The Research Experience for Undergraduates in RNA and Genome Biology Program 

Our REU Site in RNA and Genome Biology (REU-RGB) is a collaboration between CU-Anschutz and MSU Denver. This collaboration harnesses the strengths of each institution to engage students, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM, in independent, mentored bioscience research. By combining our campus resources, we take advantage of faculty and facilities at each institution to effectively identify and train students who are well-positioned for a transformative summer research experience. Our structure allows us to effectively match undergraduates, especially those that have taken less-traditional paths through college, with research-intensive faculty mentors. Mentors will provide advanced training to this next generation of scientists in a rigorous and well-supported program environment. 

Application Information 

A committee of REU-RGB Faculty will select highly qualified undergraduates for REU-RGB 2025 positions.  

Applicants will be contacted by email the first week of March 2026, continuing until all slots are filled. Applicants will have seven days to accept the internship offer and will be asked to sign a letter of acceptance agreeing to complete the program requirements. If the applicant needs to make a decision on another offer for a summer program before being contacted, they may contact the REU-RGB to request an expedited decision. Please note that REU-RGB is a full-time training program that spans 10 weeks. Therefore, fellows may not combine their research work with any other daytime commitments. 

Eligibility and Requirements 

All college undergraduates who will be re-enrolling Fall 2026 are eligible to apply. RGB-REU can only accept U.S. citizens, U.S. Nationals, and permanent residents. Interns are required to attend orientation and weekly lectures given by REU-RGB researchers and/or mentors. Applicants whose institution is in session into June may request approval for a late start date. Interns must present their work at the end of the internship to members of the REU-RGB. Any publications, patents, posters, talks or projects that result from an intern's participation in REU-RGB must credit the program by including the funding acknowledgement. 

Application 

The application deadline for Summer 2026 is February 13, 2026. 

There are 2 components to the application. First, you must complete the general application in the NSF eTAP portal (including registration), applications will not be accepted via email. Please make sure to save your progress regularly in the application portal. Second, there are several questions specific to the REU-RGB. Crucial components of the REU-RGB portion of the application: 

• One paragraph describing the applicant’s research experience. This could include mentored or independent research in a lab on the applicant’s campus, an internship, a prior NSF REU, research that is part of a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), or similar. The description should include 1-2 sentences about the project and 2-5 sentences about the applicant’s role in the project. This is question # 1 in the REU-RGB application.
• There are several questions that require 1-2 paragraph responses for the applicant to detail the following: (1) the applicant’s interest in the REU-RGB, (2) what the applicant hopes to get out of their experience in program, (3) future career goals, (4) a list of 5 mentors whose research you are interested in, and (5) the applicant’s reason for selecting their desired mentors/projects (in their own words). These are questions #3-7 in the REU-RGB application, so copy/paste this information there. Please note that these questions are NOT the same thing as the Personal Statement that NSF asks you to fill out when registering for an account in the Application Materials section. The NSF Personal Statement is not a requirement for the REU-RGB application, but you may fill it out if you wish. Please find the full list of REU-RGB Mentors underneath the important dates table below.
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a science professor/lecturer from a course completed by the applicant) submitted along with application through the program portal. Letters must be submitted by the submission deadline. 
• Official college transcript. The transcript can be uploaded as a file in the application portal. To upload your transcript, navigate to the eTap Menu (green menu on the left-hand side of the screen), and select "Application Materials". Within the Application Materials section you will upload your transcript to the corresponding area.

Stipend, Housing, Travel, and Food Allowances 

Interns will receive a stipend of $7,000 for 10 weeks. Payments will be disbursed bi-weekly via direct deposit. Interns will also receive additional support for housing (furnished campus apartments at MSU Denver or AirBnBs in the area) and food. A transit card will be provided for local transportation. If not local to the Denver metro area, the REU-RGB program will be able to assist in costs for travel to/from Denver for the summer.  

Please reach out to [email protected] for any questions regarding the RGB REU Intern Program.