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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.

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. To apply, click on the relevant application link.

Students: Click here to apply for REU and FRI

Teachers: Click here to apply for RET

  • 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 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 held an hour-long informational zoom seminar about the three programs on Jan 15, 2025 in which we gave a presentation and answered many questions from prospective participants. Here is the recording for those to whom it would be helpful.

Applications

Applications and reference letters must be received by 11:59 pm MST on Tues, February 4, 2025, to receive full consideration. 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

Because the REU and RET programs are funded by the National Science Foundation, REU and RET applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. FRI applicants do not have that same citizenship requirement; however FRI applicants must have a CPT that allows for working outside of your home/sponsored US university, as well as permission from your university to do so. Please check with your current ISSS office to see if you are eligible. 

All applicants (REU, FRI, and RET) must also agree to the Code of Conduct and the BYU Honor Code. Although BYU is a religiously-affiliated university, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we welcome students of all faiths or no faith at all! Religion is not used at all in the admissions process and there is no requirement to participate in any religious activities while here. 

Students applying to the REU and FRI programs must be currently enrolled as undergraduates at an accredited U.S. college or university and must have at least one semester to complete after the REU/FRI program is over. 

Teachers in the RET program must be currently employed as secondary school teachers. 

Students are generally placed in BYU-sponsored housing paid for by the REU program; to be placed in this housing, students admitted to the REU and FRI programs must also be formally accepted by BYU as "visiting students". This requires a 2.5 GPA, no criminal history, being enrolled in research credits (paid for by the REU program), and having a formal two-step interview in which you agree to abide BYU's Honor Code. See the Honor Code tab for more information. FRI students must be accepted as visiting students regardless of the housing situation. 

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