Florida Mental Health Institute

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

The REU in Behavioral Health is designed for students interested in building their research skills and pursuing graduate education in behavioral health. The nine-week summer program increases the research competence of students through mentored research projects, research seminars, skill-building workshops, research rotations, field experiences, and research ethics training. Research projects focus on important areas in mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities.

Through funding provided by the National Science Foundation, REU Scholars receive a $4100 stipend, tuition scholarship, housing allowance, and conference travel support. The application deadline is March 6, 2009.

REU Program Information (large file)
On-line Application Form (under development; check back soon)
Student Application Form
Dates and Location
Courses

Each year, Outstanding Research Awards are given to a small number of participants whose papers have been submitted for external review. Additional information about the award winners is available in the attached links:

The REU in Behavioral Health is distinctive in that each student designs and conducts an independent research project. Students do not serve as research assistants but often serve as their own P.I. and conduct their own project or carve out an independent project from a faculty member's ongoing research program. Faculty mentors provide REU scholars with guidance at every step of the way, from preparing and submitting the IRB application to writing the research report and presenting it at a public forum. Depending on the research topic and methodology selected, a student may only have time to conduct a pilot study during the nine-week summer program. However, mentors often continue working with REU Scholars during the subsequent academic year to expand the study beyond the pilot stage as part of their senior thesis and to guide them toward conference presentations and publication.

A major factor in selecting participants for the program is our ability to match a student's research interest with the expertise of a faculty member at FMHI or in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS). Applicants are encouraged to search the FMHI and CBCS websites to identify faculty who are conducting research in their area of interest.
The REU is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0552428.