The Research Discovery Program (RDP) prepares undergraduates academically, professionally, and personally to conduct research at some point during their academic studies at UCI. Undergraduate participants (Mentees) take a class and attend group and individual meetings during winter and spring quarters. Mentees are matched with graduate students (Mentors) to support and guide them through the process.
We are seeking approximately 100 undergraduate students and 25 graduate students from any majors to join us as RDP Mentees and Mentors.
Undergraduate
Student Mentees
Graduate
Student Mentors
Donors
FAQ
Undergraduate Student Mentees
Application Deadline: Mid-November 2025
What You Will Gain:
- Mentorship: Mentees receive guidance from a graduate student mentor.
- Community: Build community at UCI by connecting with fellow undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and faculty.
- Professional Development: Attend lectures, student panels, faculty panels, and workshops on career readiness and research skills.
- Credit: Mentees enroll in a 1 unit class held in person in both winter AND spring quarters, and will receive a total of 2 units of academic credit.
Watch the recorded information session below for more details:
Eligibility
- First-year UCI undergraduates (freshmen or transfers) from any major.
- Must be enrolled and attend UCI in person through at least spring quarter 2026.
- Undergraduate students with no previous college or university-level research experience.
- Students who are committed to diversity and have overcome significant challenges are strongly encouraged to apply!
Program Requirements
- Enroll in and pass the 1 unit, in -person Uni Studies 3 course in both winter and spring quarters.
- Class time: Tuesdays, from 4-4:50pm.
- Weekly attendance required.
- Please note that Uni Studies courses can be taken a maximum of 3 times for credit.
- Participate in all Mentor meetings in both group and individual settings.
- Attend and volunteer at the Annual UC Irvine Undergraduate Research Symposium on Friday, May 15, 2026.
- Complete program evaluations for winter and spring.
- Attend the End of Year Celebration at the conclusion of the program.
- Goal: Submit at least one UROP proposal as an undergraduate student.
Submit Application
Application will open Fall 2025
Graduate Student Mentors
Application Deadline: Mid-November 2025
What You Will Gain:
- Mentoring Experience: Develop your skills while giving back by mentoring undergraduate students and helping to create a community of researchers.
- Professional Development: Facilitate group discussions and meetings focused on developing mentees’ research and career readiness skills.
- Funding: Mentors are expected to receive $1,500, divided into two equal payments at the end of winter and spring quarters.
Watch the recorded information session below for more details:
Eligibility
- Must be enrolled as a UCI graduate student and attend in person through at least spring quarter 2026.
- Preference is given to those who have completed the Mentoring Excellence Certificate Program (MEP) .
- Preference is given to those who have not served as a Research Discovery Program Mentor in the past.
- Students who are committed to diversity and have overcome significant challenges are strongly encouraged to apply!
Program Requirements
- Attend RDP Mentor Training on Thursday, January 8, 2025 from 4-6pm (subject to change).
- Facilitate discussions in group mentor-mentee meetings in both winter and spring quarters. Group mentor-mentee meetings will be held in person on select Tuesdays from 4-4:50 pm in winter and spring quarters. Exact dates TBD.
- Lead in person, individual mentor-mentee meetings outside of mentee class time.
- Track Mentee class assignments in Canvas on a weekly basis.
- Attend a mid-quarter mentor check-in week 5 of winter and spring quarter.
- Complete program evaluations for winter and spring quarter.
- Serve as an in-person poster judge at the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium on May 15, 2026 (alternative assignments will be given to those who cannot attend).
- Attend the End of Year Celebration at the conclusion of the program (if your schedule allows).
Submit Application
Application will open Fall 2025
Donors
Help us increase the accessibility of undergraduate research at UC Irvine!
Contact Information
Read more about the program on this webpage and contact us with questions:
Program Information:
Sharon Parks, UROP Director
sparks@uci.edu
(949) 824-5456
In RDP, I felt comfortable asking questions about research that I would have been afraid to ask otherwise. It is one of those rare spaces where there is no pressure to already know everything, and as a result, I gained the courage and resources to explore research outside the program; I joined a research group after my first quarter in the program and secured the SURP grant for the coming summer.
After hearing how many resources there were for research with no idea where to start, I joined the Research Discovery Program to learn more about what it truly means to get involved in research and build a strong network of supporters in my research journey!
The Research Discovery Program really helped shape what research looked like for me. I came into college knowing very little about what undergraduate research looked like, and RDP has helped make the process feel far less intimidating. It’s opened up doors for me to meet new people, learn new things, and push myself out of my comfort zone. I would encourage anyone curious about on campus research or seeking a community of motivated individuals to apply!
My mentor was very supportive and seemed to understand what I was going through. She was the first person in her family to pursue a career in STEM, was of Hispanic background, and was part of the LGBT+ community, which I think helped me a lot.