The NNA Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (REU) is a paid research experience program open to undergraduate students from Alaska communities. The goal is to provide an authentic research experience with Arctic community priorities at the center.
2026 Short Intensive Research Experience Program
The 2026 application is now closed. If you would like to apply or receive updates on next year's application, you can sign up here.
Get paid to practice research! Learn from Indigenous and Western knowledge holders! Attend an international Arctic science conference! We are seeking undergraduate students from Alaska communities to participate in a short intensive research experience program focused on exploring Western and Indigenous science methods of studying how a changing climate impacts Arctic communities. In the program students learn about research in the Arctic, are mentored while attending an Arctic-themed conference that brings together knowledge holders with Indigenous and Western backgrounds, connect with experts who conduct research in the Arctic at the conference, and complete a small research project that includes analysis of co-produced data and presentation of initial findings.
Who: Alaska undergraduate students
When and where: January 6th & 7th online, January 31st - February 6th in-person at the Alaska Forum on the Environment conference in Anchorage, AK.
Compensation: Students will receive a $1200 stipend and all travel and conference registration fees will be covered. Students will also receive 1 graduate-level credit from CU Boulder upon successful completion of program requirements.
This unique opportunity to learn about and practice Arctic Earth and environmental science research could launch a career! Prior experience is NOT necessary for eligibility. Note that students must be U.S. citizens or green card holders to apply.
From this program, students will be able to:
- Make an informed decision about whether to pursue a research career.
- Ask their own questions and make their own observations about Arctic environmental phenomena.
- Interpret and analyze data collected in an Arctic community and learn how to ask meaningful research questions.
- Value Indigenous knowledges and Western science as ways to gather information about the Arctic environment and inform solutions to the challenges associated with a changing climate.
- Effectively communicate about their research to the NNA research community and with their local Arctic community.
- Increase their sense of belonging to the Arctic community and STEM fields.
What participants say about the program
- "It is important for youth to understand that there isn’t one specific route you are supposed to go. As an at-risk Indigenous youth I never thought I could be a scientist, but I found mentors who believed in me and Elders who spoke very wise words of encouragement. Youth should look to Elders. Elders have wisdom. You should foster those relationships with Elders to make changes and grow as a community so you can pass down knowledge our ancestors fought hard to keep."
-Jasmine Perea, 2023 NNA REU participant
Frequently Asked Questions
All Alaska undergraduate students who are interested in participating in research experience with Arctic community priorities at the center are welcome to apply. Additionally, you must be a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you must be 18 years old or older, and you must not have completed a bachelor’s degree before spring of 2026. This program is open to all Alaska college students and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in accordance with state and federal law.
We utilize the NSF Education and Training Application (ETAP) which will have two different parts. The first part of the application will ask questions including: personal information, demographic information, information about your family, information about your educational history* and current education information, and your experience*. The second part of the application will include questions regarding open-ended questions such as:
- Please briefly explain how and why you feel this program will benefit you and impact your future professional life (200 words or less).
- Please briefly explain how what you learn and gain from this program will benefit your Alaskan community and/or communities of the Arctic (200 words or less).
- Please tell us why you became interested in learning more about the natural world. How have you pursued this interest? (200 words or less)
- In reflecting on your own past experiences, what have you learned that will help you contribute to an inclusive and supportive environment in this program and beyond? Please provide specific examples demonstrating how you have contributed to inclusive environments. (200 words or less)
- NNA research focuses on the interactions and connections among natural and built environments and social systems in the Arctic and the understanding of the rapid changes occurring in response to a changing climate. These research projects address community priorities and are grounded in an understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems. In the context of this focus, please describe what you hope to learn, AND share any unique perspectives and skills you would bring to this program. (300 words or less)
- Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Progress in your application can be saved, but we suggest you write your responses to the background questions in a separate Word document to check for spelling and grammar and then copy and paste them into the application when you are ready. It is very important to be thoughtful in writing your responses to provide a window into yourself and your motivations for applying to this program.
*Questions regarding SAT/ACT/GRE and experience in previous REU's is optional and will not be used in our selection process.
Yes, you will receive a stipend of $1200 and 1-graduate credit from CU Boulder.
Yes, for those that live outside of Anchorage, travel support will be provided, along with accommodation in Anchorage, and a small stipend for food.
Please upload your unofficial transcript(s) from your community college or University to the online application. Screenshots are accepted. If you have issues with uploading, please email it to nna-reu@colorado.edu.
All applicants who are accepted into the program will need to provide an official transcript from their current college.
Email nna-reu@colorado.edu