REU Guide - TOC

Table of Contents

1. Background and Introduction
2. How to Get Started

2.1 Develop an outline for the international REU activity
2.2 Explore and develop partnerships
2.3 Understand the National Science Foundation REU program
2.4 Discuss the proposed program with NSF staff
2.5 Prepare a funding request for a planning visit and/or developmental support
2.6 Plan and execute the initial, or test, program
2.7 Grow the program

3. Program Development

3.1 Understand the National Science Foundation REU program
3.2 Establish clear research and educational objectives for an international REU site program

3.2.1 Know the target student audience
3.2.2 Set realistic scientific and career-promoting objectives
3.2.3 Focus the research component
3.2.4 Strive for overall balance of international and domestic components
3.2.5 Seek reciprocity
3.2.6 Link with foreign host scholars and international host institutions of quality

3.3 Build a sustainable program

3.3.1 Determine “critical mass” and optimize program size
3.3.2 Establish institutional commitment of participating universities, U.S. and international
3.3.3 Consider the frequency of program offering
3.3.4 Set a realistic expectation for longevity

4. Program Planning

4.1 Develop a management plan

4.1.1 Identify a management team
4.1.2 Know the real management burden
4.1.3 Establish and monitor program costs
4.1.4 Seek cost effectiveness, efficiency, and scaling effects related to program size
4.1.5 Bear in mind the realistic costs for the project director
4.1.6 Anticipate staff time commitments

4.2 Promote interactions with existing domestic REU sites or research centers

4.2.1 Foster strong institutional grounding on domestic and international sides
4.2.2 Cultivate appropriate degree of (in)dependence for international REU program
4.2.3 Build alliances
4.2.4 Use affiliations and partnerships to recruit"research experienced" particpants
4.2.5 Include an element of vertical integration, and "bundling"

4.3 Note calendar issues

4.3.1 Establish duration of foreign site program
4.3.2 Weigh compatibility with host institution calendar

4.4 Heed funding considerations

4.4.1 Time funding application relative to program dates
4.4.2 Inquire about longer-term funding

4.5 Do a risk assessment

4.5.1 Collect the necessary permissions and clearances
4.5.2 Assure safety and security
4.5.3 Conceive and implement an emergency management plan
4.5.4 Have family contact information in case of emergency

4.6 Develop an individualized international REU program timeline

5. Pre-Program Activities

5.1 Home-side activities

5.1.1 Develop an advertising and recruitment strategy
5.1.2 Maintain a content-rich Web site
5.1.3 Launch an effective participant selection scheme
5.1.4 Protect program information
5.1.5 Organize and execute pre-trip orientation
5.1.6 Elucidate clearly program requirements, goals and expected behaviors
5.1.7 Choose efficient international travel mechanisms
5.1.8 Require emergency contact information
5.1.9 Seek written parental permission
5.1.10 Assist with passports, visas and travel documents
5.1.11 Coordinate visit with U.S. Embassy
5.1.12 Arrange to deliver participant stipend/allowance
5.1.13 Insure student participants
5.1.14 Establish deadlines and procedures for participant withdrawal

5.2 Foreign-side activities

5.2.1 Seek coordination with foreign host institution
5.2.2 Identify potential international host scholars
5.2.3 Match host scientists and engineers with student participants
5.2.4 Organize and execute orientation for foreign host scientists and engineers
5.2.5 Secure local accommodations for participants
5.2.6 Review and anticipate special on-site needs

6. Activities at Foreign Site

6.1 Receive and greet student participants
6.2 Introduce students to on-site program, staff and facilities
6.3 Provide language training or other formal coursework
6.4 Organize seminars and colloquia for student participants to discuss and to report on individual projects
6.5 Emphasize individual research and mentoring
6.6 Complement individual research work with group activities

6.6.1 Facilitate site visits and other scientific activities appropriate to the international REU site theme
6.6.2 Organize cultural and historical site field trips

6.7 Use formal activities to recognize the program’s close

6.7.1 Require participant reports on individual projects and accomplishments
6.7.2 Conduct exit surveys of participants
5.7.3 Publicly and formally recognize REU activities at a closing ceremony

6.8 Be aware of and recognize culture shock and reversre culture shock

6.8.1 Prepare student travelers for culture shock
6.8.2 Discuss reverse culture shock in pre-return briefing

7. Post-Progam Student Activities

7.1 Require participant final written technical reports
7.2 Conduct a program evaluation

7.2.1 Use evaluation questionnaires
7.2.2 Use available resources for designing the program evaluation plan and instruments
7.2.3 Include a budget for evaluation

7.3 Encourage alumni communication

7.3.1 Develop an alumni Web site
7.3.2 Organize reunion meetings

8. International REU Site Project Evaluation

8.1 Conduct longitudinal tracking of participants through follow-up communications and surveys
8.2 Financial reporting
8.3 Course corrections

9. Acknowledgments
10. References
11. Appendicies

Appendix 1: World Wide Web References To Existing International REU and REU-Like Programs
Appendix 2: Sample Timeline of International REU Program Activities
Appendix 3: Sample International REU Program Forms

3.1 International REU Program Application
3.2 Request for Letter of Reference
3.3 Participant Code of Conduct
3.4 Participation Contract, Waiver of Liability, and Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement
3.5 Travel Release
3.6 Health Information Form and Physician’s Statement
3.7 Emergency Contact Information and Consent-to-Treat Form
3.8 Travel Information Request Form
3.9 Certificate of Achievement
3.10 Host Scholar Profile

Appendix 4: Sample REU Program Evaluation Questions
Appendix 5: Workshop Participants

Chapter 1- Background and Introduction

Last updated July, 2002