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Overview

OVERVIEW

The URC-Sciences Summer Program is a 10-week opportunity for UCLA undergraduates to undertake research with a UCLA faculty and receive professional development through workshops and seminars. For summer 2026, the program will be held in person and run from June 22, 2026- August 28, 2026. Students undertaking research with a UCLA faculty are eligible. Part-time scholarships will be offered to students enrolling in UCLA Summer Sessions. 

ELIGIBILITY 

  • Be a UCLA student in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 or above (in the previous quarter and overall) 
  • Have a faculty research mentor for the summer and must have completed all required trainings for your laboratory* 
  • Not be currently receiving other summer funding of any type for work done in the laboratory (e.g. work study) 
  • Interested in pursuing a PhD or dual degree that includes a PhD (e.g. MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, DDS/PhD) 

*If you have not done research at UCLA, you should attend a Student Research Program (SRP) workshop. The workshops cover how to find a research mentor. Students should have a faculty mentor and be doing research in a lab by the start of spring quarter in order to be best prepared for the URC-Sciences Summer Program. 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 

  • Must be able to complete the entire 10-week program through approximately 40 hours per week spent on research activities in the Faculty Mentor’s lab. 
    • OR must be enrolled in summer classes and able to complete the entire 10-week program and conducting approximately 10 hours per week of research in the Faculty Mentor’s lab. Attend all required workshops, seminars, and social events, for summer 2025 and complete all assignments (Full-Time participants only) 
  • Attend all required workshops, seminars, and social events, for summer 2025 and complete all assignments (Full-Time participants only) 
    • Part-time participants must attend at least 2 URC-Sciences Summer Program workshops 
  • Submit a research abstract and deliver a research presentation at the end of the program  
    • Part-time participants will submit abstract at the end of Summer Session C, presentation optional. 
  • Complete a post-program survey 

SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING 

  • Full-time program participants can receive a stipend of up to $6000 
  • Part-time program participants can receive a stipend of up to $2000 
  • Your application to the URC-Sciences Summer Program will be considered for the following scholarships to support your summer research experience: 
    • Private donations (multiple donor sources) 
    • Federal and State grant funds (as available) 
    • Important Financial Aid Implications: If you are receiving financial aid for summer, your package may be adjusted so you do not exceed your financial need or cost of attendance. Check with the Financial Aid Office to see if you can accept this scholarship. Applicants do not need to qualify for or receive financial aid to be eligible for the URC-Sciences Summer scholarship. 
    • Eligibility for this program is constrained by the availability of funds of each funding source listed above and their associated eligibility restrictions. Upon acceptance, you will be asked to review and accept your designated scholarship offer. 
    • Some scholarship offers may require an interview with a program director 

APPLICATION

  • Application period for Summer 2026: January 12, 2026 – March 2, 2026

CONTACT

URC-Sciences Summer Program
Phone: 310-206-2182
Email: urcscisummer@college.ucla.edu

Application

APPLICATION PERIOD

  • All application materials are due by 11:59 PM on Monday, March 2, 2026
  • BEFORE YOU APPLY: Review the program’s eligibility requirements. No exceptions are made with regards to the basic eligibility requirements. Only UCLA undergraduate students are eligible for this program.

APPLICATION

A complete application contains ALL of the following components:

1. Online application:

  • Be prepared to share your research experience and your plans for research in the future.
  • Please note, the Online application can be found on students MyUCLA account, under the Campus Life tab (Survey). If you are unable to access the application, please send an email and share your UCLA UID ASAP!

2. One letter of recommendation:

Your letter of recommendation must be from your faculty mentor/PI at UCLA. They are in the best position to assess your ability for academic research and your motivation to attend graduate school (ask them to comment on both of these in their letter). Letters of recommendation should be submitted via email by a faculty mentor. We highly recommend you contact your faculty mentor for your letter of recommendation as soon as possible so that he/she/they has sufficient time to submit. Send letter to urcscisummer@college.ucla.edu.

3. Unofficial Transcript

4. Proof of completion of the Lab Safety Fundamental Concepts Course

Submit the following URC-Sciences Summer Program application materials: unofficial transcript, and proof of completion of the Lab Safety Fundamentals Concepts course via email to urcscisummer@college.ucla.edu

CONTACT

URC-Sciences Summer Program
Phone: 310-206-2182
Email: urcscisummer@college.ucla.edu