Make a lasting impression with the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.
As an undergraduate research assistant (RA), you’ll work alongside a faculty mentor on an in-depth project, learning a wide range of research skills such as reviewing literature, developing surveys, collecting and cleaning data, and analyzing results. At the same time, you’ll make valuable connections with JMU faculty as you collaborate on research topics of mutual interest.
The REU program will give you a chance to build your professional skills or prepare for graduate school. These experiences also may give you a competitive edge in applying for prestigious national scholarships or Hillcrest scholarships, which often provide the opportunity for international travel and study. Check out some past REU accomplishments.
"Participating in the REU program over the past two years has been one of my most meaningful experiences at JMU. Working closely with a distinguished professor sharpened my research, collaboration and communication skills, all while benefitting from exceptional mentoring. This project catalyzed valuable opportunities, including co-authoring an academic paper now in the publication process and presenting to industry professionals at a national conference in Salt Lake City.”
Dylan Feldman, Accounting, Finance and Economics triple major
“The REU program enabled me to collaborate with one of the most outstanding students of my JMU career in a deeply enriching experience. Together, we mined and organized data into a usable database and shared our findings with industry professionals. Our research, at the intersection of mental health and financial wellness, offers actionable insights for student services and academic programming to maximize student impact and value.”
Cathy Snyder
Senior Lecturer, Department of Marketing
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- Fall applications close in August
- Spring applications close in December
- Summer applications close in April
- Contact Tim Ozcan for specific dates each semester.
Applying for a Continuation
Students and faculty wishing to continue working together in subsequent semesters must reapply and submit individual evaluations of their work from the previous term.
Subsequent research awards may be granted, contingent upon the faculty-RA team successfully meeting their project’s "completion standards."
FAQs for Students
You must submit an application to participate in the REU Program. If you and a particular faculty member already have discussed working together, you are encouraged to submit applications together noting your mutual request. If you do not apply with a faculty collaborator in mind, you may be matched with a partner with similar research interests. Submit a student application.
Students applying to the REU program must be in good academic standing and have a 2.75 GPA to be accepted into the program, as well as to reapply for future assignments. You are not required to be enrolled in the Honors College or to be admitted to the CoB at the time a project begins. However, preference will be given to underclassmen demonstrating a high likelihood of ultimately gaining entry to the CoB. Upperclassmen are also eligible for awards.
You will be conducting academic research that meets definitive benchmarks or guidelines—not simple or menial tasks. Through this experience, you should develop a wide range of skills, from reviewing literature, developing surveys and collecting data to conducting statistical and qualitative analysis and writing results.
Your first assignment will last for one semester. However, you may apply to continue your project into a second semester or apply for a totally new project after completing the first. Projects also may be initiated and completed over the summer. Each new assignment or renewal requires an application.
Work should range between five and 10 hours per week. Research assignments offer a flexible schedule, with hours to be negotiated between the student and faculty adviser.
Research Assistants (RAs) will receive an hourly rate of $12.00 for time worked up to 100 hours per semester. Two-semester or summer assignments may qualify for payment up to 200 hours.
No. If you are interested in completing a research project for course credit, talk to your academic advisor about the possibility of completing an independent study project.
You do not need to complete work that would be submitted for publication, but faculty-RA pairings must collaborate on a brief presentation and/or reflection of the work completed. Students are encouraged to present their work at either the Honors Symposium (if applicable) or through departmental poster presentations.
Pending a recommendation from faculty mentors, funds may also be made available for student travel to present their joint work at professional conferences (e.g., Council on Undergraduate Research Poster Session on the Hill, the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), or other discipline specific professional conferences).
Hours of operation:
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
