Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program

scientist kneeling on ice in Antarctica
Applications accepted November 1, 2025 - March 1, 2026.

Undergraduates are invited to apply to conduct research with one of our  at their home institutions for 10 weeks during the summer of 2026. Students will conduct independent research projects as a member of our interdisciplinary team, attend data analysis and R trainings, participate in journal club and professional development seminars, ethics training, and present their research findings at our summer symposium. This will be a distributed REU program-students will be based at their mentor’s institution, but the entire cohort will meet virtually every week. Mid-summer, all participants will meet-up in Albuquerque for a data jamboree and to meet REU students from other LTER programs.

Program Goals
The program’s goals are to:
  • Provide students with an independent research experience
  • Build computational and analytical skills
  • Expose students to a large, multidisciplinary research program
  • Inspire students to join the polar research community
  • Prepare students for graduate school
Students will receive a stipend and travel funds.

Application Process
Applications are accepted from students at any stage in their undergraduate degree, but they should not have completed their Bachelor’s degree before summer 2026. Students can be from any discipline; applicants should investigate  and indicate in their application with whom they would like to work. We especially welcome applications from students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Students must be U.S. Citizens.

A completed application will include:

  1. Current CV (must include full name, contact info, current school, and standing)
  2. Copy of your unofficial transcripts (if accepted, official copies will need to be sent)
  3. Personal statement describing your interest in polar research, any previous research experiences, and current and future career goals. Please describe with which of our team members you would like to work and why

The three items above should be emailed as one pdf to cvesbach@unm.edu and the email should include “MCM REU application YOURLASTNAME” in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation email within three days that your application has been received.

In addition, one letter of recommendation from faculty at the student’s home institution, mentors, or previous employers that supports the student’s academic and research potential should be emailed by the referees to cvesbach@unm.edu with the subject line “MCM REU Recommendation YOURLASTNAME”.

For further information, contact cvesbach@unm.edu.