Summer Undergraduate Research Institute in Experimental Mathematics (SURIEM)
Overview
Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University will host the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute in Experimental Mathematics (SURIEM) in 2026. This eight-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is supported by Michigan State University (MSU) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Program Highlights
Participants will collaborate with faculty from these MSU units:
- Lyman Briggs College
- Department of Mathematics
- Department of Statistics and Probability
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Students will:
- Read and analyze research articles
- Formulate conjectures and construct examples
- Develop simulations through programming
- Engage in focused inquiry and discussion
- Generalize and simplify mathematical proofs
- Share discoveries through presentations
The program fosters an immersive environment where students explore novel mathematical ideas in small research teams, presenting progress regularly to peers and mentors.
Research Projects
Projects for 2026 are currently in development and will be posted here once available.
Examples of last year's projects include:
- Guessing Numbers Against Liars
- Spectral Theory for Discrete Periodic Operators
- Random Matrix Product States
- Games on Graphs
- Euler Characteristic Transform
Program Dates
The tentative dates for the 2026 program will be May 18 – July 10, 2026.
Stipend and Support
Each participant receives a summer stipend. Additional funding is available for conference travel, supported by MSU and the NSF.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
- Have completed at least one year as a full-time undergraduate
- Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program in Fall 2026
How to Apply
Directions are forthcoming.
Selection Criteria
Preference will be given to students early in their mathematical studies (e.g., rising sophomores or juniors). Competitive applicants will have completed:
- At least two semesters of calculus
- One proof-based mathematics course
Experience with or interest in programming is a plus. Applications will be reviewed starting in March and continue until all positions are filled.
Contact
For more information, please contact Dr. Robert Bell via email.
