NanoNYC REU Site

The NanoNYC REU Site is an NSF-funded training program offering undergraduate students research opportunities in nanoscience and engineering. This collaborative Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site is a joint initiative between the Columbia University Nano Initiative (CNI) and the City University of New York (CUNY) Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC). The program focuses on nanoscience, a multidisciplinary field dedicated to understanding, measuring, manipulating, and applying matter at the smallest scale, with a growing emphasis on real-world applications and job opportunities. Participants gain hands-on research experience and access to advanced facilities and equipment for fabricating, synthesizing, and characterizing nanoscale devices and materials. These resources include new cleanrooms, imaging facilities with advanced microscopes, and chemistry labs at both the City University of New York and Columbia University. The program includes a 9-week long research period in a lab, complemented by weekly seminars and a tiered mentoring approach designed to foster relationships among students, mentors, and faculty. This structure also promotes the development of essential technical and laboratory skills. The collaboration between Columbia CNI and CUNY ASRC provides students with the unique experience of engaging with two distinct academic environments, representing both private and public institutions.