The National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU), part of a larger summer Undergraduate Research Program (URP) at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), provides an opportunity for students to learn about bioinformatics and computational biology by conducting intensive research under the supervision of a mentor. 

Ten students are accepted to the 10-week NSF-REU summer research program. Students learn about scientific reasoning, laboratory methods, theoretical principles, and scientific communication. In addition to research, participants attend seminars, workshops, panel discussions on careers in science, lectures on ethics, and special events designed specifically for them.  

At the URP Symposium held at the end of each summer, students present a summary of their research to their peers and advisors. Students also write a final report, similar to a scientific abstract, to describe his or her project. Students are also encouraged to attend advanced courses at CSHL to learn the latest experimental techniques in different fields and to seek advice about their future schooling and research. By the end of the program, students are well equipped to decide whether scientific research is a career they would like to pursue.  

The Department of Defense funds a significant proportion of our REU, through the National Science Foundation, as part of its "Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences" Program.

The program is open to all US citizens or permanent residents and applications from under-represented minority groups are encouraged. Further information can be obtained by visiting www.cshl.edu/URP or contacting the Watson School of Biological Sciences at 516-367-6911 or urpadmin@cshl.edu . .