Author: Tram Dang

The 2026 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Program in Materials Science and Engineering is an immersive eight-week, full-time experience designed to provide undergraduate students with hands-on research at the forefront of the field. Participants work on cutting-edge projects in areas such as Complex Concentrated Materials and Bioinspired Active Materials while collaborating closely with, and being extensively mentored by faculty and graduate researchers from the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, NanoEngineering, Physics & Astronomy, Chemistry, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, and other affiliated programs across UC Irvine.

Program Website: https://ccam.uci.edu/education-and-outreach/materials-reu/

Application: https://tinyurl.com/REU2026

Deadline: January 31, 2026

Program Details
Duration: June 21 to August 14, 2026 (8 weeks)
Location: University of California, Irvine
Competitive support package: $5,000 stipend, travel allowance, on-campus housing, and meals

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents (as stipulated by the NSF)
• Undergraduate students (non-graduating seniors) in science or engineering at any
• 2- or 4-year U.S. college or university
• At least 18 years old by June 21, 2026
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must be available for the full duration of the program
• No prior research experience required

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Joan Kang, M.Ed. | Senior Career Services Advisor :: Career Services Center :: Santa Monica College | Tel: 310.434.3962

Email: [email protected] | 1900 Pico Boulevard | Santa Monica, California 90405 | Fax: 310.434.4312

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Good afternoon, everyone!

Just a friendly reminder that we’ll be hosting Fall Finals Study-A-Thon THIS WEEKEND — December 12^th -15^th!  Please feel free to share the attached flyer with your students. 

As in previous semesters. We’re offering a 4-day study space where students can study together and take healthy breaks! RSVP Not Required, but RSVPing helps us plan how much food and snacks we’ll need.

• STEM Lab
• Group Study Rooms
• Quiet Room
• STEM Reception Area (w/ fridge, toaster oven, electric kettle, microwave)
• and more….

Extended STEM Lab Hours (Friday & Monday)

When:  12/12 & 12/15

Time:    8AM – 10PM 

Where: Drescher Hall 302 

STEM LAB — OPEN ALL WEEKEND: Over the weekend there will be FREE Food! Pizza, Sandwiches, Coffee, Snacks, and more! 

When:  Saturday, 12/13 & Sunday, 12/14 

Time:    10AM – 10PM 

Where: Drescher Hall 302 

Don’t Forget: Supplemental Instruction (SI) is also holding Final Review Sessions this week on Friday (12/12) & Saturday (12/13)!

Hope to see you & your students there!

  smc.edu/resources

Santa Monica College is situated on the unceded Ancestral homeland and territory of a number of First Nation tribes, including the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh people, among others. We honor the Indigenous caretakers of these lands past, present, and future. Visit https://native-land.ca/ as a starting point for learning about the Indigenous peoples on whose land you reside. As you learn more, ask questions, and research your local history, consider your role and the role of local Indigenous communities in the history and ongoing stewardship of that land. 

Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program Overview

The NOAA-sponsored Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship supports undergraduate students pursuing studies in fields related to environmental science, atmospheric research, marine biology, and other STEM disciplines aligned with NOAA’s mission.

Website https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship and https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship/prospective

Application https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/undergraduate-scholarships

FAQ https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship/prospective/faq#FAQB2

Deadline January 31, 2026

Eligible Majors Include (but are not limited to):

• Oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences
• Mathematics and engineering
• Remote sensing technology
• Computer and information science
• Physical and social sciences (e.g., geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics)
• Teacher education programs that support NOAA’s mission

Benefits

• Scholarship award of up to $9,500 per academic year for two years
• Paid 10-week summer internship at a NOAA or partner facility
• Internship compensation: $700 per week
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship
• Hands-on research experience with NOAA experts

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens
• Be enrolled full-time during both the application process and the scholarship period
• Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Be enrolled or accepted at an accredited U.S. college or university as one of the following:
• Full-time 2nd-year student in a four-year undergraduate program
• Full-time 3rd-year student in a five-year undergraduate program (e.g., dual-degree)
• Community college or transfer student applying to a four-year institution
• Must provide proof of application to the four-year institution when applying
• If selected, must submit proof of acceptance by September 15

Website and Application: https://www.lspace.asu.edu/

Application Deadline: 11:59 pm PT on November 30, 2025

Requirement: US Citizens or Permanent Residents who can devote about 6 to 10 hours per week in addition to the 2 hour weekly online session.

The NASA Lucy Student Pathway Accelerator and Competency Enabler (L’SPACE) Program is a free, online, interactive program for students interested in pursuing a career with NASA or other space organizations.

L’SPACE consists of two academies: the Mission Concept Academy and the NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience (NPWEE) Academy. Students may participate in one academy per semester. Each 12-week academy is designed to provide unique, hands-on learning and insight into the dynamic world of the space industry. Students can expect to learn NASA mission procedures and protocols from industry professionals as they collaborate with fellow team members to complete mission-related team projects.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Spend 8-10 weeks of paid, scholarly research at one of the 20+ institutions across the US. Research opportunities in applied math, computer science, education, engineering, humanities, life sciences, math, physical sciences, psychology, and social sciences.

Additional Info: Unless your academic schedule permits, do not choose research sites where the summer programs start in May. You are also not allowed to identify more than 3 academic research sites in your application. You might also want to check the individual host research sites, for additional exceptions. Although there are no guarantees, some programs in the past have allowed non-US citizens to apply through their internal campus applications (non-Leadership Alliance website) as research sites can be funded through different ways.

Program Website, Host Research Sites, and Application: https://theleadershipalliance.org/summer-research-early-identification-program (Actual application available  November 1, 2025 but host research sites have already posted info.)

Deadline: Application, two letters of recommendations, and transcripts due February 3, 2026.

Who is Eligible

To participate in the Summer Research Early Identification Program through Leadership Alliance, you must:

• Be a documented U.S. citizen or non-citizen national, or permanent resident in possession of an alien registration receipt card (I-551) or another legal document of such status at the time of application. International citizens studying in the United States with an F-1 Visa are not eligible for the SR-EIP. Individuals seeking asylum or refugees are not eligible. (See additional note above)
• Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited public or private college or university in the United States or its territories, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Demonstrate a committed interest to pursue graduate study toward a PhD or MD-PhD.* 
• Have completed at least two semesters and have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate education by the start of the summer program.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Joan Kang, M.Ed. | Senior Career Services Advisor :: Career Services Center :: Santa Monica College | Tel: 310.434.3962

Email: [email protected] | 1900 Pico Boulevard | Santa Monica, California 90405 | Fax: 310.434.4312

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