The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Engineering (ENG) program under CFDA 47.041, awarded a 3-year $427,165 Project Grant to the University of Colorado Boulder's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. The grant supports a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site focused on engineering "smart biomaterials" with applications in health and materials science.
The REU program will provide 10 undergraduate students each summer with research opportunities alongside faculty and graduate students. Participants will engage in one of three team projects: (1) integrating cells with smart biomaterials, (2) combining biomolecules with smart biomaterials, and (3) designing active microparticles for biomedical applications. The program aims to attract a diverse pool of students, particularly from institutions with limited research opportunities, and inspire them to pursue science or engineering degrees and research careers.