supplement budgets.

CISE provides up to $15,000 per K-14 STEM teacher per year through a RET supplement. RET teachers normally spend 6-7 weeks in the summer conducting research activities in the lab of the host Principal Investigator (PI). As part of these activities, a RET teacher should develop one or more related classroom modules to share the research with his/her K-14 classroom. The budget includes a weekly summer stipend for the teacher (normally around $1,800 per week); up to $2,000 for materials, equipment, and other supplies for the teacher to develop and implement related modules in the K-14 classroom; and possible funding to attend a related disciplinary conference. These costs are listed as participant support costs, and indirect costs (F&A) are not allowed on participant support costs in RET Site or Supplement budgets.

CISE REU and RET supplemental funding requests must describe results of any previous such support, such as students and teachers supported, papers published, K-14 classroom modules developed, and student placements. Other factors influencing supplemental funding decisions include the number of REU and RET supplement requests received by CISE programs, and in the case of multiple submissions by a single PI, the ability to provide adequate mentoring.

Existing REU/RET supplemental funding for an award must be exhausted before additional funding can be requested as a supplement on that award. Please note that REU supplemental funding can be used to support students anytime during the academic year as well as summer, while RET supplements should be used only for summer programs. Annual and final project reports for an award that receives an REU or RET supplement should provide brief descriptions of activities, impacts, and outcomes (including the number of support-months for each student or teacher) associated with the REU or RET supplemental support.

CISE provides up to $10,000 per student per year through an REU supplement.

Please contact the program director.

PIs are encouraged to refer to the REU program solicitation and the RET program solicitation for detailed information concerning submission requirements. 

Dilma Da Silva
Acting Assistant Director
Computer and Information Science and Engineering