At the present time there are two programs within the National Science Foundation (NSF) specifically dedicated to enabling students at undergraduate institutions to participate in research activities. They are the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program and the Research Experience for Undergraduate Site Programs. The REU Supplement Program allows current holders of NSF grants or cooperative agreements to submit requests to provide support for an undergraduate student, while the Sites Program is usually run at fairly large facilities where the infrastructure is large enough to absorb the number of students and staff-time is available to co-ordinate the program. This award will provide a mechanism of access to research funds to undergraduates not currently reached by these existing programs. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) will administer a program of REU supplements to be made available to faculty who currently do not hold grants from the NSF but who wish to involve undergraduates in their research activities. Applications will be made directly to the AAS for support of such students. The AAS will review the applications and select a group of twelve faculty who will, subject to the approval of the NSF, receive funds from this grant to enable an undergraduate at their institution to participate in the research activities of the faculty member.
