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College of Science

Ocean Science REU

2024 Application Instructions

Admissions for summer 2024 are now closed

We are no longer accepting applications for our summer 2024 program.  Please check back here for information about summer 2025 admissions at the end of 2024.

To apply for the CSUMB Ocean Sciences REU program, please follow the directions on this site and submit your application via the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Education & Training Application (ETAP) portal (link below).  Be sure you are applying for the "CSUMB Ocean Sciences REU Program". 

Here is the link to the 2024 CSUMB Ocean Sciences REU application on ETAP:

https://etap.nsf.gov/award/3236/opportunity/3796

View the requirements and guidelines below to help you prepare a strong application. If you have any questions, please first consult our Frequently Asked Questions. For questions not covered in the FAQ, please email reu@csumb.edu.

Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Current sophomore or junior pursuing a degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
  • Do not already have a Bachelor's degree
  • Recommended 2.8 GPA or better

How do I apply to the CSUMB Ocean Sciences REU program?

Step 1: Prepare and Research

  • Research our program and determine if this is the right program for you
  • Please review the mentors and projects list and consider who you are most interested in working with and why. Advisory: Please do not reach out to the mentors directly.  If you contact the mentors directly your application may be disqualified.
  • Reach out to us if you have any questions at reu@csumb.edu.

Step 2: The ETAP Application Form

Step 3: Supporting Documents

In ETAP you will need to upload the following key documents to complete your application:

  • A CV or Academic Résumé (see guideline in Application Resources/Guide)
  • Your Unofficial College Transcripts (Please include Fall 2023 grades and Spring 2024 registered courses)

Step 4:  Contact Info for Two Recommendations

ETAP will require you to submit contact information for two (2) persons who can assess your academic abilities, academic accomplishments and motivation, work habits, potential as a researcher, and your ability to participate in and benefit from a research internship program in marine geosciences. Please be sure to ask your recommenders for permission to include their information before final submission of your application.

Recommenders will be asked to upload their letters directly to ETAP. Recommenders: Please do not send letters directly to the REU email. Please stand by for more information.

**2/6/24 UPDATE ON LETTERS OR RECOMMENDATION: Our program previously did not require letters of recommendation at time of submission, only contact information. Now that our applications are handled directly by NSF's ETAP portal, they require letters of recommendation at time of submission of the complete REU application.  We apologize for any confusion prior wording on a certain part of the application website may have caused. If your recommender has not submitted their letter to ETAP yet, please have them do it by 8:59pm (Pacific Time) on Thursday, February 8th, 2024!