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Summer Research Programs at BYU

REU/RET/FRI Programs

The BYU Department of Physics and Astronomy runs the following three summer research programs at our campus in Provo, Utah. To apply, click on the application links below.

  • REU, Research Experience for Undergraduates - This is an NSF-funded program for undergraduate students. NSF funding restricts the program to US citizens and permanent residents. 
  • RET, Research Experience for Teachers - This is an NSF-funded program for secondary school teachers. NSF funding restricts the program to US citizens and permanent residents.
  • FRI, Fletcher Research Internship - This is a BYU-funded program for undergraduate students, with an emphasis on students with serious interest in BYU for graduate school. It does not have the same citizenship/residency restriction as the NSF-funded programs--international students currently enrolled in U.S. universities are welcome to apply. See the eligibility section below. 

The REU and FRI programs share a common application, and students are welcome to apply to both programs using the same form if applicable/eligible.

All three programs will run from Jun 2, 2025 - Aug 8, 2025. For full consideration, applications and recommendation letters are due Tues, Feb 4, 2025. 

All three offer the same exciting opportunities in a number of areas including optics, computer modeling, solid state materials and thin film science, acoustics, particle theory, quantum information, physics/astronomy education research, and galactic, stellar, and planetary astronomy. See the Projects tab for specific information on the faculty mentors and proposed research projects. 

Information

REU and FRI: Undergraduate participants will receive a $7,000* salary stipend, a small additional "settling-in" stipend to help with initial costs, and free housing & round-trip travel expenses to Provo for non-BYU students. In addition, after the program is over, selected students will be funded to travel to a regional or national conference to give a presentation on their research results.

*FRI participants and BYU students who are selected for the REU program will be funded as student employees rather than through stipend with pay rate to give an equivalent amount.

RET: Teachers will be compensated at the same rate they get for teaching for a 10-week period during the academic year (to the extent that our budget permits). RET participants who live outside the immediate area will also receive a $1,500 stipend to assist with housing for the duration of the program. See the RET tab above for more details on RET-specific aspects of the program.

We will be holding an informational zoom seminar on Wed Jan 15 at 6 pm MST. Here is a link for you to use to join on that day: https://byu.zoom.us/j/91016132449?pwd=W0yfvLdC93sadEvbFLNfUyQ3zlbiBA.1

In the meantime, here is a similar zoom seminar we held on Jan 24, 2024. It was specifically about the 2024 REU and RET programs, but most of the details will be the same for the 2025 REU, RET, and FRI programs. 

Applications

Applications for summer 2025 are now open!

Students: Click here to apply for REU and FRI

Teachers: Click here to apply for RET

Applications and reference letters must be received by 11:59 pm MST on Tues, February 4, 2025, to receive full consideration. Click on the menu links above for more information, and the buttons above to apply online. We are especially interested in applicants from groups who are underrepresented in physics or who come from schools  with limited research opportunities. The application will ask you for the following, so you might want to have this information handy (not a complete list):

  • Your GPA and your major GPA
  • A list of the physics and math courses you have taken/are taking, with grades (we don't require an official transcript)
  • Your top four choices of advisors, and why you are interested in their projects (see the Projects tab for details on available advisors)
  • A short paragraph on how participating in the BYU summer research program will help further your academic and career goals
  • A short paragraph on what attracts you to our BYU program(s) in particular
  • For FRI applicants--A short paragraph on what attracts you to the BYU graduate program and why you are considering coming to BYU for graduate school
  • A short paragraph on how you can contribute in making this BYU REU summer experience an inclusive, interesting, and collaborative adventure for all
  • A one page resume to upload with your application
  • Contact information (email addresses) for at least two individuals who will write letters of recommendation for you

Timeline of Offers

The various physics and astronomy REU programs have agreed on the following common dates for notifying students of offers; we'll follow this with the REU and FRI programs. The RET offers may be slightly delayed from this schedule.

  • Mar 3, 2025 - First batch of offer letters sent out
  • Mar 10, 2025 - Request first batch of students to notify us of their decisions
  • Mar 10, 2025 - Additional offer letters sent out as needed
  • Early April (roughly) - Last offer letters sent out

Eligibility

Undergraduates in the REU and FRI programs must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university and must have at least one semester to complete after the REU/FRI program is over. Students also must agree to the Code of Conduct and the BYU Honor Code. Students are generally placed in BYU-sponsored housing paid for by the REU program; placement in this housing also involves students being accepted as "visiting students" which requires a 2.5 GPA, no criminal history, being enrolled in research credits (paid for by the REU program), and receiving an "ecclesiastical endorsement" after acceptance to the program. FRI students must be accepted as visiting students regardless of the housing situation. 

The ecclesiastical endorsement involves a two-part interview with ecclesiastical leaders after being accepted into the program, to verify the student understands and agrees to the expectations of the BYU Honor Code. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (our sponsoring church) meet with their own local bishop and then their stake president. Students who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can meet either with their own ecclesiastical leader or their university chaplain for their first interview; then the BYU chaplain for the second interview (typically over phone). We encourage all applicants, both members and non-members of our sponsoring Church, who have questions about the ecclesiastical endorsement process, to contact us; see the "Contact Us" tab.

Teachers in the RET program must be currently employed as a secondary school teacher. NSF requires that all participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. RET participants must also agree to the Code of Conduct and the BYU Honor Code.

International students currently enrolled in U.S. universities who do not have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status are not eligible for the REU program, but can still apply for the FRI program. A CPT that will allow you to work outside of your home/sponsored US university is required, as well as permission from your university. Please check with your current ISSS office to see if you are eligible. 

You are welcome to contact us to describe your specific situation if you have any  other questions about eligibility; see the "Contact Us" tab.