Program Information

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
In your CURE summer internship you are part of a larger team working on a complex problem. The CURE program is affiliated with the NSF's Fueling the Future Center for Chemical Innovation (CCI), a large-scale, long-term science program focusing on charge transfer for renewable energy devices, and most CURE faculty mentors are actively engaged in CCI research. In CURE, faculty mentors team up on particular topic areas, each mentoring one student who specializes in one complementary piece of the research puzzle. This means you get to interact with multiple research groups, including working closely with other CURE interns focusing on complementary parts of your project.

ACTIVITIES ON AND OFF CAMPUS
Interns are given the opportunity to participate in a variety of special lectures, seminars, and activities during the summer. Because CURE is one of several summer research opportunity programs offered by UMass departments, you will find up to 100 visiting science and engineering students on campus when you are here, so you can count on meeting lots of interesting new people.
Summer in rural Western Massachusetts is an open opportunity to have fun along with your lab work, as you explore new recreational and arts and entertainment happenings in the culturally rich and naturally beautiful Pioneer Valley. But if rural isn't your thing, never fear: the ocean is a 2-3 hour drive from Amherst, Cape Cod a bit more; Boston is two hours away, New York 3-4 hours, and Montreal 5 hours.

SUPPORT
If selected, you will receive a taxable training participant stipend of $5,000, as well as reimbursement for your travel costs to and from the summer program in Amherst, Massachusetts and a $100/week travel allowance. The CURE program provides free on-campus residence hall housing for all interns.

ELIGIBILITY
CURE internships are offered to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. We generally only accept students who will be Juniors or Seniors in the coming fall. You should have successfully completed coursework in chemistry as well as other science subjects prior to applying. Because the CURE program's goal is to give excellent preparation to those who wish to go on to graduate school in science and engineering disciplines, we look for applicants who are personally committed to attaining such a goal.

We do not have a fixed minimum grade point average, but you should come well-recommended by science faculty members at your college who know your academic abilities, and you should be scientifically curious and personally ready to work at a challenging level throughout the entire May 31-August 6 ten-week period.

Students from STEM-underrepresented groups, including minorities, women, and students with disabilities, are especially encouraged to apply.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The 2010 CURE REU program will be offered contingent on funding availability.  Students are welcome to apply with the understanding that NSF renewal funding for this program is currently under review through early 2010.  

To APPLY
1.) Complete the Application Form and send back to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, to be received by Tuesday, February 16, no later than 5:00 p.m. EST.

2.) Have two science faculty members each write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, sent directly by them to the CURE Program by February 16. To ensure your letters are received in time for consideration, it is suggested you request the letters at least three weeks ahead of time.

3.) Have your college or university send an official transcript directly to the CURE Program by February 16. To ensure this is received in time to be included in your application package, it is suggested you request the transcript at least three weeks ahead of time.

To send your application materials:

Postal:
MassCREST CURE REU Program
Department of Chemistry
701 Lederle Graduate Reseach Tower
710 North Pleasant Street
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-9305

Email: curereu@chem.umass.edu

Fax: (413) 545-2667

If you are unable to download the application, please contact ftf@research.umass.edu. Current versions of Adobe Acrobat may be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com/downloads/.