Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident?
Yes, BU RET participants are funded by the National Science Foundation and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Are student teachers or senior college education majors eligible?
No, only current certified teachers at public high schools and community college faculty members are eligible.

What research projects are available this year?
Projects will be uploaded throughout the spring. Please refer to our Past Summer Projects and Past Participants pages to understand the types of projects we offer.

How do you match participants to research groups?
The placement of RET participants in research groups is based on interests and experience. Physics teachers will likely be placed in mechanical engineering or optics labs; biology teachers will work in biomedical engineering labs; and chemistry teachers might work in labs focused on materials science.

When is the application deadline?
The deadline for applications is April 15 at 11:59p.m.

Is there an application fee?
No, there is no fee to apply for the RET program.

When do teachers find out if they’ve been accepted into the RET program?
We work on a rolling admissions basis and could begin accepting teachers in March. We expect to notify all applicants no later than May 1.

What are the selection criteria? What is the selection process?
Applications are reviewed by the program administrators and faculty members involved in the RET program. Teachers will be selected based on their interest in research, teaching experience, alignment with our program’s focus areas, and potential to incorporate research experiences into their classroom curriculum.

Does this program provide housing?
No, this program is for teachers who live and work in Boston and surrounding communities. Participants are expected to commute to BU each day of the six-week program.

Is the starting date flexible?
Only in rare circumstances may it be possible to adjust the starting date.

What are the working hours?
The program will run from Monday through Friday, from approximately 9 am to 5 pm. We do accommodate summer teaching schedules for community college faculty participants.

Should I bring a car to campus?
Parking passes are provided for participants who opt to drive to BU. MBTA passes are provided for teachers who opt to take public transportation.

Can I take a summer course while in the RET program?
No, the RET program requires a full-time commitment that does not allow time for additional summer coursework.