Federal Funding for Undergraduate Research
Federal Funding for Faculty & Research Teams
Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Program: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Current Solicitation: NSF 23-601
Next REU Site Deadline: August 19, 2026; third Wednesday in August annually thereafter
Research Areas: Any area of research supported by NSF
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports meaningful undergraduate participation in NSF-supported research. The program is designed to integrate research and education while helping students develop research skills and explore pathways to advanced study and STEM careers. REU opportunities may be disciplinary or interdisciplinary and are available across NSF-supported fields.
REU Sites
REU Sites are independently proposed programs that bring together a cohort of undergraduate students for an intensive research experience organized around a common intellectual theme. A Site may involve a single discipline or department or bring together researchers from multiple departments and disciplines. Sites typically combine hands-on research with faculty mentoring and professional-development activities.
REU Supplements
For faculty who already have—or are proposing—NSF-funded research, an REU Supplement may be the easier way to bring undergraduate researchers into the project. Supplemental funding can support one or more undergraduate students conducting research connected to a new or ongoing NSF award. A supplement may be requested as part of a new or renewal NSF proposal or for an existing NSF-funded project.
Good to Know: There is no single annual deadline for REU Supplement requests. Investigators interested in adding an REU Supplement to an existing award should contact the NSF program officer responsible for that award; those planning to include one with a new or renewal proposal should consult the program officer for the relevant NSF program.
Why Consider an REU?
REU funding provides a direct mechanism for faculty to expand undergraduate participation in research while strengthening mentoring, research training, and workforce-development activities. For MSU investigators with existing NSF awards, an REU Supplement is particularly worth considering as a way to extend the impact of an already-funded research project.
Agency: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Program: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Education and Workforce Development (AFRI-EWD)
Program Area: Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU), A7401
Focus: Food, agriculture, natural resources, environment, and related sciences
The Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) program provides undergraduate students with immersive research, Extension, and experiential learning opportunities in the food and agricultural sciences. The goal is to help students develop the knowledge, technical skills, and professional experience needed to enter the agricultural workforce or pursue advanced study and careers in research, education, and Extension.
REEU projects may incorporate research, education, Extension, or integrated activities and can involve universities, laboratories, field stations, community partners, and other appropriate research or Extension settings. Programs are expected to provide substantive, faculty- or professional-mentored experiences rather than simply classroom instruction.
Areas of Interest
Projects may address USDA priority areas including plant health and production; animal health and production; food safety, nutrition and health; bioenergy, natural resources and environment; agricultural systems and technology; and agricultural economics and rural communities.
Why Consider an REEU?
REEU is particularly well suited to MSU's land-grant mission because it can connect research, Extension, education, and workforce development within a single undergraduate experience. Programs can expose students to real-world agricultural challenges while building pathways into graduate education and careers in the food and agricultural sciences.
MSU in Action: Mississippi State already demonstrates the potential of this mechanism. An active USDA-NIFA REEU award at MSU, AI2F: Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates in AI-enabled Industrial Solutions for Forest Products, is supported at $750,000 and runs through 2029.
Good to Know: REEU is offered as a program area within USDA-NIFA's larger AFRI Education and Workforce Development funding opportunity rather than as a separate stand-alone solicitation. Deadlines and specific requirements can change by funding year, so faculty should consult the current AFRI-EWD Notice of Funding Opportunity before developing an application.
Explore USDA-NIFA REEU and AFRI Education & Workforce Development
Agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Primary Mechanisms: R25, T34/TL4, T35, T90/R90 and institute-specific programs
Focus: Biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and health-related research
Deadlines: Vary by mechanism and funding opportunity
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports undergraduate research through several institutional research education and training mechanisms rather than through a single undergraduate research program. Opportunities vary among NIH Institutes and Centers and may support mentored research experiences, summer programs, academic and professional development, research training, and pathways to graduate education and biomedical research careers.
