REU site: research experiences for community college students in physics and astronomy

The National Science Foundation Division of Astronomical Sciences awarded the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, doing business as RFCUNY – Queensborough Community College, $457,927 on May 1, 2026, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) to operate a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site serving community college students in physics and astronomy.

The site enrolls up to twelve undergraduate students per year from community colleges and provides research opportunities across topics including black holes, biophysics, cosmic ray detection, X-ray spectroscopy, and planetary science. Participants engage in computational methods including big data analysis using national databases and AI tools, develop data collection and synthesis applications, and run large simulations to predict physical outcomes. Students also physically build detectors and assist in collecting and analyzing experimental data from partners throughout the New York vicinity. Mentored research is paired with activities designed to support research progress and foster collegial, scholarly engagement. The award aims to prepare students for competitive transfer to four-year STEM programs.

The award runs through April 30, 2029, with place of performance in Oakland Gardens, Queens, New York.

Abstract

This research experiences for undergraduates (REU) site at queensborough community college in new york city provides research opportunities to undergraduates to help prepare them for future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The site focuses on providing research opportunities to students from community colleges who have had no prior research experience. The research projects proposed for the students to engage in are varied and reach across different physics and astronomy topics including black holes, biophysics, cosmic RAY detection, X-RAY spectroscopy, and planetary science. Due to the range of research topics offered, the students have an opportunity to engage in research that inspires them while mastering skills that can be applied to their academic and career journey. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and critically use powerful computational methods. These include accessing and analyzing big data using large national databases and AI tools, creating applications that can collect and synthesize data, as well as creating and running large simulations that will predict physical outcomes from fundamental equations. They will have the opportunity to physically build detectors and assist in collecting and analyzing data from experiments with partners all over the new york vicinity. The REU site at queensborough community college provides opportunities for up to twelve undergraduate students at community colleges per year. One of the goals of the REU site is to prepare the students to be competitive for transfer to a four-year college in a STEM discipline. In addition to participating in research with an experienced mentor, the students will engage in activities to ensure not only that their research stays on track but that they have an engaging collegial and scholarly experience. The skills of data handling and analysis, building and controlling equipment and computation methods can be applied to their academic path and many of their STEM careers. A focus on scientific communication and collaboration will also be emphasized which is an essential skill for any STEM student in all aspects of their journey. By the end of the program, every student will present the results of their work in informal meetings and in a seminar talk. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.