One of the greatest challenges facing 21st-century society is finding a sustainable energy supply. Energy is the basis for a large portion of the global economy and we are currently primarily dependent on nonrenewable fossil fuels. Not only are reserves dwindling, but nonrenewable fossil fuels also contribute significantly to pollution and climate change. With adequate research and proper implementation, plants, algae, and other microorganisms have great potential to help address the energy crisis.

UNL’s Bioenergy Systems REU is funded by NSF and administered by the School of Biological Sciences. We collaborate with faculty mentors with seven departments as well as the Center for Plant Science Innovation to provide diverse research opportunities with laboratories covering a wide spectrum of bioenergy research topics. You are matched with a faculty mentor and participate actively in the design and implementation of a ten-week research project in order to contribute new knowledge to sustainable energy systems.

Bioenergy seminars and touring a local power plant provide opportunities to exchange ideas with other students, researchers, and faculty. The program offers graduate school and professional development seminars as well as social and recreational activities.

• I am a college freshman. Am I eligible to apply? Yes. We do accept applications from freshmen, although preference is given to students who are currently juniors and seniors with at least one semester of remaining undergraduate coursework, those who have completed advanced coursework relating to the research area, and those with interest in pursuing an advanced degree. Each research program may have unique criteria or prerequisites. Learn more by visiting the research program pages.
• I am a senior that will graduate in May/August. Am I eligible to apply? No. Only undergraduates with at least one semester of remaining coursework after summer research are eligible to apply. (E.g., students graduating in May are not eligible for the Summer Research Program for the summer in which they graduate.)
• I am not a member of a minoritized group. Am I eligible to apply? Yes. The program seeks to increase graduate school access for students from groups underrepresented in graduate education, including students from minoritized populations, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families, as well as those from minoritized racial/ethnic groups. We also encourage applications from those attending academic institutions where research programs are limited.
• I am a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) student or a student with asylee status. Am I eligible to apply? Yes. We do welcome applications from those with a DACA status. However, because DACA students aren’t currently eligible to receive federal aid, it’s advisable to reach out to the program that you’re interested in to see if there is a different funding source available. Be sure to also mention your DACA status in short-answer question 3.
• I am an international student. Am I eligible to apply? No. The Nebraska Summer Research Program is only open to domestic students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with DACA status) who are attending U.S. post-secondary institutions.
• Can I apply even though I’m attending a community college? Yes. Applications from those attending community college are accepted.  
• I currently attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Am I eligible to apply? Yes. University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduates are eligible to apply to the Nebraska Summer Research Program. However, it is preferrable that UNL students apply to the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience at Nebraska (UCARE), which is geared directly toward UNL students. The application can be found here: https://ucare.unl.edu/
• What is the GPA requirement? The Nebraska Summer Research Program doesn’t have a minimum GPA requirement for application. However, each research program may have unique criteria or prerequisites. Learn more by visiting the research program pages.
• I’ve applied to the Nebraska Summer Research Program in the past but didn’t get accepted. Can I apply again? Yes. Students who have applied to the Nebraska Summer Research Program in the past may apply again. A previous application will not influence your current application.
• I’ve previously participated in the Nebraska Summer Research Program. Can I apply again? Yes. Students who are previous participants may reapply. Each program has different guidelines for acceptance based on their grant, so you should contact the program PI or coordinator for more information.