<p>Newbyreborn,</p>
<p>The Department of Energy runs programs somewhat similar to the REU. See <a href="http://bohr.winthrop.edu/sumres.html%5B/url%5D">http://bohr.winthrop.edu/sumres.html</a> for some links. I don't know if these are any less competitive than the REU programs.
REU programs are very competitive because there are relatively few positions in a given field (~700 a year in chemistry, nationally) and more students keep applying to more and more programs. As usual, your best bet is to investigate closely and use the personal touch: find a program or 3 you really like and talk to/e-mail some of the professors there.</p>