A complete application requires the following:

1. Completion of the online application form
2. One letter of recommendation sent directly from the faculty
3. Your current academic transcript (unofficial transcripts can be emailed)

Please send your application materials by email to biophysics-reu@umich.edu or
by mail to:

Sara Grosky - REU Program
University of Michigan Biophysics Program
4028 Chemistry Building
930 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Information about the U-M REU Biophysics Program

The University of Michigan Biophysics Summer Research for Undergraduates Program (REU) provides selected undergraduate students from around the United States an opportunity to conduct ten weeks of summer research with some of the country's leading biophysicists. The program is conducted in concert with the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program and is supported by funds from the National Science Foundation. REU students have the opportunity to participate in a biophysics laboratory utilizing various techniques such as x-ray crystallography and NMR.

The Biophysics Program at the University of Michigan is one of very few standalone biophysics programs in the US and has a long tradition of interdisciplinary research. Since Biophysics is extremely intellectually diverse, our aim is not only to provide research experience in a subfield of the discipline, but to also provide an overview of state-of-the-art research in the field, and the experimental and theoretical/computational methods and techniques that are commonly used.

The research experience has been constructed to have two components:

1. Students will be assigned to the labs that match their interest and are run by experienced researchers to participate in innovative scientific exploration.
2. Students will participate in hands-on exploration of biophysical methods and techniques (HEBMAT), which will introduce them to various modern experimental and computational research techniques. 

Upon completion of the program, students will have gained exciting research experience and will have acquired a biophysical toolkit making them more successful and competitive in the scientific and academic environment. This core experience will be augmented by weekly research seminars and workshops, plus opportunities for social interactions, which will often be coordinated with other summer undergraduate research programs to broaden our students’ integration into our scientific and professional communities.

Students who are selected to participate in the program will receive:

• A stipend of $5,000
• Reimbursement of travel expenses, up to $500
• Housing in a university residence hall
• Access to world-class research facilities
• One-on-one instruction from internationally-recognized faculty

Q.) What if I’m a US permanent-resident?

A.) Per NSF guidelines, permanent resident students are now eligible to apply.

Q.) I’m a freshman but I feel I have enough knowledge/experience. Can I apply?

A.) Our program is designed for students who have completed their sophomore or junior years. You are welcome to apply, but we must give preference to students entering their third or fourth year.

Q.) What if I’m a senior and will graduate before the program starts?

A.) Sorry, graduated seniors are no longer eligible.

Q.) I applied a couple of weeks ago but I still haven’t heard anything. Did you get my application?

A.) Due to the sheer volume of applicants, we are not in the habit of notifying students about receiving their materials.

Q.) I filled out the application page but received an error message when I tried to submit. What should I do?

A.) Save your completed application as a webpage, word document, PDF, or text file, and send it to us via email attachment to biophysics.reu@umich.edu . You can also print and fax your application to 734.764.3323.

Q.) One of the professors writing a letter of recommendation for me is out of the country and won’t be back until after the deadline. What should I do?

A.) Please ask the professor to mail, email, or fax us the letter as close to the deadline as possible.

Q.) My school does not let out until after the start date of your program. Can I still apply?

A.) The start and end dates to our program are somewhat flexible (within reason). Feel free to apply, making a note of your availability in the personal statement.

Q.) When can I expect to hear from you?

A.) We begin to send out notifications a couple of weeks after the application deadline. Your patience is appreciated.

If your question (or a reasonable facsimile of it) was not answered on this page, feel free to call us at 734.763.6722 or email us at biophysics.reu@umich.edu . Please note that phone calls will typically receive a much faster response.

Q.) When do I get reimbursed for my travel expenses?

A.) After the REU program orientation, the REU coordinator will begin processing your travel reimbursements.

Q.) When do I get paid?

A.) Your stipend will come in two installments: the first you pick up on your first day (after orientation) and you will be able to pick up the second and final installment in mid-July.

Q.) How do I get on the UM wireless?

A.) Guests should be able to connect to the MGuest Wireless Network. Use a web browser to enter your email at the welcome page to gain access. Click here for more information.

Q.) What if I'm not feeling well, is there a doctor or clinic I can visit?

A.) As a visiting student here at UM, you can visit UHS (University Health Services) should you need to see a medical doctor (it is assumed that you have insurance coverage through your parents--you may be asked to provide proof of insurance). Click here for more information about UHS.