Frequently Asked Questions

Research is an opportunity to personalize and enhance your education. By delving deeply into a project that excites you, you’ll apply knowledge from your classes, gain important skills, make real-world contributions, and develop relationships that can last for years. One great reason to try research is to see if it’s something that appeals to you. Research experience can also be an important asset in graduate school and job applications.

Attend a Workshop or watch the workshop recordings to learn about your options.  Visit our main web page’s “Getting Started” section (scroll toward the bottom).  Follow the steps and use the recommended tools.  If you still need help after you do so, schedule an appointment with a UROP Advisor or Ambassador.

We encourage students from all majors to get involved in research, and your project does not have to be related to your major. Find a topic that excites you, whether it’s related to your major or not.

Common types of projects include:

• Individual & Group Projects
• Laboratory, Design, or Artistic Projects
• Senior Theses/Literature Reviews
• Scholarly Work in Humanities/Social Sciences
• Surveys/Interviews/Psychology Experiments/Observational Studies

Generally, 10-15 hours per week during the academic year. Most faculty mentors would like a commitment of at least one year. Summer commitments vary and typically range from 15-30 hours per week (average 20 hours per week).

Many students take 199 or other Independent Study courses and get academic credit (from 1-5 units). Talk with your faculty mentor if you’re interested in receiving academic credit for your research.

• Start with faculty you know; go to office hours to get to know them and learn more about their research
• Review faculty profiles on the UCI Faculty Profile System
• Review their publications on Google Scholar
• Check their personal and lab websites
• Use the Sample Faculty Email to contact them

While there are no campus-wide eligibility requirements, individual faculty may have their own standards for students they will mentor.

Students conducting many types of research, including laboratory work, can apply for recognition and funding during the academic year and summer.

Yes. You can apply as long as you are a UCI undergraduate in good academic standing.

Yes. You can submit Fall and SURP (summer) proposals for different projects or the same project, although you are limited to one funded individual project within the same call (you can also participate in funded Fall group projects). Funded awards for Fall proposals reimburse you for project-related costs; SURP stipends are in support of your time and effort.

Any UCI undergraduate conducting a faculty-mentored research project or creative activity may apply to present at the Symposium. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Students may present only one individual project, but may also participate in a group presentation.

UCI graduate students from any discipline, who have completed the Mentorship Excellence Program (MEP), will be enrolled through spring 2025, and are able to attend RDP in person are eligible to apply.

Please note that preference is given to those who have not participated in the Research Discovery Program in previous years.

Students who are committed to diversity and have overcome significant challenges are strongly encouraged to apply!

Yes, mentors are required to attend training before the start of winter quarter. Exact date TBD.

Each graduate student mentor will be matched with four undergraduate student mentees. 

In the interest of providing greater networking and skill building opportunities for both mentors and mentees, the Research Discovery Program is strictly in person.

Mentors will complete approximately two hours of work per week. This work includes but is not limited to in-person group meeting, in-person individual meetings, and grading. Mentors will be required to attend select class meetings, exact dates TBD. 

A great amount of care is taken in matching graduate student mentors with undergraduate mentees. However, there is no guarantee that your mentee will be an exact match for your expertise. Matches are determined using the students’ school, major, or research interest.

In the event you are not matched with a mentee in your exact field, the program is designed so that all students benefit equally from their mentorship experience.

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Follow the steps under our main web page’s “Getting Started” section so that we can assist you.