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The REU Site: Center for Early Research Experiences in Functional Materials at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) offers mentored research opportunities and professional development to ten undergraduate students each year during a 10-week summer program. Participants receive a stipend of $700 per week. A limited amount of on-campus housing is available for students that are unable to commute to the site. The program focuses on students from two- and four-year institutions in Central New England who have little to no prior research experience.

Participants will engage in interdisciplinary projects, working closely with faculty and graduate student mentors who specialize in areas such as materials for flexible and wearable electronics, sustainable photovoltaics, and responsive biomaterials for robotics and therapeutic applications. These projects are designed to foster collaboration between students with different academic backgrounds, with two students from different academic majors collaborating on each project, co-mentored by faculty and graduate students from different departments.

In addition to research, the program includes a comprehensive series of professional development seminars aimed at preparing students for the modern workforce and introducing them to the complex challenges within the field of functional materials. REU students will also develop teaching modules on materials science, which they will share with local high school students.

Students will present the results of their research at the WPI Summer Research Showcase during the final week of the program and, where appropriate, at scholarly venues and conferences. In particular, all students will be encouraged to apply to present at the MRS Fall Meeting in Boston. This provides students with the opportunity to disseminate their research findings, practice their presentation skills, and expand their professional networks.

Note: Participants must be available to participate in the full 10 weeks of the program. Due to the structure of our program, we are unable to accommodate late starts.

On this webpage, you can find more information about the site, including: Examples of the types of research projects that REU Participants undertake at WPI; eligibility information; contact information for the site directors; and the application portal. Undergraduate students from across the STEM fields are encouraged to apply. All applications are handled electronically through the application portal.