Henley Gate - UC Santa Barbara

Summer Research in Physics and Astronomy at UC Santa Barbara 

June 22, 2026 to August 21, 2026

This 9-week Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Summer Research Program for undergraduates. Students will work with faculty and graduate students on a variety of cutting-edge research projects in Physics and Astronomy. The program also aims to provide all-round professional development through weekly activities, and a strong cohort experience through shared housing and social activities.

Program Overview

Research Projects

This program aims to provide opportunity for a diverse group of undergraduates to conduct summer research in areas that span a broad range of topics in contemporary Physics. Research will be conducted under the supervision of UCSB Physics faculty working at the forefront of their field. Research areas include Astronomy/Astrophysics, Elementary Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, Physics of Soft and Living Matter, and General Relativity and Quantum Gravity. Students will work on individualized projects, and will be expected to give a presentation to the Physics REU group at the end of the program, and will also have the opportunity to participate in a common poster session for all UCSB REU participants from a variety of fields

Professional Activities

Along with doing research, a rich program of activities is planned: these include close mentoring by REU program faculty, practice sessions for presentations, lunchtime seminars by faculty/researchers, lab visits, career development workshops, and information sessions on applying to Graduate School and preparing for the Physics GRE.

Social Activities

We plan several social activities and local trips intended to facilitate interaction and community-building among REU students, and with UCSB Physics faculty, graduate students and UCSB Physics undergraduates. 

Travel, Stipend and Housing

Students will receive a $700/week stipend, free shared housing, and some support towards round-trip travel to Santa Barbara. The provided shared housing will be in the San Joaquin Apartments apartments at UCSB.

Santa Ynez University Housing

Eligibility

(please read closely before applying)

  • Students must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents to receive funding from our National Science Foundation funded REU program.
  • Students must be enrolled in a 2-year or a 4-year academic institution, and may not have graduated by Summer 2025. That is, participants must be continuing with their undergraduate education in Fall 2025, after the REU.
  • Strong preference is given to students who have at least completed a one-year Calculus-based Introductory Physics sequence.
  • Students are expected to attend the entire program to receive the full benefit of all activities. Accommodation for arriving and departing up to 1 week early will be considered for students with a college academic calendar that requires them to depart early, and such requests should be made clearly at the time of application.