Research Education Programs (R25)
The R25 mechanism supports educational activities that strengthen the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce. Depending on the specific NIH funding opportunity, an R25 program may include undergraduate research experiences, mentoring, skills development, summer research, courses, or other activities designed to encourage and prepare students for research careers. Because R25 programs vary considerably, faculty should review the individual Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligible participants, activities, budgets, and institutional requirements.
Undergraduate Institutional Research Training (T34/TL4)
T34 awards support structured institutional research training programs for undergraduates in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social sciences, particularly in preparation for research doctoral programs. TL4 serves as a linked counterpart to the T34 for certain NIH programs. These are institutional training awards rather than individual student grants and generally require substantial faculty mentoring, research infrastructure, and institutional commitment.
Short-Term and Interdisciplinary Research Training
Additional NIH mechanisms can provide undergraduate opportunities in particular circumstances. T35 awards support short-term research training, often during summer or other academic breaks, while T90/R90 programs may support interdisciplinary research training that includes undergraduate participants. Availability depends on the participating NIH Institute or Center and the specific funding announcement.
Why Consider NIH Undergraduate Training?
For MSU faculty working in health-related fields, NIH mechanisms can support more than a single undergraduate research experience. They can provide a foundation for developing structured pathways that connect undergraduate research, faculty mentoring, skills development, graduate education, and the future biomedical research workforce.
Good to Know: NIH undergraduate opportunities are highly program- and institute-specific. A mechanism such as R25 or T34 describes the type of award, but the individual funding opportunity determines the scientific focus, institutional eligibility, allowable activities, participants, budget, and deadlines. Faculty should search current NIH opportunities and contact the appropriate NIH program official early when considering development of an institutional undergraduate research or training program.
Explore Current Opportunities:
NIH Undergraduate Research & Training Opportunities
- NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE: EDU) — This belongs here because undergraduate students are explicitly the focus of the program. It supports projects that improve STEM learning and generate knowledge about undergraduate STEM education. Even better, NSF confirms that IUSE: EDU awardees can request REU Supplements when the undergraduate research relates to the education research or evaluation in the parent award.
- Department of Defense STEM Education & Workforce Programs — DoD and the military services periodically issue opportunities supporting STEM education, workforce development, and research experiences for college students. For example, Navy STEM programs have explicitly supported opportunities for postsecondary students to work with researchers or conduct education-focused research.
- DoD Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) — I'd include this, but explain the connection carefully. DURIP isn't an undergraduate research program; it funds university research equipment in defense-relevant areas. However, the program specifically requires applicants to address how the equipment will affect the institution's ability to educate students through research. The newly posted FY2027 competition is open to U.S. degree-granting institutions in science, mathematics and engineering.
- DOE Office of Science Workforce Development — I'd include DOE more as a pathway than a traditional faculty grant. DOE's WDTS portfolio connects undergraduate students and faculty with the national laboratories through research internships and faculty appointments. DOE reports roughly 4,000 undergraduate interns annually across its laboratory-based STEM training activities.
Undergraduate research can also be incorporated into broader federal research proposals. Depending on the solicitation, agencies may allow undergraduate researchers to participate as project personnel or trainees, or as part of education, mentoring, workforce-development, or broader-impact activities. Faculty should review individual funding opportunities carefully and consider undergraduate participation during the early stages of proposal development.
Federally Supported Opportunities for MSU Students
Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science
Program: Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
Experience: Paid research internship at a participating DOE national laboratory
Duration: 10 weeks in summer; 16 weeks during fall or spring semesters
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program provides undergraduate students and recent graduates with hands-on research experiences at participating Department of Energy national laboratories and facilities. Students work under the guidance of laboratory scientists and engineers on research connected to DOE's science and energy missions.
Research opportunities span a wide range of fields, including energy, physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, environmental science, engineering, computing, artificial intelligence, and other STEM disciplines.
What Students Receive:
Selected participants receive a weekly stipend and may qualify for additional travel or housing assistance. Students also gain experience working in a national laboratory environment with access to specialized facilities, instrumentation, and research teams.
