The University of Washington Molecular Engineering Materials Center (UW MEM-C) advances fundamental materials research on nanoscale and two-dimensional quantum materials by integrating theory, synthesis, and characterization to build towards next-generation quantum sensing, information, spin-photonic, and energy technologies.
The MEM-C Summer REU program is focused on providing STEM students with opportunities to gain exposure, experience and insight related to viable and relevant career pathways focused on materials research. The program is open to all eligible applicants, including military members/veterans and students whose home institutions have more limited research resources and opportunities, such as primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) and 2-year colleges.
Program Details
If selected, you will be embedded in one of the MEM-C labs for 9 weeks during Summer Quarter. You will work with a graduate student and faculty to develop a research project, gain training in relevant techniques and instrumentation, and collect data, culminating in the preparation of a poster summarizing your research results to be presented at the end-of-program Summer Research Poster Session. REU students participate in a weekly seminar on undergraduate research covering topics such as research ethics, writing a research abstract, and making a scientific poster. Students will participate in tours of other labs and a weekly materials science journal club, in which students take turns giving a literature presentation on a published research paper assigned by their mentor.
- Duration: 9 weeks
- Dates: June 22 to August 21, 2026
- Stipend: $6,550
- Travel and Housing: On-campus housing and allowances for food and travel to campus
- Application Opens: 12/19/2025
- Application Deadline: 2/5/2026
Eligibility
MEM-C programs offering undergraduate research opportunities are open to all eligible applicants, regardless of race, sex or other identity. Prior to the start of the REU program, applicants should have completed 1 year of college-level, STEM-oriented coursework (e.g. coursework in math, chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, materials science, and/or computer science). Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States who will be 18 years or older by the start date of the program to which they apply.
Note: This link will direct you to the NSF Education and Training Application (ETAP) system which is an external site.
