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. 
Research Experience Fellowship

The Research Experience Fellowship (REF), formerly the Call for Fall Proposals, can provide reimbursement for research-related expenses. Funded awards are intended for use of project supplies and expenses and typically range from $250 – $1,000 per individual project, with higher amounts available for group projects. These awards are for research being carried out by current UCI students for up to one year (fall 2022 through summer 2023), or until graduation, whichever comes first. Students who do not need funding may apply for non-funded recognition.

NEW! Funding of up to $3,000 is available for team projects that are interdisciplinary in nature and led by two or more faculty or graduate student mentors from at least two different schools, or two different departments within a school.

Fall 2022 Deadline:
November 2, 2022 at 11:59 pm

Details and Requirements

Apply as an individual or a group. Students are expected to present their research at the Spring Research Symposium the year following their award.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Current UCI undergraduate student through at least winter quarter 2023
  • Good academic standing
  • UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
  • Limited to one individual funding request per cycle (can also participate in group funded proposal and/or submit another for non-funded recognition)

Application Materials:

  • Online Application
  • Proposal
  • Personal Statement
  • Faculty Mentor Agreement Form
  • Projects involving human and/or animal subjects must adhere to UCI’s research protections. Students and Faculty Mentors should review the Research Protections Instructions to determine if IRB or IACUC review is required, and if applicable, recieve guidance on procedural details.

Application Instructions:

    Distinguished Research Fellowship

    In a change from previous years, the Call for Spring Proposals is now the Distinguished Research Fellowship, with higher amounts of funding available to a limited number of student projects. Details about the Distinguished Research Fellowship Proposals will be available in winter quarter.

    Spring 2023 Deadline:
    TBD – late March or early April 2023

    Details and Requirements

    Apply as an individual or a group.  Students are expected to present their research at the Spring Research Symposium the year following their award.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    • Current UCI undergraduate student through at least summer 2023
    • Good academic standing
    • UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
    • Limited to one individual funding request per cycle (can also participate in group funded proposal and/or submit for an additional honorary fellowship)

    Application Materials:  (From 2022 for reference. Please check back in January 2023 for updated instructions).

    • Online Application
    • Proposal
    • Personal Statement
    • Faculty Mentor Agreement Form
    • Projects involving human and/or animal subjects must adhere to UCI’s research protections.  Students and Faculty Mentors should review the Research Protections Instructions to determine if IRB or IACUC review is required, and if applicable, recieve guidance on procedural details.

    Application Instructions:

    • Review the UROP Proposal Guidelines
    • Attend or watch a recording of the UROP Proposal Writing Workshop (optional)
    • Begin an Online Application to see further instructions and save as a draft until complete
    • Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents by the deadline
    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 flexible and dependent on student need and the time commitment of the project. They are capped at $3,000, with an average award of $1,500.

    Summer 2023 Deadline:
    TBD – late March or early April 2023

    Details and Requirements

    SURP awards are individual awards. Students are expected to present their research at the Spring Research Symposium the year following their award.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    • Current UCI undergraduate student through at least fall quarter 2023
    • Good academic standing
    • UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
    • Some prior research experience. Recommended: at least one quarter working on a research project at UCI
    • Limited to one award per summer

    Application Materials: (From 2022 for reference. Please check back in January 2023 for updated instructions).

    Application Instructions:

    • Review the SURP Proposal Guidelines
    • Attend or watch a recording of the UROP Proposal Writing Workshop (optional)
    • Begin an Online Application to see further instructions and save as a draft until complete
    • Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents by the deadline
    NEW! Travel or Publication Award

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

    Fall 2022 Deadline:
    November 21, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    Winter or Spring 2023 Deadlines:
    One deadline per quarter – Dates TBD

    Details and Requirements

    Purpose: To assist with 1) travel-related expenses for undergraduates who are presenting at a conference, 2) traveling to a research destination (e.g. archaeological dig in Arizona), or 3) incur expenses related to publishing their research.

    Eligibility Requirements

    • Current UCI undergraduate student through the time the activity occurs
    • Good academic standing
    • UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
    • Limited to one funding request per term
    • Limited to one award per academic year
    • Activity must take place during the 2022-23 academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer). Activity does not need to occur in the same quarter in which the award is received.

    These are individual awards. If multiple students from the same lab or project apply, the number of awards per project may be limited.

    Required Application Materials

    • Online application
    • Research Abstract or Description
    • Personal Statement and Budget
    • Activity Verification

    Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents online by the deadline.

    NOTE TO 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.