Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Engineering Education and Centers awarded the University of Rhode Island a $462,949 Project Grant on August 15, 2026, to establish a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site focused on emerging frontiers in biomaterials, biomedical engineering, and biology (BBB@URI). Under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041), the award supports a ten-week, mentored summer research program for ten undergraduate students annually through July 31, 2029. The program delivers cutting-edge research opportunities, mentorship from experienced faculty, and structured skill development in science communication, research self-efficacy, and professional competencies designed to prepare participants for graduate studies and careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and the broader STEM workforce.

The BBB@URI program emphasizes inclusive recruitment from primarily undergraduate institutions, two-year colleges, and minority-serving institutions, prioritizing students with limited prior research access. Key deliverables include scalable research projects aligned with participant competency development, a structured workshop sequence covering responsible conduct of research, individual development planning, graduate school preparation and career pathways, and public dissemination of results through poster presentations at the statewide summer undergraduate research symposium. The program employs a holistic selection process designed to identify students with strong potential and capacity for transformational research experiences, extending beyond traditional metrics such as grade point average and institutional prestige.