Maryland Sea Grant : Research, Outreach & Education: Research: Research Experiences for Undergraduates: Research Experiences for Undergraduates


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two students in rowboat filtering Bay water for microorganisms

Dr. Moser and student plotting course on board the research vessel

I'm a sophomore. What are my chances of getting a fellowship?
Maryland Sea Grant looks to provide National Science Foundation (NSF) REU fellowships to rising college seniors. From past experience, additional science courses taken during junior year prove good preparation for the summer REU research experience. We encourage sophomores to seek other research opportunities and apply when they are rising senior or seniors graduating after the fellowship.
I live in the United States however I'm not a US citizen. Can I still apply?
NSF regulations require that all students receiving a fellowship with Maryland Sea Grant be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
I've already had an REU Fellowship. Can I still apply for your fellowship?
In general, NSF has a "no repeat" guideline which means a student who has already had an REU Fellowship will not be considered for another one. There are exceptions to this rule and each decision will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
When might I expect to hear about a fellowship offer from Maryland Sea Grant and how much time do I have to decide?
This year applications were due March 1, 2013. Students who are eliminated in the first round of application review are notified in March. Maryland Sea Grant sends out fellowship offers on or after March 15th. Our program schedule this year targets the first week in April for notification to applicants regarding their final status. After you have been offered a Maryland Sea Grant REU Fellowship, you may have up to 5 days to decide whether to accept it. If you have questions or concerns regarding your status, please contact Michael Allen (mallen@mdsg.umd.edu) or Jeannette Connors (connors@mdsg.umd.edu).

Our program schedule this year targets the first week in April for notification to applicants regarding their final status. If you have questions or concerns regarding your status, please contact Michael Allen (mallen@mdsg.umd.edu) or Jeannette Connors (connors@mdsg.umd.edu).
How do you select mentors?
Students are encouraged to look at the list of mentors and research projects conducted by former REU students before applying. Particular areas or specific mentors that may match an applicant's interest should be stated in the personal statement. Primarily, the selection committee matches students and mentors based on their mutual interests.
If I am offered a fellowship and accept, what kind of workload can I expect? Will I have to work weekends?
You are expected to work at least 40 hours/week. You will be spending the summer at a marine lab where the atmosphere is serious but relaxed, where scientists work hard but enjoy flexible schedules. For example, some days you may be expected to work long hours in the field, running a particular laboratory experiment, or preparing a report. Alternatively, other days you may find yourself with a free afternoon due to the particulars of your experiment schedule. You are expected to be responsible for your time, meeting the minimum 40 hour/week requirement, while setting a schedule that is compatible with the lab you are working in and the research you are doing.
Will I see other REU students during the summer?
All 14 REU students will spend the week of orientation together. After orientation the students are generally split between the two research facilities — Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) and Horn Point Laboratory (HPL).
What if I want to accept a fellowship but my school is on the quarter system and I'm not able to come to Maryland until June. Can I still participate in the program and miss the orientation and first week of the fellowship?
Sometimes students are able to work out arrangements with their professors to take exams early, or to take them while they are in Maryland. There is, however, a tight schedule of orientation, research design, proposal writing, and data collection. Students are expected to arrive as close to the program start date as possible. Details should be discussed with the program coordinator, Dr. Michael Allen.
I have questions on dorm facilities at the labs. Are there phones in the dorm rooms?
CBL dorm rooms do not have phones. There are 2 phones located in the dormitory area that can receive incoming calls. HPL dorm rooms have their own phones with their own phone number. You may want to bring an answering machine for your room. Cell phone reception can be poor at the labs.
Will I be able to pick my roommate for the summer?
About a month before orientation we will send you a questionnaire to fill out. This will help us to pair you with a suitable roommate.
Is there a community bathroom on each floor or a bathroom in each room?
CBL and HPL have a bathroom on each floor of the dorm and in the common areas.
What about laundry facilities?
Both HPL and CBL provide washers and dryers. You'll need to provide your own laundry detergent.
Are linens supplied?
CBL provides bed linens and towels. HPL does not supply linens. Students should bring bed linens and towels to HPL. One blanket is provided at HPL. The AC can make the rooms cold, so additional blankets are advised.
Is there a TV? How about cable?
CBL and HPL have common rooms open 24 hours a day and have intermittent cable television.
Do I need to bring my own computer?
Each CBL dorm room has one computer jack and there is a WiFi connection in the building. HPL has 2 computer hook ups per room. Besides a few communal-use computers in various campus locations, both CBL and HPL have wireless internet available in their offices and labs.
Are there libraries at the labs?
There are libraries for your use at both labs.
I want to workout while I'm at the lab. Where can I do this?
CBL has an exercise bike, NordicTrack, and the river to swim in. Summer memberships at St. Mary's College Recreation Center are available for purchase. HPL has a weight room with one treadmill. Cambridge has a YMCA with cardio and weight machines, free-weight room, basketball courts, and a new indoor pool.
Where can I grocery shop?
Both CBL and HPL have grocery stores close by the labs.
How often do we get paid?
Students are paid every two weeks. Your first check may be delayed by a couple of weeks so make sure to bring enough money to get you through the first two weeks of the program. Paychecks are picked up on Fridays at each lab. Direct deposit is available but will take several weeks to be effective.
I have additional questions on dorm facilities at the labs.
We have written a guide entitled Maryland Sea Grant REU Guidebook for Chesapeake Biological Laboratory & Horn Point Laboratory. It contains a lot of useful informatation about both laboratories. Please use this link to download the pdf (~248K).
There are a lot of water-based activities during orientation, but I'm not a good swimmer. Can I still participate? What about sea sickness?
If you are uncomfortable on the water just keep a life jacket on during the orientation cruise. If you worry about sea sickness you can get a patch or take Dramamine. There are research projects with little or no field work so if that is a preference you should let us know so we can consider that when we match you with a mentor.
Is there a guest policy during the fellowship period at the dorms?
Guests need to behave and follow the same rules as everyone else. However guests should be visitors and not "semi-permanent" residents. Follow the usual rules, be courteous and let the other REUs know if you are going to have guests.