FAQ - General

  1. How much is the stipend?
    The stipend is $5,000 given incrementally throughout the 10 weeks. You will be provided free housing and a comprehensive meal plan on campus.


  2. When do I find out if I am accepted?
    Applicants will be notified before May 1.


  3. When do I find out what projects I will be working on?
    REU students, faculty, and projects are closely matched after participants have been accepted. The REU participant will be notified of this match as soon as possible. Each student's major, research preference, and experience are taken into careful consideration regarding project match.


  4. What will I be doing during the 10 weeks?
    You will be working on your research project with your faculty mentor, attending our weekly REU seminar series, and interacting with other summer science research students in other programs formally and informally, such as on field trips and special events/symposia.You will be working on your research project with your faculty mentor, attending our weekly REU seminar series, and interacting with other summer science research students in other programs formally and informally, such as on field trips and special events/symposia.


  5. What are the application requirements?
    Prospective REU participants must complete the REU application, downloadable from the web, forward all updated official college transcripts as well as two letters of recommendation. No prior research experience is required. Participating students need to be enrolled in an accredited U.S. university or college and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. We will give preference to rising seniors and juniors, but freshmen and sophomores will also be considered if they have a strong record. High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate. The applicants need to have a solid mathematical background, which includes calculus and knowledge of basic algorithms and data structures. They also need to be proficient in C++ or Java.


  6. Can a permanent resident applicant apply for your program?
    No, if you are still in a process for a permanent resident, you are not qulified to apply.


  7. If I have a working permit, can I apply for your program?
    No, participating students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.


  8. I am an international student. I understand that participating students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. May I know if international students could take advantage of the REU program at University of Houston while not taking stipend?
    In general, we don't accept foreign students into the program. If a student's current university is willing to sponsor the student by paying for the expenses, we may make an exception.


  9. I have a bachelor degree and have decided to switch my career path to computer science. Can I apply for your program?
    No, any student who has an undergraduate degree already is not eligible for the summer REU program.

Acknowledgement: This project is sponsored by NSF under awards NSF-0453498, NSF-0755500, NSF-1062954, NSF-1359199 and NSF-1659755. Special thanks to the following UH offices for providing financial support to the project: Department of Computer Science; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies; VP for Research; and the Provost's Office. The University of Houston is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Women and underrepresented minority students are strongly encouraged to apply.