Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs are designed to allow undergraduate students to participate in research-related activities where participants actively engage in the research process but are not required to produce deliverables for a particular research grant.
The Graduate College processes REU fellowship appointments for undergraduate students for research experience, but only if that research experience meets the REU fellowship requirements listed below. Other research related work performed by undergrads would be administered by departments or other units as student hourly appointments.
REU Fellowship Requirements
- Awarded to undergraduate students (enrolled at the University of Illinois or another institution)
- Primarily educational in nature
- Project should be well-defined and provide an introduction to the graduate research experience
- Participants should “get more than they give”; i.e., not simply hourly pay for research assistance
- Any costs associated with the research should be provided by the program as determined by REU department / unit (i.e., lab materials, access to lab facilities, etc.)
- Program should include a well-defined beginning and end
REU Fellowship Process
The REU hosting unit or department is responsible for all elements of the program, including advertising, participant selection and notification, ensuring participants have proof of insurance, lab safety training, participant completion of any "acknowledgement of risk" forms, mentor assignment, orientation, professional development, and mentoring through the research process, etc.
The Graduate College, upon request of the REU hosting unit or department, will process a fellowship appointment, which includes assignment of a UIN and stipend payment. Requests to appoint as an REU fellow are made through the form linked below. Please submit this form as soon as participants are confirmed, as payments are only made on the monthly payroll dates (approximately the 16th of each month). We recommend that these request are submitted at least six weeks prior to the first desired payment date. The Graduate College will follow up with participants to complete New Hire paperwork if needed.
Forms
Download the REU Information Form
REU Information Form Instructions
Please print out a copy of the completed PDF for you own records.
NOTE: If a participant is under age 18 at the time of the research experience, most forms will require the signature of a parent or legal guardian. It is the lab’s responsibility to check the participants’ ages via passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate.
Upload your completed form via Protected Email Attachment Repository (PEAR). PEAR is a closed webmail application available to anyone with a valid University of Illinois NetID.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the schedule for payment of the REU stipend?
The REU stipend payment schedule follows the same timetable used by payroll to disburse monthly wages, approximately the 16th of each month. Stipends can be paid in a single monthly payment or split over multiple months.
Will students need to be registered for the summer?
No. Students will not need to be registered as Illinois students (non-degree or otherwise). Their fellowship appointment will generate a UIN that will provide them access to basic campus services such as the library and the bus system.
Will students have access to all campus services automatically through this Fellowship?
No. The only way for students to automatically have access to all student benefits is for them to register at least half-time (3-5 credit hours) for the summer term. This would trigger the student fees required for access to campus resources.
Will students be covered under university liability insurance in case of accident under this Fellowship?
No. The REU hosting unit will ask students to provide “proof of insurance” as a condition of their participation in the respective programs. Students will also need to indicate that they have completed all necessary safety training, and that they have signed an “acknowledgement of risk” form/waiver for participation in on-campus research activities, which are kept by the REU hosting unit.
Will students receive a UIN, netid, i-Card, and Illinois email account with this Fellowship appointment?
Yes. Once the student receives their UIN, which is generated along with their appointment, they can create a University of Illinois netid and get an i-Card from the Illini Bookstore. Once they set their AD password, they are able to setup an Illinois email account.
Will students fill out the I9?
Form I9 is not required for REU participation since participants receive a fellowship stipend. Participants are not performing work and are not receiving any form of work payment.
Will students apply for SSN?
Current UIUC students with UINs do not need to supply a social security number. Participants who are not current UIUC students must provide an SSN or TCN to create their UIN and to initiate their fellowship appointment. Instructions for how to provide this are on the fellowship request form.
Can you tell me how we will get notified when the fellowship appointment has been processed?
The Graduate College will notify the department when the appointment has been processed.
Questions
If you have questions, please contact: reu-programs@illinois.edu