Can You See Yourself Doing Research This Summer?

Highly selective college programs require a personal statement demonstrating your interest in the area you wish to study . Participation in a summer research project can provide you with valuable new skills and experiences.

Get Ready for Berkeley Engineering

Summer research opportunities for undergraduates interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Nico Deshler talking to EECS Professor James Demmel about his sensor arrays project at the 2018 SUPERB/URISE REU poster session

Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley

Undergraduates are invited to spend 9 weeks on campus over the summer conducting engineering-related research.

Learn more about SUPERB

Diversifying Access to Research in Engineering (DARE)

A UC Berkeley program created to match undergraduate students with research opportunities in EECS and to promote diversity.

Learn more about DARE

Tips for Successful Applications

  1. Apply only to programs that you are eligible for.
  2. If you have any uncertainties about applying for the program e-mail the contact person before you apply to the program. Be sure to read FAQ's that might be posted on the program's website.
  3. Once you’ve submitted your application you may want to e-mail the program coordinator to let him/her know that you’ve applied.
  4. Meet all the deadlines posted. Late applications reflect poorly and may jeopardize your chance of being selected.
  5. Make sure to give your recommender(s) adequate time to write a polished letter of recommendation for you. Give them as much information as possible about you, the program you are applying to and how you see this program as beneficial to your academic and career goals. If possible, send your recommender a copy of your resume and personal statement or essay questions. It is preferable that your recommender is someone who knows of your potential to succeed in research. Letters from STEM Faculty are preferable.
  6. Allow yourself enough time to gather required documentation such as official transcripts, medical insurance coverage forms, if needed. Some residential programs require that you have medical insurance in order to participate. If this is the case make sure you have this complete well before you begin the program.
  7. Apply to more than one program.
  8. Decide whether or not you can commit time to this program. If you are taking a summer course, decide how much time you will need to study and commute to class. Will this take time away from your research? Some programs have mandatory attendance at programs such as GRE Prep courses. Make sure that your schedule permits you to fully participate in all aspects of the program.
  9. Familiarize yourself with the program. Avoid blanket statements such as, “I want to be accepted to a summer research program at MIT because it’s a good school.” Instead, talk about specific research being done at that institution and in this program. Give the names of faculty that you would like to work with.
  10. Last but definitely not least, bring your applications to a counselor, advisor, or faculty member so they can review and give you feedback.

Summer Research & Enrichment Undergraduate Programs

SUPERB

The goal of the Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley  (SUPERB) in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) Department is to prepare and motivate a group of diverse, competitive candidates for graduate study. The research focus of the REU site will be collecting and using Big Data for the public good.

Transfer to Excellence

Transfer-To-Excellence (TTE) is a competitive merit-based program that is intended to inspire California Community College students to ultimately transfer and complete their Bachelor’s degree in science and engineering. Participants experience life at UC Berkeley before the completion of their community college studies. TTE participants can either enroll in a credited course or participate in research.

UC Berkeley SROP

The UC Berkeley Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) was established to promote access to graduate education among undergraduates who have been educationally or economically disadvantaged, and who may not have had exposure to the academic environment of a research university.

AMGEN Scholars Program

The Amgen Scholars Program is a national program to increase research opportunities for students committed to pursuing careers in the sciences. This program provides outstanding science undergraduates with research experience and increases participants’ competitiveness as candidates for admission to prestigious graduate and professional institutions. Additionally, this program encourages participants to pursue a Ph.D. or the joint M.D./Ph.D. degree and research careers in the sciences and biotechnology. Applicants from diverse populations and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

UC Berkeley E3S

The Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science (E3S) is accepting applications for summer internship positions at UC Berkeley, MIT, Stanford and University of Texas at El Paso.
The E3S Summer Research Program is a 9-week program that introduces energy efficient electronics science to undergraduates who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in science and engineering. Summer interns have the opportunity to join E3S researchers working in a collaborative and innovative environment to make fundamental breakthroughs in the underlying physics, chemistry, and material science of electronics systems.

Programs at Other Universities