Summer Research Opportunities - 2026 coming soon!
Undergraduate* students are invited to apply for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program with the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research project. Our REU program begins in early June and concludes in early August. It includes work on a focal research project, help with our long-term sampling initiatives, and occasional professional development sessions. It will also provide you with the opportunity to be part of the vibrant research community at UVA’s Coastal Research Center in Oyster, VA. These are paid, mentored research opportunities, and housing is provided. Participants receive a $6,000 stipend for the 10-week program.
Applications are due by February 15th at midnight.
*To be eligible for this program, you must have at least one semester of undergraduate studies remaining after the summer you participate. Only US citizens are eligible for this federally funded research program.
We aim to extend offers for participation in early March.
>> Click here to apply. (COMING SOON) <<
Projects available for 2026:
COMING SOON - check back in late December 2025!
Guidance for preparing your application:
- You will be asked for basic background and demographic information.
- Share information about your prior research experience (if any), how you have handled failure, and other important context about your academic or life experience (500 words maximum per prompt).
- Successful applications often include
- Explanations for your interest in a project (and what you led you to those interests).
- Justification for why now is a good time in your academic studies to complete this research program - what prior experience are you building upon, and what new experience do you hope it will help you gain? What will help you be successful in this program? How will it help you along your career path towards other goals? How would participation be formative for you?
- Context that helps us understand your fit for this program or how you have addressed challenges that might have arisen in the past (e.g. that impacted your GPA).