REALIZE-2050 Research Experiences for Undergraduates

REALIZE-2050 (Research Experiences for American Leadership of Industry with Zero Emissions by 2050) is led by 12 faculty mentors from five departments and two colleges. Ten undergraduate students each summer will engage in cutting-edge research on:

• Energy efficiency
• Industrial electrification
• Energy storage
• Low-carbon fuels
• Renewable energy
• Carbon capture/utilization

Through hands-on experience in UC's advanced research facilities, participants will address fundamental challenges in decarbonizing energy generation, manufacturing, infrastructure, and transportation, gaining a comprehensive understanding of global climate change mitigation.

Emphasizing convergent research approaches, students will explore multiple aspects of decarbonization technologies, evaluate their feasibility and impacts, and share their findings through podcasts to increase public awareness of scientific contributions to decarbonization efforts. Leveraging UC's proximity to U.S. manufacturing hubs, the program aims to deepen students' understanding of industrial decarbonization through innovative manufacturing initiatives.

• You will receive a stipend of $700 per week.
• Housing is provided (up to $3000 value).
• You will receive travel reimbursement up to $500.
• Summer experiences will include trips to museums, seminars on professional development, and research training.
• You will learn how to make a podcast to report your results.

• Application deadline: April 26, 2024
• Notification of acceptance: May 8, 2024 
• Program date: May 29 - August 2, 2024

To apply for this REU site, an applicant must meet the following criteria 

• U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident;
• An undergraduate student at the time of the REU participation;
• Major in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or related fields;
• a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Applications are open to all who meet the criteria above. Students who are from underrepresented groups in engineering (including women, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities) and students who are from academic institutions with limited research opportunities in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply.