Center for OLDest Ice EXploration (COLDEX) REU: Summer 2026

Overview

The United States NSF Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX) is a Science and Technology Center based at Oregon State University with partners across 14 institutions. NSF COLDEX has the mission to: Explore Antarctica for the oldest possible ice core to discover what Earth’s climate was like over 1 million years ago Share how our ice core research helps answer questions about the current state of climate change through effective science communication Increase the diversity of future polar researchers through inclusive educational programs like this REU! What will your summer look like with the NSF COLDEX REU? Work in a research lab with NSF COLDEX researchers working on topics in either Antarctic ice core chemical analysis, oldest ice exploration, ice flow modeling, engineering, or science communication. Note: the NSF COLDEX REU does not include field work in Antarctica Participate in an online orientation at the beginning of the summer and meet virtually each week with the REU cohort for professional development workshops and other group activities Get involved in discussions about the future of NSF COLDEX research through monthly research seminars and meetings What does participation in the NSF COLDEX REU include? A $6,000 stipend for approximately 10 weeks of full-time research work (exact dates of the REU will depend on student and mentor agreed schedule) Roundtrip travel to your host institution Housing at your host location Roundtrip travel to the in-person NSF COLDEX annual meeting, September 2026. Up to $2000 to present your NSF COLDEX research at a professional science conference such as the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, the National Diversity in STEM Conference, or the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting. Note: Host locations described may vary by year. Please visit https://coldex.org/reu to preview application questions, get tips for resumes, and view selection rubric.