[geni-announce] REU opportunity - a great way to fund undergrad research

[Chip Elliott]

Dear GENI PIs,

Some of you may have seen the recent REU announcement from
Dr. Jeannette M. Wing, Assistant Director for CISE:
http://www.nsf.gov/cise/news/2009_11_reu_supp.jsp

The REU program is an excellent opportunity to fund undergraduate
research. If you want your undergrads to participate in GENI, this is a
great way to fund them. Last year, the GPO supported 11 students
via the REU program. This year we believe we can support more.

If you are interested in funding your undergrads in 2010, please submit
your REU request to the GPO by Feb 26, using the template below.

1. What is the REU Program?

A REU stipend is one means by which to retain talented students in
undergraduate education while providing them with meaningful research
experiences. Therefore, grantees are encouraged to consider economic hardship
as one key factor in student selection. The participation of students from
groups underrepresented in computing - underrepresented minorities, women and
persons with disabilities - is strongly encouraged.

In the case of a single investigator project, a CISE REU supplement
typically requests support for no more than two students for one year.
Research teams funded through multi-investigator projects may request 
support for
a larger number of students, commensurate with the size and nature of 
their projects.
For example, in projects involving four principal investigators, REU 
supplement support
typically may be requested for about four undergraduates for one year.

Principal Investigators are encouraged to refer to the program solicitation:
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09598/nsf09598.htm

2. How can your undergrads receive REU funding?

Please fill in the template below and email it to the GPO no later 
than 2/26/2010.
Your request should exactly follow this template, and be 1-3 pages in length.
Flat ASCII text is a good format.

I.  Project Description
II. Undergraduate student name(s) - they must be must be citizens or 
permanent residents of the
     United States or its possessions.
III. How will your student involved in meaningful ways in ongoing
     research programs or in research projects specifically related to GENI?
IV. What project or research area will the student(s) be involved in?
V. What's the relationship to your currently funded GENI work?
VI. What's the expected outcome of his or her involvement?
VII. Your itemized budget breakdown (one year only). As a guide for 
budget development,
       CISE REU supplement support averages about $8,000 per student per year,
       which might include $6,400 for student stipend support and 
$1,600 (or 25%) for
       administrative allowance (in lieu of indirect costs); this 
guideline is neither a
       floor nor a ceiling."

3. What the GPO will do with your request

The GPO will roll up all requests received, and submit an REU supplement
request to NSF. Unfortunately we do not have the spare cycles to help you write
your request, or to edit it once received - so please be sure to 
follow the template
above. Note that the GPO itself will not receive any money - all funding goes
to your institution.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Chip Elliott
GENI Project Director