Program Details

Summer Research to Actualize your Physics Career

The Physics JILA Research Experience for Undergraduates Program is designed to equip you with the skills, experience, and supportive community to make your career trajectory tangible. This life-changing experience gives you hands-on opportunities to inspect the world around you with the guidance of an established CU Boulder Physics faculty member.

Financial InformationÌýLife in BoulderÌý


Learn more & apply!Ìý

Eligibility

All student participants in the Physics/JILA REU Program must:

ÌýÌýBe U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status
ÌýÌýHave completed at least 1 year of college by the start of the program
ÌýÌýNot have graduated college at the start of the program

Application Materials

The application deadline for enrollment in the Summer 2025Ìýcycle is typically around lateÌýJanuary 2025Ìýwith your letter of recommendation due one week after the application due date. If accepted, you'll receive an offer letter in February or March 2025. Prepare all of your materials for your application at the time of completing the form (make sure all your files are formatted as .pdfs). We cannot accept applications that are incomplete, anonymous, or received after the application deadline. Please do not submit any additional materials such as CV, papers, posters, or any other publications you've contributed to.

You'll submit all of the materials required for the 2025ÌýREU cycle via the application portal (we do not accept applications via email or post), this includes:

ÌýÌýUnofficial transcript(s)
Please submit unofficial transcripts from every institution you've attended, including summer school. These transcripts should be formatted and combined into a single .pdf for your application submission.

ÌýÌýPersonal statement
Along with your GPA, test scores, letters of recommendation, and list of relevant experience and skills, the personal statement represents a critical part of a successful application. A well-written statement may prove to be the deciding factor that earns you a letter of acceptance. This is your opportunity to convey information that the selection committee will find compelling when making its final decision about your application. Here are some key points to include in your personal statement:

  • What are your academic or research interests?
  • Why are you interested in our particular institution's REU program?
  • How would participating in our REU program affect your future after graduation?
  • Please describe any situations or circumstances that demonstrate your resilience and ability to overcome challenges in the pursuit of your academic/research/career ambitions.

Please limit your personal statement to less than 500 words and submit as a .pdf.

ÌýÌý1 Letter of recommendation
You'll submit the name and contact information (email) of your recommender. We will reach out to receive your letter of recommendation.