NAU Astronomy REU Program

Program Eligibility

In order to be eligible, students must be:

1. citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions AND
2. be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.

Students graduating prior to the start of the summer program are not eligible.

We particularly encourage the applications of women and under-represented minorities.

Program Application Information

The NSF ETAP (Education and Training Application) will require the following from you:

• Personal Statement
• CV/Resume
• Transcripts
• 2 Academic Professional References Required

In your personal statement please describe;

(1) your experience, research interests and career goals.

(2) why are you interested in the NAU REU program in particular.

(3) your computer experience.

As part of the NSF ETAP (Education and Training Application) you will provide the name and e-mail address for at least two academic references. The system will then send an e-mail to those persons; the e-mail will contain a secure link with which the person will submit the reference online.

You must also provide a transcript of your undergraduate work, and the file must be converted to a PDF, if it is in another format. We require a digitized PDF copy, even if the copy is unofficial.

Please make sure your CV/Resume is also converted to a PDF, if it is in another format.

Program Deadlines

Deadlines for our Summer 2025 Program.

• Application Opens on December 1, 2024.
• Application Closes on February 1, 2025.

Student Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How are the participants selected?

A: Each mentor chooses their own student. Mentors read as many of the applications as they wish, and submit a ranked list of acceptable students to Dr. Trilling, who then juggles these lists and makes the actual offers to students.

Q: How many students are selected into the program?

A: The NAU REU program anticipates selecting around 10 interns for our summer program.

Q: Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

A: Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its possessions per NSF requirements.

Q: How do I contact the NAU REU program directly?

A: Send correspondence to reu@nau.edu.

Q: What is the deadline for applications?

A: Please click the previous tab for updated dates/deadlines for our program.

Q: Do you require official transcripts?

A: You can provide an official or unofficial copy of your transcripts that is in digitized format (pdf). Your transcripts are uploaded to your application directly.

Q: Do I need to have previous research experience in order to apply to this program?

A: No previous research experience is required.

Q: What types of computer skills are required?

A: Computer programming skills are important for most internships, however, specific languages and skills are unique to each research project and mentor, and that information is not known in advance of the application process.

Q: When are acceptance notices sent out?

A: We will begin contacting successful applicants in early March but it can take several weeks before the acceptance list is finalized.

If you have not heard from us during the first two weeks of March, it is likely that you are not on the initial offer list. All applicants will receive an email regarding our decision by the of March to early April.

Q: My school is on the quarter system, and I won’t be finished with my final exams until after your REU program starts. Is it still possible for me to participate?

A: In most cases the answer is yes. We really prefer all the students to start at the same time, but we often make exceptions. The only real problem is housing; the program dates are based on the NAU ten-week summer session, and the dorms close down at the end of that session. Some students have been able to arrange alternate housing and stay in Flagstaff for a longer time. Some students have been able to make up the missing week of work by working on weekends. Generally, these arrangements are made between the student and the mentor.

Q: I am married and wish to bring my spouse along. Is different housing available?

A: Yes, it is easy to bring a spouse. NAU has married student housing, although generally in the summer there are no apartments available. Typically, a regular dormitory will be set aside for couple/family housing. In this case, the program would contribute the cost of “normal” housing towards your housing bill. For more information on housing, see the web page for NAU’s Residence Life.

Program Alumni and Past Projects

Astronomy REU Alumni

Dr. David E. Trilling
Program Director
NAU/Astronomy and Planetary Science REU Program
Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science
Email: David.Trilling@nau.edu
Phone: (928) 523-5505