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OVERVIEW

The URC-Sciences’ 2023-2024 Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP) is a two-quarter program that supports UCLA students who are conducting a life science, physical science, or engineering research project with a UCLA faculty during Winter 2024 and Spring 2024.

The URFP is designed to support students who are early-on in their undergraduate research experiences. Students will enroll in RES PRC 103 – Student Research Forum in Winter 2024 (T/R, 2:00-4:00 PM), an academic and professional development seminar for undergraduate STEM researchers. All students also qualify for academic scholarships up to $3,000. Applications are accepted in Fall 2023.

This program is distinct and separate from the URC-HASS Undergraduate Research Fellows Program. Students conducting research projects in the humanities, arts, or social sciences should apply to the URFP offered by the Undergraduate Research Center – Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

Students conducting interdisciplinary research should refer to this webpage to determine which Undergraduate Research Center’s URFP is most appropriate to apply to.

ELIGIBILITY

  • 2.5 GPA minimum
  • Must have a current life science, physical science, or engineering research project with a UCLA faculty
  • Expected graduation date of Spring 2024 or later
  • Have not completed a prior year’s Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP) or Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP), and not concurrently participating in the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP)
  • No citizenship requirement – undocumented and international students are welcome to apply
  • Visiting students are not eligible for this program
  • Note: Students who will 1) be employed by their research lab/group or 2) be receiving scholarship support for their research during Winter and Spring 2024 are eligible to apply to the URFP. However, they will only be considered for the RES PRC 103 Seminar Course and are not eligible to receive the URFP’s financial scholarship support.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Maintain full-time student status (enrolled in 12 units minimum) during Winter and Spring 2024
  • Conduct your proposed research project during winter and spring quarters with your UCLA Faculty Research Mentor
  • Enroll in an SRP-99 or departmental 196, 198, or 199 research course with your UCLA Faculty Research Mentor for both quarters
  • Enroll and receiving a passing grade in RES PRC 103 (Instructor: J. Avila) during Winter 2024. This course is mandatory. Students who are accepted into the URFP but do not enroll or complete the course will be dismissed from the program. Do not apply to the URFP if you have conflicting obligations with RES PRC 103 .
  • Either:
    1. Present your research at the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase in May 2024, or
    2. Submit a comprehensive research paper at the end of Spring 2024
  • Submit a thank you letter to the donor(s) who supported your scholarship
  • Complete the exit survey in Spring 2024

RES PRC 103

Course Description: Lecture/activities, four hours. Designed to promote deep engagement in university research, including instruction on securing research opportunities, skills necessary for research and professional success, exploring research internships on and off campus, and communication of research across all disciplines. P/NP grading.

RES PRC 103 is an academic and professional development seminar for undergraduate STEM researchers. Students who are accepted into the URFP are required to enroll and complete RES PRC 103 in Winter 2024. The course is taught by the URFP Director, Dr. Jorge A. Avila. Meeting times for Dr. Avila’s section are T/R, 2:00-4:00 PM. Students must enroll in the course section (Section 1). Other RES PRC 103 sections are offered but are reserved for students participating in other academic scholarship programs.

SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING

All students qualify for academic scholarships up to $3000. Scholarships are disbursed through UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships in two equal installments, once at the beginning of each quarter. Scholarship payments are applied to BruinBill.

*Important Financial Aid Implications: If you are receiving financial aid, your package may be adjusted so you do not exceed your financial need or cost of attendance. Check with UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships to see if you can accept this scholarship. Applicants do not need to qualify for or be receiving financial aid to be eligible for the URFP scholarship.

APPLICATION

  • October 15 – November 15, 2023
  • The application can be accessed as a Survey on MyUCLA under the “Campus Life” tab during the application period. See the Application page for more information.

CONTACT

Dr. Jorge Avila
Program Director
javila@college.ucla.edu