REUs vary according to the research and the site structure, but a sample timeline of running an REU site is below. We have highlighted some important aspects that can affect the success of an REU site, followed by a quick yearly to-do sample list.
A detailed sample yearly to-do list:
Printer Friendly Calendar List [PDF] | Word Template Calendar List [Docx]
JANUARY
- Set up your website with program dates and application procedure
- Advertise your site: recruitment visits and talks, emails, flyers, etc.
- Start working on project topics and mentors
- Register and submit information for PI meeting
FEBRUARY
- Revise applications received
- Finalize projects and select mentors
- Talk to mentors about the program: dates, expectations, etc.
- Talk to program evaluator and set up data collection for evaluation
- Make travel arrangements for PI meeting
MARCH
- Close application and organize application information
- Send letters of acceptance/rejection
- Finalize student lineup (obtain proof of citizenship or perm residency)
- Start planning site activities (speakers, visits, trips, workshops, fun, etc.)
- Coordinate activities with other REU programs on campus (welcome ceremony)
- Finalize evaluation instruments (surveys, questionnaires, etc.)
- Attend PI meeting
APRIL
- Email students with general information (airport pickup, dress code,
payment schedule, dorm information, first day of work date, etc.) - Make travel arrangements including pickup of students
- Make housing and meal arrangements
- Process student IDs
- Set up payment procedure and schedule
- Finalize site program
MAY
- Set up labs (computers, access, any other hardware/software, etc.)
- Set up email accounts
- Pick up students from airport and take them to the dorms
- Take students to buy stuff for the dorms (grocery, etc.)
- Tour of campus
- Meet their mentors
- Get first stipend
- Welcome ceremony and Intro session about the program (activities, program, expectations, etc.)
- ** List of example activities: **
- Talk about graduate school and how to find funding for it
- GRE workshop
- How to prepare a good fellowship application
- Visits to sites/places of interest and fun and group building activities
- Technical talks from invited faculty
- How to write a good research paper
- How to do and present a good poster
JUNE
- Research starts
- Weekly surveys for program evaluation and weekly meeting with students
- Second stipend
- Mid-program presentations
- Submission of draft of research paper or poster
JULY
- Weekly surveys for program evaluation
- Have weekly meetings with students
- Third stipend
- Rent car to take students to airport
- End of program presentations
- Submission of poster
- Submission of research paper
- Poster competition and closing ceremony
- Dorms checkout
- Students return to their homes
AUGUST
- Send post-program survey for program evaluation
- Collect information for renewal (statistics, publications, etc.)
- Prepare material for NSF annual report
- Work on research papers
SEPTEMBER
- Send all program evaluation material to program evaluator
- Obtain evaluator annual report
- Finalize research papers and submit for publication
- Solicit faculty interest for upcoming summer
OCTOBER
- Prepare and submit NSF annual report
- Open applications for upcoming summer program
NOVEMBER
- Start working on website for next year
DECEMBER
- Determine dates for next year
- Start advertisement process