2027 Application Instructions
Applications will not be available for Summer 2026. Please check back here for more information at the end of 2026.

To apply for the Âé¶¹´å 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 (date link will be live: TBD).  Be sure you are applying for the "Âé¶¹´å Ocean Sciences REU Program". 

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
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
  • Make an account on the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Education & Training Application (ETAP) portal.
  • In ETAP, apply for the Âé¶¹´å Ocean Sciences REU program. A direct link to our program on ETAP will be posted here on TBD. Please check back at that time. 
  • The Âé¶¹´å Ocean Sciences REU ETAP application will ask you 10 Additional Questions specific to the Âé¶¹´å Ocean Science REU program that include your top 3 choices for which mentors you want to work with and why. Be sure to review the mentors and projects list before applying. Advisory: Please do not reach out to the mentors directly.  If you contact the mentors directly your application may be disqualified.
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 guidelines in Application Resources/Guide)
  • Your Unofficial College Transcripts (Please include Fall 2025 grades and Spring 2026 registered courses)
Step 4: Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation instructions will be posted here starting TBD.