RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU)
DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
How to apply
REALM PROGRAM DETAILS
The 2026 program will run from May 26 to July 31, 2026
- You receive a stipend of $6000 (distributed in 3 payments). These funds are considered a scholarship / fellowship and could be taxable, depending on your overall tax situation.
- Travel to/from Salt Lake City is covered up to $1000.
- We provide housing: in modern, furnished campus apartments. Each student has a private, locking bedroom in an apartment that includes a full kitchen. Additional options are available when needed. Costs for certain situations could fall to the participant, such as costs related to housing for family members, because that is outside the scope of our funding.
Additional housing details can be found Benchmark Apartment information
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for this research opportunity you must be:
- a US citizen, US national, or US permanent resident
- enrolled as an undergraduate in a degree program leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree
- most accepted applicants will have a minimum grade point average of 2.75
- Non-US students and graduating seniors are not eligible for this program
SEE WHAT REALM ALUMNI HAVE SAID ABOUT THE PROGRAM (Opens as PDF)
Summer 2026 Realm
Deadline: February 14, 2026 (midnight Mountain time)
APPLICATION
Application Process:
- Complete the form
- Upload official transcripts
- Submit one reference for the letter of recommendation
Letter of Recommendation
Each applicant is required to submit one letter of recommendation. The recommender will be notified automatically by email once the application has been submitted. The deadline for letter submission is February 21, 2026.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Eligibility
- What does it mean to be enrolled in a degree program? Do you mean taking classes during
the summer?
You may not graduate before participating in the program; therefore, the earliest you could plan to graduate is December 2026 if you intend to participate in summer 2026. However, there is one exception: you may graduate with an associate (two-year) degree and still participate, provided that you are enrolled for fall 2026 to continue toward a four-year undergraduate degree.
- Do I need to / can I take classes during the summer?
Taking classes during the REU is strongly discouraged. One of the main purposes of participating in an REU is to experience what a career in research is like. It is essentially a full-time job and is mentally demanding. You will be learning new research skills and gaining substantial knowledge about your specific research topic.