The University of Alabama Graduate School supports summer research experiences for undergraduates (REU).
These are 10-week in residence programs that each pay a stipend, and also offer free on-campus housing plus an allowance to help with travel and meal expenses.
This effort is part of the UA Graduate School’s Strategic Graduate Partnerships Initiative (SGPI).
About SGPI
- The goal of the UA’s SGPI is to create partnerships with academic institutions that create pathways for undergraduate students into graduate programs.
- The primary focus of SGPI is to create pathways that link undergraduate-focused institutions in Alabama and the southeast with UA’s graduate programs.
Summer 2026 Programs
- Alabama Transportation Institute: Autonomous and Connected Transportation (ACT)
- Artificial Intelligence for Operational Hydrology
- Athletic Training
- Chemical Engineering/Polymers
- Chemistry/Renewable Energy
- Food and Nutrition
- Psychology
- Social Work
Interested students are encouraged to attend a virtual SGPI REU Info Session
SGPI Summer 2026 Bridge-REU Info Session 1
Thursday, January 15, 2026
3:00 PM
SGPI Summer 2026 Bridge-REU Info Session 2
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
3:00 PM
Minimum Application Materials for All Programs
- Basic contact information (name, email, current institution, major, expected graduation, etc.)
- Resume
- Recommendation letters (2)
- Statement of purpose
- Unofficial transcripts
International Students
International students currently enrolled full-time at a US academic institution located in the United States may be eligible to apply. International students must hold a valid visa status that will allow full participation in the program. For international students on an F-1 visa, they must be authorized either under Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and for students on a J-1 student visa, they must be authorized under Academic Training (AT) to participate in any of the summer programs listed above. If admitted, students must immediately submit the following documents to UA: passport, visa, I-94, and I-20 authorizing CPT or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card for OPT or J-1 DS-2019 authorizing AT or other visa documentation that allows participation. F-1 and J-1 student visa holders should contact the International Student Office at your institution to apply for OPT, CPT, or AT authorization.
Important Dates
| Summer 2026 Applications Open | By December 15, 2025 |
| Virtual Info Session 1 | January 15, 2026 |
| Virtual Info Session 2 | February 11, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 Applications Close | March 1, 2026 |
| Letters of Recommendation Due | March 5, 2026 |
| Applicants Notified | April 15, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 Move-In Day | May 17, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 Move-Out Day | July 25, 2026 |
Contact
| Kim Jacks | Program Coordinator for Academic Partnerships |
| Emmett J. Lodree | Executive Director of Academic Partnerships |
| Jackson Quarles | Graduate Assistant for Academic Partnerships |
| sgpi@ua.edu | |
| Phone | 205-348-0052 |