National Research Experience for Undergraduates Program (NREUP)

The Mathematical Association of America (MAA), through its Strengthening Underrepresented Minority Mathematics Achievement (SUMMA) program, supports the participation of mathematics undergraduates from underrepresented groups in focused and challenging research experiences to increase their interest in advanced degrees and careers in mathematics. Each year mathematical sciences faculty are invited to apply for a grant to host National Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program at their own campus over the summer. NREUP is structured both to increase undergraduate completion rates and encourage more students to pursue graduate study by exposing them to research experiences after they complete their sophomore year (at this point in their studies, students typically have a strong background in calculus and a course such as linear algebra or differential equations with some degree of exposure to the proof-based mathematics needed prior to undertaking a research project). NREUP is designed to reach minority students at a critical point in their career path - midway through their undergraduate programs. As course work becomes more abstract and students are required to work independently, many promising students are not able to adjust to the demands of a major in mathematics, but with a strong connection to a faculty mentor established through the NREUP, students are given the tools they need to succeed.

OBJECTIVES

The NREUP aims to:

• Reach students at the transition point between lower division and upper division studies
• Provide mentoring in a challenging summer program that will support students as they continue their undergraduate studies
• Encourage students to pursue graduate studies and careers in mathematics

NATURE OF THE GRANT

The MAA and its SUMMA Program invite mathematical sciences faculty to apply for grants to host an MAA Student Research Program on their own campuses for at least seven weeks during summer. These grants will support stipends for one faculty researcher and a minimum of four local minority undergraduates, as well as costs for student room and board.

The budget:

• can include up to $5,500 for a faculty stipend, • can include at least$3,500 stipend per student and up to $2,000 per student for room and board. At least four students must be supported at each site. • Direct costs for each grant will not exceed$27,500.
• Indirect or F&A costs must be included in the budget in addition to direct costs.

WHO MAY APPLY?

Applications are accepted from universities and faculty. The NREUP is designed to engage underrepresented students in mathematics, specifically minorities (African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders). However, there is no set of descriptors that can be entirely defining as a minority, and faculty advisors should make a case in their proposal if student eligibility is in question. For the purposes of NREUP, the students must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or U.S. territories. A full list of frequently asked questions can be found here. The application will automatically close on December 15, 2018 at 11:59 p.m EST.

Please note that PIs and institutions that have REU sites supported by National Science Foundation's Division of Mathematical Sciences REU sites are ineligible to receive funding from the MAA NREUP grant.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

The application period for the NREUP will open on September 1st at 9 a.m. EST, and will close on December 15th at 11:59 p.m. EST. During the course of the online application, you will be asked to upload the following information as individual documents:

• Two-page CV of project director and co-project directors.
• A project description (as a file upload), which should not exceed three pages. The project description should include:
• Details on the research focus and two sample research problems (this will be a critical factor in evaluation of the proposal)
• A schedule for each week of activities
• The names, addresses, ethnicity, and home institutions of the minority undergraduates
• Student pre-requisites and any other information that will explain the level and nature of work that will be expected of the students
• Your expected outcomes and how you will assess the effectiveness of the project
• A budget with budget justification.
• A letter of support.

It must be strongly stressed to the student participants that it is expected that they will complete original research and write up their results individually or jointly in a format appropriate for publication, with formal encouragement that the results be presented in extramural venues and submitted for publication in appropriate journals. The project should provide them with training to be able to do this. The project description should describe how this encouragement and training will be provided.

Renewal proposals must list all papers submitted for publication resulting from prior NREUP-funded projects, along with their status, as well as all extramural presentations and the venues. Renewal proposals must also show evidence of its previous participants going on to attend other undergraduate research experience programs. Click on the links to see previous NREUP projects from 2014, 20152016 and 2018 awardees.