UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PORTAL
Below is a list of research programs from our campus partners. You can also visit the Undergraduate Research Portal for a more expansive list of current available research opportunities for students. You can find the portal under the ‘Academics’ tab on MyUCLA.
MAXIMIZING ACCESS TO RESEARCH CAREERS (MARC) U*STAR PROGRAM
The Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) U*STAR Program is a two-year program that seeks to strengthen the skills and research training of students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. This program is appropriate for students interested in pursuing a PhD or dual PhD degree upon completion of their baccalaureate degree.
The MARC Program offers research training, financial support, mentoring, networking opportunities and academic preparation for strong and motivated students.
MCNAIR RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The UCLA McNair Research Scholars Program is a two-year program for students interested in pursuing a PhD. The program is open to juniors and transfer students in Life Sciences and Physical Sciences (as well as those in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences).
DEAN’S AWARD FOR LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH
The Dean’s Award for Life Science Research is a quarterly financial award. Applications are open to Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors majoring in Life Science fields. Open to AB540 students.
LIFE SCIENCE DEAN’S AWARD FOR NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH – SCHEIBEL SCHOLARS
The Life Science Dean’s Award for Neuroscience Research – Scheibel Scholars funds outstanding undergraduates majoring in Neuroscience IDP (uNSIDP) interested in research. Open to rising juniors and seniors. Please be advised that students may not hold two research awards at one time, so students currently being funded through programs such as MARC or I 2 URP are not eligible.
PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS (PROPS)
The UCLA Psychology Research Opportunity Programs (PROPS) provide financial support and professional development to underrepresented students conducting research with UCLA Psychology faculty.
QUEEN’S ROAD FOUNDATION UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
The Queen’s Road Foundation is supporting undergraduate scholarships in the Division of Physical Sciences through the establishment of the Queen’s Road Foundation Undergraduate Fellows Fund.
Each year, one student from each department within the Division of Physical Sciences will be selected to receive a fellowship. U.S. citizenship or residency will not be a requirement as a recipient of this award, but students must be enrolled full-time with a declared major in one of the Physical Sciences departments.
SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAMS
CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Program offers UCLA undergraduates the opportunity to carry out research with a Chemistry or Biochemistry faculty mentor during the summer. The mentor must agree to supervise the student during the summer.
HENRY SAMUELI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIENCE SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM (SURP)
The Samueli School of Engineering’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is an umbrella organization that administers and scaffolds summer undergraduate research opportunities within UCLA Engineering. Visit the SURP website for more information.
INSTITUTE FOR PURE & APPLIED MATH (IPAM) RESEARCH IN INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS
IPAM offers several versions of its Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS) program, a summer research experience for students of math and related disciplines. Students work in teams on projects sponsored by industry.   The application process begins in November for the following summer. Undergraduate students may apply to RIPS-LA and RIPS-Singapore; graduate students may apply to GRIPS-Berlin or GRIPS-Sendai, for a specific project. Please check the webpages for application deadlines and details.
JOINT INSTITUTE FOR REGIONAL EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (JIFRESSE)
The UCLA Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science and Engineering allows undergraduates the chance to work on one of six projects focused on Earth systems in the Southern California region in a scientific collaboration between UCLA and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
LIFE SCIENCE DEAN’S AWARD FOR SUMMER
The Life Science Dean’s Award for Summer is awarded to support undergraduates conducting research during the summer in their educational and career goals. Open to AB540 students.
PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM
The UCLA Physics and Astronomy Department’s Undergraduate Summer Research Program is a 10 week opportunity explicitly for the UCLA Physics and Astronomy department students. Faculty will define a number of available research projects.
UCLA BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH MINOR
The UCLA Minor in Biomedical Research was designed to make laboratory research a core part of the scientific curriculum as early as the first year of college. Independent research is complemented by coursework that develops important skills such as critical thinking, analysis of research literature and data presentation. In addition, an ethics and social science component trains students to recognize the political, social and philosophical issues facing science today.
RALPH J. BUNCHE UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
UCLA’s Bunche Undergraduate Fellowship  funds undergraduate students to study the conditions of Black life. Recipients of the fellowship are matched with a Faculty Mentor and required to take a research course each quarter of their fellowship year (fall through summer) with BFP Faculty Director, Dr. Walter Allen. Priority is given to African American Studies majors and minors
CEED’S RISE-UP PROGRAM
The purpose of the RISE-UP Program (Research Intensive Series in Engineering for Underrepresented Populations) is to keep CEED’s engineering and computing students, particularly from underrepresented groups, interested in the excitement of learning. The ultimate goal of this program is to encourage these young scholars to go on to graduate school and perhaps the professoriate. RISE-UP challenges and inspires students to stay in engineering and computing or to use those problem-solving skills no matter their future endeavors. In addition to conducting research, RISE-UP Scholars also attend workshops on preparing for graduate school and present their work at the annual CEED RISE-UP Poster Competition in August of each year.
