UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH WEEK 2025
UCLA ranks among the top research universities in the world, and undergraduate research and creative inquiry are key components of the Bruin experience. Undergraduate Research Week celebrates the innovative work of students across campus who are performing research and creative inquiry in all disciplines.
Undergraduate Research Week is a week-long celebration of undergraduate research and creative inquiry at UCLA. Students from all disciplines gather to share their innovative and impactful work with the UCLA community at events such as the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase. Now in its eleventh year, Undergraduate Research Week is UCLA’s largest undergraduate conference.
Undergraduate Research Week 2025 will be held May 19-23, 2025.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH & CREATIVITY SHOWCASE
The Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase is UCLA’s premier undergraduate research symposium. Over one thousand students will gather virtually during Undergraduate Research Week to share their work on student-initiated and faculty-led research and creative projects in livestreamed panels in May 2024 and as recorded presentations and multimedia throughout the week.
DEAN’S PRIZE
The Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Research and Creative Inquiry is awarded for outstanding presentations at the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase. Seniors who are conducting life science, physical science, or engineering research may submit a supplemental application to be judged by UCLA faculty members. This award identifies students who exemplify excellence in presentation of their faculty-mentored research. Award winners are recognized at the Undergraduate Research Week Awards Ceremony.
For more information and for a list of recent winners, visit the Undergraduate Research Week website.
FACULTY MENTOR AWARD
The Undergraduate Research Week Faculty Mentor Award honors the considerable dedication of UCLA faculty who consistently and enthusiastically serve as effective mentors to undergraduate students involved in research and creative projects. Students are encouraged to nominate any UCLA faculty member who has supported their professional development through a mutually trusting and respectful relationship. Award recipients will be recognized at the Undergraduate Research Week Awards Ceremony.
For more information, visit the Undergraduate Research Week website.
To enhance student engagement and prepare students to present their projects, the Undergraduate Research Center – Sciences will host several workshops leading up to the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase. These workshops are specifically designed for students presenting life science, physical science, and engineering research projects. Visit the Events page to register for an upcoming workshop.
WRITING AN ABSTRACT
Our Graduate Student Mentors will show you how to effectively summarize your research by writing an abstract. These workshops are designed for students conducting research in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering, and will prepare attendees to submit an abstract for the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase and other conferences.
ABSTRACT FEEDBACK SESSIONS
Bring a printout of your abstract draft and meet one-on-one with one of our Graduate Student Mentors to get personalized feedback. These feedback sessions are designed for students conducting research in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering, and will prepare attendees to submit an abstract for the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase and other conferences. Feedback sessions will be held in-person from April 3-13, 2023. These sessions will be drop-in and first come, first served; no advance registration is required.
PRESENTING YOUR RESEARCH
Our Graduate Student Mentors will show you how to translate your research project into an accessible presentation. These workshops are designed for students conducting research in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering, and will prepare attendees for presenting a virtual or prerecorded presentation at the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
Preparing for your Presentation (coming soon!)
What to Expect at Research Poster Day
ARTICLES
Ten Simple Rules for Better Figures (PLOS)
How to give a dynamic scientific presentation (Elsevier)