NSF REU - Research Experience for Undergraduates
Undergraduate Research in Sustainable Energy (U-RISE)
The REU site program entitled “Undergraduate Research in Sustainable Energy (URISE)” at the University of Michigan-Dearborn is designed to educate a new generation of engineers and scientists by conducting research in sustainable energy–based electric power systems. Student participants work in teams on research projects with a special emphasis on sustainable energy-related technology and engineering that aim to promote economic efficiency; improve social welfare; reduce energy cost; support plug- and-play of distributed sustainable energy; and improve the capability, adaptability, scalability, resiliency, safety, security, and usability that our nation’s power grid infrastructure can provide.
The program places an emphasis on exposing undergraduates to cutting-edge sustainable energy technology by letting them solve real-world engineering problems together with University of Michigan-Dearborn faculty, graduate students, and local industry mentors.
This REU program is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Unfortunately, we are not running the U-RISE program in the summer of 2023. The program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, and we ran it for the 3 summers as planned. We have requested to continue the program in future summers. Our request is pending, so it would be no earlier than Summer 2024.
REU Program - Summer 2022
Personalized one-to-one mentorship.
Webinars and training.
Professional development webinars.
Interactive workshops.
Journal clubs.
Social events.
Program Goals
To stimulate the students’ interest in pursuing advanced STEM degrees (master and Ph.D.), especially in sustainable energy technology;
To improve the students’ oral and written technical communication skills;
To improve the students’ teamwork and collaboration skills;
To expose undergraduate students to university research and scientific discovery;
To create rich research opportunities and offer hands-on experiences to undergraduates, especially women, minorities, high-performing disadvantaged students, and non-engineering students in 2-year and 4-year colleges;
To disseminate the understanding of sustainable energy in diverse media to reach broader audiences;
To establish long-term collegial relationships between UM-Dearborn faculty, graduate students/undergraduate students, and industry mentors through well-thought-out activities;
To provide UM-Dearborn departments and faculty a unique opportunity for incorporating undergraduate students into their research projects.
Application Open: December 1, 2021
Application Deadline: February 28, 2022
Selection & Decision Queries: March 1 - March 20, 2022
U-RISE Program: June 1 – August 9, 2022
What you need to apply:
Current Resume/CV
Statement of Interest
Copy of Transcripts
2 Reference letters
When you apply - REQUIRED
You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or Permanent Resident.
Currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. post secondary institute or in an undergraduate degree program leading to an associate or a baccalaureate degree.
Currently enrolled with good academic standing in a degree program.
Minimum of 24 credit hours completed.
Able to commit full-time to the 10-week program: No Work or Classes during the 10-week program.
Additional Considerations:
Minimum GPA 3.0 of 4.0 is preferred.
Students from i) a college or university with limited research facilities, ii) community colleges, iii) a underrepresented group, and iv) tribal college or university are highly encouraged to apply.
When you fill out the application
Current Resume/CV (keep it to 2 page max).
A scan of your transcripts.
2 letters of reference (make one from a STEM professor)
Statement of Interests on how participating in this program: i) fits with your career & academic goals; ii) will benefit your future career plans; and iii) will benefit from the diversity of experiences you can contribute to the group.
REU experience in summer 2022
You get paid $5,000 (paid by checks in 3 installments - beginning, middle & end).
Free accommodation during the 10-week training program.
Round-trip travel support.
Domestic conference costs are covered to disseminate the REU research findings.