PATHWAY TO A PHD IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND NORTHERN AFRICA
The Pathway to a PhD program offers an exciting 8-week introduction to the study of ancient Egypt. The course will cover all aspects of this fascinating culture, from the language and hieroglyphic writing system to Egyptian religion, art, and history, with a special focus on the role that race has played in the study of this ancient African culture. Throughout the summer, we’ll also explore the vibrant connections between ancient Egyptian culture and modern African American communities that appear in art, music, literature, and many other aspects of popular culture. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about Rihanna’s tattoos, the Afrofuturism of Sun Ra, or the Egyptian-inspired bodysuits in Beyonce’s Homecoming, then consider spending your summer with us at UCLA!
UCLA/GETTY PROGRAM IN THE CONSERVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS
The aim of the UCLA/Getty Master’s Program on the Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials is to provide students with a solid educational base and practical training in both archaeological and ethnographic materials, as well as an appreciation of the often complex range of issues relating to significance, access, and use of these materials, which—in many cases—sets them apart from fine art or historical materials. The program facilitates an understanding of the multiple values and meanings these materials may still have for indigenous populations, and fosters a sense of partnership with stakeholder communities in relevant aspects of conservation decision making.
CENTER FOR DIVERSE LEADERSHIP IN SCIENCE
The Center For Diverse Leadership in Science fellowship is a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to build community, grow leadership skills, engage in collaborative research, and gain support. Fellows advance skills and solve environmental problems through hands-on research experience. Research facilitates engagement, active learning, and a deepening of understanding through the application of knowledge. They are in environments where they work as part of research teams, and receive mentorship from trained and supportive senior mentors, and from peer mentors. In addition, fellows are asked to mentor peers and more junior fellows, and to work in groups to engage in outreach. The structure we use encourages the fellows to see themselves as both teachers and learners. The approach promotes shared values, leadership, and communication. It also leads to a sense of fulfillment and community, which supports persistence.
PATHWAYS SUMMER SCHOLAR AND LIFE SCIENCES SCHOLARSHIP
The UCLA-HHMI Pathways to Success Program is an opportunity for first-year undergraduates to participate in cutting-edge biological research and be part of a rigorous academic support community as they matriculate through UCLA. Students who actively participate in the program:
1) Get early, hands-on research experience
2) Perform better in their lower division science courses
3) Develop strong and meaningful relationships with faculty and graduate students through mentorship and,
4) Become a part of a tight-knit science community.
Scholars can apply for up to $2500 support for 8-weeks of summer research.
RICHARD MORGAN UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER FELLOWSHIP (MD-PHD)
The new UCLA M.D.-Ph.D. Summer Research Fellowship Program, launching in summer of 2021, will provide access and support to UCLA undergraduate students to conduct research in some of the most competitive research laboratories at UCLA. After completion of the summer program, participating students will continue to receive mentorship and guidance by our faculty as they apply for M.D.-Ph.D. programs. In our inaugural year, we aim to open two or three fellowships to qualified candidates demonstrating resilience, ingenuity, creative thinking, and leadership potential. Each summer, students will complete an eight-week research program with individualized mentorship and a stipend for living expenses.
BRUINS IN GENOMICS UNDERGRAD SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM
Bruins-in-Genomics (B.I.G Summer) is an 8-week, full-time immersion internship for undergraduates interested in research that involves the analysis of biomedical data and biological systems. Students learn the cutting-edge research methods and work within labs of leading scientists to solve real-world problems. In addition to the the introductory workshops in in bioinformatics methods B.I.G Summer offers career development workshops, graduate school preparation, and networking for undergraduates interested in quantitative and computational biosciences.
CENTER FOR INTEGRATED CATALYSIS SUMMER REU
The Center for Integrated Catalysis Summer REU (C.I.C Summer REU) is an 8-week, full time paid program that encourages undergraduates to participate in research and science communication for sustainable catalysis. For our 2022 program, undergraduates affiliated from 4 institutions (Boston College, University of California Los Angeles, University of Houston and University of North Carolina) will work closely with faculty and other researchers to develop their problem-solving skills and gain exposure to cutting-edge chemical research. In addition, a variety of outreach projects are made, including interviews, blog posts and even TikTok videos!
DAVID HAROLD BLACKWELL SUMMER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The David Harold Blackwell Summer Research Institute is a six-week competitive summer activity designed to provide research experience to talented undergraduate students. Students will conduct research in Applied Probability, Analysis, or Theoretical Computer Science, under the supervision of faculty members who are experts in these areas. During the program, each participant will conduct research on one of the UC Campuses under the direction of a faculty member and receive funding for six weeks of lodging, meals and incidentals. After the six-week program, each participant will continue receiving advice from their program mentor for graduate school applications and get connected as needed to students with more experience.
BREAK THROUGH TECH AI at UCLA
The Break Through Tech AI Program helps students gain the skills they need to get jobs in the fastest-growing areas of tech: data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Developed by industry and academic leaders, students begin with a summer ML Engineering curriculum that teaches the critical, practical skills that help qualify candidates for entry-level jobs in the field including skills in building data analysis pipelines, training and validating ML models, while gaining experience with common ML/AI libraries. Next, students join the AI Studio where they work in teams to solve industry challenges and develop a portfolio of AI projects that demonstrate their capabilities. Throughout the program, students receive career coaching, mentorship and summer internship placement support, all aimed at helping participants successfully launch their AI tech career.