UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

UROP Opportunities

UROP provides recognition and funding to UCI undergraduate students from all disciplines in support of research or creative activities under the guidance of UCI faculty members.

NEW for 2023-24: The Spring Distinguished Research Fellowship is no longer being offered. Students who wish to apply for recognition and/or funding during the academic year should apply in the Fall, as this is the only UROP opportunity to receive reimbursement for research-related expenses during the academic year.

Research Experience Fellowship

Provides recognition and reimbursement for project-related expenses during the academic year.

Application Deadline: Fall

Interdisciplinary Research Teams

Calit2 has partnered with UROP to provide research-related supplies to interdisciplinary graduate/undergraduate teams during the academic year.

Application Deadline: Fall

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Individual stipend for faculty-mentored summer research.

Application Deadline: Spring

Travel or Publication Award

Individual stipend for research-related travel or publication expenses.

Application Deadlines in Fall, Winter, and Spring

Research Experience Fellowship

The Research Experience Fellowship (REF) provides recognition and/or funding for faculty mentored research and creative activity project related expenses. Funded awards are intended as reimbursement for project supplies and expenses. Awards typically range from $250 – $1,000 maximum per individual project, with higher amounts of up to $2,500 maximum available for group projects. These awards are for research being carried out by current UCI students for up to one year (fall 2023 through summer 2024), or until graduation, whichever comes first. Students who do not need funding may apply for non-funded recognition. Awardees are required to present their research at the Spring Research Symposium the within the year of receiving their award.

NEW for 2023-24: The Spring Distinguished Research Fellowship has been discontinued. Students who wish to apply for recognition and/or funding during the academic year should apply in the Fall, as this is the only UROP opportunity to receive reimbursement for research-related expenses during the academic year.

Fall 2023 Deadline:
November 13, 2023 at 11:59 pm. The Fall 2023 application window has closed.

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • You may apply as an individual or a group
  • Must be a current UCI undergraduate student through at least winter quarter 2024
  • Must have UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
  • Maximum of one individual funding request per student this quarter (can also participate in funded group proposal and/or submit another proposal for non-funded recognition)
  • Please note that you may apply for a project that has been funded in the past, but you must update your proposal to include work that has already been done on the project, likely including changes to the introduction, timeline and budget, among other areas

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

First, review the Proposal Guidelines

Your application must include the following documents:

Resources to help with your application:

 

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents online by the deadline of November 13, 2023 at 11:59 pm.  The Fall 2023 application window has closed (except for Engineering Senior Design projects).

Engineering Senior Design Project students: Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents online by the deadline specified in your class and on the proposal guidlines in the application link below.

Interdisciplinary Research Teams

Calit2 has partnered with UROP to provide funding of up to $3,000 for team projects that are interdisciplinary in nature and led by one graduate student and 2-4 undergraduate students. Undergraduate students on a team should come from at least two different schools, or two different departments within a school. Awards will provide research-related supplies to teams during the academic year. More Details.

Note that graduate student leads must submit purchase orders for supplies to Calit2, who will make all purchases. All funding must be expended by the end of May.

Fall 2023 Deadline:
November 6, 2023 at 11:59 pm. The Fall 2023 application window has closed.

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • Must be part of a graduate and undergraduate student team working on a project that is interdisciplinary in nature
  • Must be a current UCI student through at least spring quarter 2024
  • Graduate students must have UCI Faculty Advisor and departmental approval
  • Undergraduate students must be from at least two different schools, or two different departments within a school. Preference is given to teams with students from different schools.
  • Maximum of one award per team and student.
  • Undergraduate students can apply to both the Interdisciplinary Research Teams award and the Research Experience Fellowship in the same quarter, but can only receive one funded award.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

First, review the Proposal Guidelines

Your application must include the following documents:

  • Proposal
  • Personal Statement
  • Graduate Student Mentor Agreement Form

Resources to help with your application:

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents online by the deadline of November 6, 2023 at 11:59 pm. The Fall 2023 application window has closed.

Call for Summer Proposals

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is a research fellowship for UCI undergraduate students. It is aimed at students with some prior research experience who plan to continue an intensive, faculty mentored research experience over the summer. The fellowships are typically for 10 weeks, with a commitment of 20 hours per week. However, the total time commitment is flexible and should be appropriate for the proposed project. The award amounts are expected to be approximately $1,500. This award is a stipend that is given directly to students in support of their time and effort. Awardees who are continuing students are required to present their research at the Spring Research Symposium in the year following receiving their award.

Summer 2024 Deadline:
Early-April 2024. Exact date TBD

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • You may apply as an individual only (Members of group projects must independently submit their individual applications)
  • Must be a current UCI undergraduate student through at least fall quarter 2024
  • Must have UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
  • Maximum of one individual funding request per student 

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Updated application information for Summer 2024 will be posted here by early March 2024. Information will be similar to last summer, which is included below for reference.

Review the SURP Proposal Guidelines

Your application must include the following documents:

Resources to help with your application:

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents online by the deadline in early-April 2024. Exact date TBD.

Updated application for Summer 2024 will be linked here by early-March 2024.

Travel or Publication Award

Undergraduate students who need monetary support for travel or publication expenses may apply for a UROP Travel or Publication Award.

Purpose: To assist with any of the following

  1. Travel-related expenses for undergraduates who are presenting at a conference
  2. Traveling to a research destination (e.g. archaeological dig in Arizona)
  3. Incur expenses related to publishing their research

Applicants must show proof of acceptance to eligible activity at the time of application, and there is one application deadline per quarter.

Fall 2023 Deadline:
November 6, 2023. The Fall 2023 application window has closed.

Winter 2024 Deadline:
TBD in winter quarter

Spring 2024 Deadline:
TBD in spring quarter

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • Must be a current UCI undergraduate student through the time the activity occurs and quarter in which you apply for this award
  • Must have UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
  • Maximum of one individual funding request per term
  • Maximum of one award per academic year
  • Activity must take place during the 2023-24 academic year (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024).
  • Activity does not need to occur in the same quarter in which the award is received.
  • Note: These are individual awards. If multiple students from the same lab or project apply, the number of awards per project may be limited.

  • FINANCIAL AID STUDENTS: This award will be reported to the UCI Financial Aid Office and may affect your financial aid award package. Full financial aid students who have accepted all of their aid may have their loans reduced if they receive this award. Please consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine how your financial aid may be affected.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Your application must include the following:

  • Online Application Form
  • Research Abstract or Activity Description
  • Personal Statement and Budget
  • Activity Verification (Must show proof of selection for eligible activity)

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Submit your application and all supplementary documents online by the deadline of November 6, 2023 at 11:59 pm. The Fall 2023 application window has closed.