IREU Summer Research Internship Application Information for European Students

General Information

The deadline to apply for an internship is January 31, 2010.

Students from Germany and selected European Chemistry Thematic Network (ECTN) institutions in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom can apply for a chemistry research internship in the United States through the ACS International Research Experience for Undergraduates program. See U.S. internship sites

Research programs generally last 10 weeks, beginning late May or early June. Students who cannot come to the United States this early due to the European academic calendar are still encouraged to apply. A compromise may be found to accommodate the scheduling conflict. If final exams are an issue, let us know and we will contact your professors to determine if it is possible to postpone your exams until you return to Europe in August.

Who can apply?

Students in Germany

If you are a student in Germany interested in applying to this program, you must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Germany
• Be a student in chemistry or a chemistry-related discipline
• Have completed no more than three years of university and will not complete the bachelor’s degree until after participating in the program

If your university follows the Vordiplom-Diplom system, you must have completed no more than one year beyond the Vordiplom or Zwischenprüfung intermediate-level exam to be eligible for this program.

For more information, contact Karen Welsch at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Students in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom

To apply for this program, citizens or permanent residents of these countries must:

• Be currently enrolled full-time as an undergraduate in the chemistry departments of these participating universities: CPE-Lyon, University of Perugia, and University of Strathclyde
• Have completed no more than three years of university and will not complete the bachelor’s degree until after program participation

Participating universities may have additional eligibility guidelines for students. For more information, contact:

• CPE Lyon: Professor Tony Smith
• University of Perugia: Professor Antonio Laganà
• University of Strathclyde: Professor Peter Skabara

Student Expectations and Responsibilities

Students accepted to the program are expected to:

• Work full-time (40+ hours per week) in the laboratory over the 10-week program period.
• Adhere to specific requirements of the REU program that accepts you. Some programs require participants to prepare and submit a full scientific report, an abstract, and a poster of research results. Be sure to provide a copy of your program’s requirements to ACS.
• Maintain communication with ACS program organizers while in the United States via email, phone, or other means.
• Complete program entrance and exit surveys and respond to future surveys on matters such as career or graduate school choice.

How do I apply?

The deadline to apply for an internship is January 31, 2010.

1. Complete the online application form. You will receive an automatic email confirming receipt of your application when it is submitted. Be sure to follow the instructions on the application carefully. You may list multiple institutions and rank them in order of preference. In the event that you are accepted to two institutions, the final placement will be made based on your background, training, and the needs of the research projects.
2. Arrange for two professors (at least one must be a chemistry professor) to complete the online recommendation form by January 31, 2010. Be sure to provide your professors with the link. Professors will receive an automatic email confirming that their recommendation has been received. ACS prefers this secure electronic method to receive recommendations. However, if your recommenders insist on sending a letter by mail, please have them send it to:
   
   American Chemical Society
   Office of International Activities, IREU Program
   1155 16th Street, NW
   Washington, D.C. 20036
   USA
3. Send an official transcript of your grades by January 31, 2010, to:
   
   American Chemical Society
   Office of International Activities, IREU Program
   1155 16th Street, NW
   Washington, D.C. 20036
   USA

When will I be informed about acceptance to the program?

You will be informed between March 15 and April 1, 2010.

Participating U.S. Institutions (Summer 2010)

This list is updated as REU sites join the program. Check back frequently for updates.

Questions?

If you have questions or would like more information, please email ireu@acs.org.