Providing students with opportunities to conduct cutting edge research in ecology for 34 years.
Applications accepted until midnight EST Friday January 29, 2021.
The Cary REU program trains a new generation of environmental scientists to advance and translate ecology - science for the future of the planet - through research, application, communication and education.
Cary REU students design and carry out independent research projects in ecology, with the support of mentors, fellow students and the rich Institute community of scientists and educators. Science and translational ecology skills are built in workshops, seminars, panel discussions and working on short, authentic communication and teaching activities.
Our alumni report that their Cary REU experience was instrumental in their career success, whether it be in academic ecology as professors or research scientists, in environmental management or consulting, in ecology education, or in other fields. Cary REU students contribute to the mission of the Institute through their research, with most writing papers for the Cary Undergraduate Ecology Research Reports online publication, and many co-authoring peer-reviewed articles based on their work.
The Cary Translational Ecology REU program weaves together activities in 3 strands:
Pairs of students will join teams of 2 or more mentors to conduct individual research projects of their own design in collaboration with their research team.
Workshops, tutorials and seminars in team building and collaboration, writing, data discovery, analysis and synthesis, research skills, ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
Workshops, discussions and authentic assignments in communication, teaching, and putting ecology into societal contexts.
Students spend approximately 80% of their time on the independent research strand, with the balance of time spent on activities for the professional development and translational ecology strands. More details about the 2021 Cary REU Program activities can be found here. The 2020 Cary REU Student Handbook provides additional information about the program.
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cary REU program in 2021 will be either hybrid or 100% virtual. Our goal is to decide which model we will follow by the end of March 2021, at the same time the 2021 cohort of participants is being finalized.
Students in the 2021 program will receive the following:
Participation stipend
$5,500 (10 weeks @ $550/week)
Room and board
Travel
Full cost of travel will be covered by the program for travel:
Research expenses
A pool of funds averaging $300/student is available for research expenses. REU students request the funds they need from this pool in their research proposal, and funds are distributed on a pro-rated basis if more is requested than is available in the pool. Mentors sometimes can provide additional research funds if needed and available.
Acknowledging support for the 2021 Cary REU Program