Program Overview

Introduction to the REU Program

The Cain Department of Chemical Engineering offers a 10-week summer REU program that introduces students to the nature of research-oriented careers in chemical engineering, with a focus on entrepreneurship and applying scientific advances in practice.

Program Details

• The program is designed for undergraduate students in any academic year (freshman through senior) at the time of the summer program.
• Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Students are paired with faculty mentors based on interests and participate in weekly seminars, field trips, and workshops covering research skills and professional topics such as ethics, patents, and intellectual property.
• The program runs alongside other LSU summer programs in physics, computational science, and biomedical science.

Eligibility Criteria

• Undergraduate student in any academic year (freshman through senior) at the time of the summer program.
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Application Process

• Interested students should complete the online application form.
• As part of the application, students are required to submit:
  • A one-page personal statement.
  • A copy of their current college transcripts.
  • 2-3 letters of support.

Instructions for Letter of Support Writers

• A substantial part of the evaluation will be based on the written letter.
• Please use this letter to describe the student's qualifications for participating in an REU program, including:
  • Scholastic aptitude.
  • Work ethic and maturity.
  • Motivation and aptitude for research.
  • Particular strengths or weaknesses.
  • Ability to flourish in group or semi-independent situations.
  • Whether you would choose to work with this student as a research mentor.
  • How well you know the applicant.
  • Relative ranking of applicant among his/her peers.

Stipends, Lodging, and Travel Expenses

• The program is paid, with a stipend of $7,000 to cover personal expenses.
• REU participants will be lodged in university housing at no direct expense to them.
• Up to $450 per student is available to assist with travel expenses to get to LSU at the beginning of the program and to return to their home or school at the end of the summer.

Program Funding

• The REU Program is funded by two awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Program Calendar

Summer 2026

• March 31, 2026: Complete applications are due by this date.
• April 15, 2026: Acceptance notifications will be sent around this date.
• May 1, 2026: Matching of participants with mentors will be finalized; travel arrangements should be completed.
• May 26, 2026: First day of summer program.
• July 31, 2026: Last day of summer program.