The NEWT Research Experience for Community College Students (REU) is a 10-week summer program designed to provide community college students with hands-on research experience in nanotechnology applications to improve water treatment.

REU participants 2019

The NEWT REU is a joint effort by Rice University, Arizona State University (ASU), and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), organized by NEWT and the Rice Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM).

NEWT REU Benefits

  • Spend 10 weeks in the summer working in a real research project related to the application of nanotechnology to water treatment.
  • Learn about the research and scientific publishing processes.
  • Explore academic and career opportunities and expand your professional network of peers, letter writers, and mentors.
  • Learn how to write a research abstract, create a research poster, and deliver a successful scientific poster presentation.
  • Present your research as a poster at the Smalley-Curl Institute Summer Research Colloquium.
  • Receive a $6,000 stipend and free parking at the host university.
  • Receive travel support to attend an orientation session and the summer colloquium at Rice University in Houston.

Learn more about the experience from past participants in the NEWT REU blog.

Locations and eligibility

The NEWT REU is offered at Rice University, Arizona State University, and The University of Texas at El Paso. It is open to currently-enrolled community college students in the greater Houston, TX; Phoenix, AZ; and El Paso, TX metropolitan areas. Participants must be available to work full time in their research projects for 10 weeks during the summer and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply.

Applications

Applications open in February every year and can be submitted through the R-STEM website.

Applicants are required to submit:

  1. Unofficial transcript of grades from your community college and any other higher education classes you have taken.
  2. A personal statement on why you are interested in research and how the NEWT REU program fits with your academic and career goals.  This statement should be about 1-2 pages in length.
  3. Two letters of recommendation from a professor, advisor, or employer (at least one of the letters must be from a STEM professor).
  4. A completed and signed Participant Acknowledgement Form (PAF). By signing the form, the applicant agrees to participate in all required NEWT REU sessions.

Further details and the link for application submission can be found in the R-STEM website.

Questions or comments? Please contact Jorge Loyo.