Who Should Consider SULI?
SULI is particularly valuable for students interested in graduate school, scientific research, engineering, energy, computing, or careers within the federal laboratory system.
Applications are accepted for summer, fall, and spring terms, with separate application cycles and deadlines.
NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Program: Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Experience: Paid summer research experience
Location: NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Boulder, Colorado
The NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to conduct research alongside NIST scientists and engineers. Participants contribute to research projects while gaining hands-on experience in a federal research laboratory.
Research areas may include engineering, computing, cybersecurity, materials science, chemistry, physics, communications technology, manufacturing, and other fields connected to NIST's mission.
What Students Receive:
SURF participants receive financial support for their summer research experience and work directly with NIST researchers on projects using advanced scientific facilities, equipment, and technologies.
Who Should Consider SURF?
The program is especially valuable for students considering graduate education, research careers, engineering, computing, or employment in federal science and technology organizations.
Because program details and available research areas may vary by year and NIST location, students should review the current SURF announcement carefully for eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines.
Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Program: Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship
Opportunity: Scholarship + paid summer internship
Focus: NOAA-related science, technology, policy, education, and resource management
The NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship provides eligible undergraduate students with financial support and a paid summer internship at a NOAA facility.
The program is designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, education, and related fields while preparing students for careers in NOAA mission areas.
What Students Receive:
Hollings Scholars can receive up to $9,500 per academic year for two years of undergraduate study, along with a 10-week paid summer internship at a NOAA facility. Students may also receive travel support to participate in the internship and present their research at NOAA's annual Science and Education Symposium.
Who Should Consider Hollings?
The program is a strong option for students interested in areas such as meteorology, climate, marine and coastal science, fisheries, environmental science, engineering, remote sensing, data science, natural resources, policy, and science communication.
Students generally apply during their sophomore year at an accredited U.S. institution.
Agency: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
Program: Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service
Opportunity: Scholarship + internships + employment pathway
Focus: STEM disciplines important to national defense
The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program provides STEM students with financial support for their education while creating a direct pathway to civilian research and technical careers within the Department of Defense.
SMART Scholars are matched with a sponsoring DoD facility where they complete summer internships and, after graduation, begin civilian employment.
What Students Receive:
SMART can provide full tuition, an annual stipend, summer internships, health and book allowances, and professional mentoring. In return, scholars commit to working as civilian employees at their sponsoring DoD facility following graduation for a period corresponding to the length of their scholarship support.
Who Should Consider SMART?
SMART supports students in designated STEM disciplines, including many areas of engineering, computer and information sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, and other technical fields.
The program is particularly valuable for students who want to combine research or technical work with a clearly defined pathway into a federal STEM career.
Good to Know: Because SMART is a scholarship-for-service program, students should carefully consider the post-graduation employment commitment when deciding whether the program is right for them.
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Opportunities: Internships, research experiences, fellowships, and Space Grant programs
Focus: STEM, aeronautics, space science, Earth science, technology, and related fields
NASA offers undergraduate students multiple pathways to participate in research and gain experience within the nation's space and aeronautics enterprise. Opportunities range from internships at NASA centers and facilities to university-based research and education programs supported through NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.
NASA internships allow students to work alongside scientists, engineers, researchers, and other professionals on projects supporting NASA missions. Opportunities extend beyond aerospace engineering and may include computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics, Earth and environmental science, physics, chemistry, materials, data science, communications, and other disciplines.
Mississippi Space Grant Consortium:
MSU students should also explore opportunities available through the Mississippi Space Grant Consortium, which supports NASA-related education, research, workforce development, scholarships, fellowships, and student experiences within Mississippi.
Who Should Consider NASA Opportunities?
Students interested in research, graduate education, aerospace, engineering, science, computing, technology, Earth systems, or careers within NASA and the broader aerospace sector should explore available opportunities.
NASA programs and application cycles vary throughout the year, so students should check current opportunities and deadlines regularly.