Are you interested in undergraduate research opportunities to solve one of the Grand Challenges of engineering? This research experience for undergraduates (REU) is a funded 10-week program (May 19-July 25, 2025) hosted by the NC State University College of Engineering – Office of Academic Affairs.

The GCSP-REU program is aimed at providing high-quality research experience along with strong research mentoring support to help Grand Challenges Scholars navigate the summer research experience and develop research skills and confidence during the process. Selected GCSP participants who meet all deadlines and requirements will receive a $6,000 stipend for program participation.

Eligibility Requirement

For Grand Challenges applicants and current scholars only who are interested in receiving a paid 10-week summer research experience for undergraduates (REU), apply no later than March 2nd, 2025. Scholars will be notified of the award decision by April 7th, 2025.

GCSP-REU Admission Requirements

The program is open to Grand Challenges Scholars at NC State University (Current and applicant scholars).  Women, members of under-represented minority populations, or/and first and second year engineering Grand Challenges scholars with no research experience or minimal research experiences are encouraged to apply.

Summer 2025 GCSP-REU Application

Submit the following to grandchallenges@ncsu.edu

• Complete the GCSP application here, if you are not a scholar!
• Updated One-page résumé
• Latest unofficial transcript
• Letter of interest indicating your summer research interest and an understanding of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, and your future goals; you should link how past experiences and this research opportunity would help you obtain those goals and completing your Talent competency
• The name and e-mail address of the research mentor you’d like to work with this summer.  Your research mentor can be a research professors, faculty members, or other individuals who plan to conduct research in person this summer on NC State campus.

Who Can Be Your Research Mentor?

Examples of potential mentors may include:

• Undergraduate Research Mentor (for tips on finding a research mentor, click here
• Faculty researchers in any engineering department are eligible.
• Faculty outside of College of Engineering whose research is related to the Grand Challenges (see Multidisciplinary Competency). For example, the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program brings world-class faculty together into clusters from diverse fields for interdisciplinary research around society’s Grand Challenges. Try finding faculty clusters that are related to your Grand Challenge of interest.
• Your assigned engineering academic advisor or departmental coordinator of advising(opens in new window)
• Any faculty, staff, postdoc, or graduate student with whom you have a positive relationship and can help hold you accountable.
• Still unsure about how to find a research mentor, then contact Dr. Qaqish at obdavis@ncsu.edu for a research advising session.

The Office of Undergraduate Research welcomes students and faculty/staff to meet with (or email) OUR staff and student ambassadors with research-related questions or concerns! 

Program Dates and Deadlines

Applications are now open for the Summer REU Program and will close on March 2nd. The program will run from May 29-July 26, 2025.  The research program will be in person.

For any questions regarding the summer REU program, please contact obdavis@ncsu.edu.