Project

Research Experience for Undergraduates

Providing undergraduates with cutting edge research opportunities.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) sites provide students from diverse backgrounds the chance to immerse themselves in their host institutions' research methods and cultures. At GMRI, one of nearly 700 NSF-funded REU sites across the country, we introduce students to an exciting diversity of marine and fisheries science opportunities. Students lead projects in fisheries ecosystem research, with a particular focus on the impacts of Gulf of Maine warming trends, and develop skills that prepare them for what to expect in graduate school or related research careers.

Project Goals:

  • Provide an authentic, inclusive summer research experience for a diverse range of undergraduate students.
  • Facilitate independent, student-led research projects that contribute to our understanding of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem.
  • Prepare students for graduate school and fulfilling careers in STEM fields.

Stay tuned for the 2025 REU cohort applications.

Understanding the impacts that climate change has on our coupled natural and human systems is a major challenge of our time. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 96% of the global ocean, meaning GMRI is strategically positioned to conduct cutting-edge research on this issue. This includes documenting and monitoring change, as well as predicting and mitigating future impacts of climate change on ecosystems and the people who depend on them. We welcome undergraduate students to take part in our work and contribute to our understanding of climate change and its impacts on our coastal and marine ecosystems, communities, and industries.

We pair students with GMRI researchers engaged in a range of climate, ecosystem, fisheries, oceanographic, economic, social science, science-of-learning, cognitive science, and interdisciplinary studies. Students then have the chance to work with their mentors to design and conduct an intensive 10-week independent research project. Projects often involve field sampling, laboratory experiments, data compilation and analysis, computational simulations, policy analysis or any range of top tier research methods that help them address their research questions. At the end of the summer, students present their findings at an in-house symposium using analysis and communications skills honed throughout the summer.

Throughout the summer students are also exposed to the range of initiatives ongoing at GMRI, including those within our education, community, climate center, and ventures programs, and they will receive career and graduate school advice. This opportunity includes a stipend ($600/week for 10 weeks), housing, a meal allowance and travel support.

An REU student is about to drop a lobster trap off the side of the boat.
Field work is an important component of the REU program at GMRI.
Students sit around a table with their laptops.
Students hone their analytical skills in our REU workshops.
REU students in red diving gear pose for a photo.
Undergraduates have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills. Here, they prepare for a survival training exercise.

REU Mentors

Program Sponsor

This is the national science foundation logo.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the National Science Foundation.

Read More

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