UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

UROP Recognition and Funding

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. Students receiving one or more of the awards below become UROP Fellows and present their projects at the annual UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium offered each May.

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

Provides recognition and individual stipend for faculty-mentored summer research.

Application Deadline: Spring

Travel or Publication Award

Provides recognition and funding 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 possible funding for faculty mentored research and creative activity project related expenses. Funded awards are intended as reimbursement for project supplies and expenses. Undergraduate students may request up to $1,000 maximum for individual projects, and $2,500 maximum for group projects. Average funded awards typically range from $250-$400 for individual projects and $600-$1,000 for group projects. These awards are for research being carried out by current UCI students for up to one year (fall 2024 through summer 2025), or until graduation, whichever comes first. Students who do not need funding may apply for non-funded recognition. UROP Fellows who are enrolled at UCI in spring quarter 2025 are required to present their project at the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium in May 2025.

Fall 2024 Deadline:
Friday November 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • All applicants and co-applicants (if group project) must be enrolled at UCI as degree-seeking undergraduate students through at least winter quarter 2025
  • Must have UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
  • Must be in good academic standing (2.0+ GPA)
  • You may apply as an individual or a group. If you are part of a group project but are submitting an individual application, your focus of the project must have unique independent aims which you must be able to articulate in your proposal. If multiple group members are submitting the same proposal, you should submit one group application instead of individual applications.
  • Maximum of one individual funding request per student for the REF Fellowship (can also submit another individual proposal for non-funded recognition and/or one or more funded group proposals)
  • 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 Research Experience Fellowship (REF) Application Guide 

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 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm.  

Apply Here

Fall 2024 Research Experience Fellowship Application Guide

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 mentoring two to four undergraduate students. Awards will provide qualified research-related expenses and supplies to teams during the academic year. All teams are required to present their projects in person in mid May or early June and submit a final report and YouTube video by the end of spring quarter 2025.

Graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to work collaboratively, bringing their interests and experience from multiple disciplines to solve problems through an interdisciplinary lens. Undergraduate students on a team 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. 

IMPORTANT: Funding is not transferred to departments or provided to students directly. Graduate student leads must submit purchase orders for supplies to Calit2, who will make all purchases. No exceptions. All projects should be completed and funding must be expended by the end of May 2025.

Fall 2024 Deadline:
Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • Must be part of a graduate and undergraduate student team working on a project that is interdisciplinary in nature
  • All applicants and co-applicants must be enrolled at UCI as degree-seeking students through at least spring quarter 2025
  • Graduate students must have UCI Faculty Advisor approval
  • Must be in good academic standing (2.0+ GPA)
  • 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 be part of the Interdisciplinary Research Teams (IRT) application and can also apply to the Research Experience Fellowship (REF) in fall quarter, but can only receive one funded award. If the IRT application is not awarded, their REF application will be considered for funding.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

First, review the Interdisciplinary Research Teams (IRT) Application Guide

Your application must include the following documents:

Resources to help with your application:

 

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Graduate Students: Submit your proposal and all supplementary documents for your team online by the deadline of November 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm.  

Apply Here

Interdisciplinary Research Teams Application Guide Link

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

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 $1,500. This award is a stipend given to the student via their ZotAccount in support of their time and effort. UROP Fellows who will be enrolled in spring quarter 2026 are required to present their project at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in May 2026.

Summer 2025 Deadline:
Friday, April 4, 2025 @ 11:59 pm.

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • Must be enrolled at UCI as degree-seeking undergraduate student through at least fall quarter 2025
  • Must have UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
  • Must be in good academic standing (2.0+ GPA)
  • Must have some prior research experience. Recommended: at least one quarter working on a research project at UCI
  • Must submit an individual application. If you are part of a group project, your focus of the project must have unique independent aims which you must be able to articulate in your proposal. Multiple group members should not submit the same proposal as part of their individual applications.
  • Maximum of one individual funding request per student for this summer (can submit another proposal for non-funded recognition)
  • 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

Review the SURP Application Guide. (Guide will be updated in late February for summer 2025)

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 on Friday, April 5, 2025 @ 11:59 pm.  Application link will be posted by late February.

Travel or Publication Award

Undergraduate students who need partial funding 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 students who are presenting at a conference
  2. Traveling to a research destination (e.g. archaeological dig in Arizona)
  3. Expenses related to publishing their research

Undergraduate students may request up to $1,000 for qualified expenses related to their activity. Funding is limited. Awards typically range from $250 to $750 on average. Applicants must show proof of acceptance to eligible activity at the time of application.

Awards for travel-related expenses are disbursed to the student via their ZotAccount. Awards for publication expenses are transferred to the faculty mentor’s department.

Fall 2024 Deadline:
Monday, November 4, 2024 @ 11:59 pm

Winter 2025 Deadline:
TBD. Deadline and application will be posted by 1/6/2025

Spring or Summer 2025 Deadline:
TBD. Deadline and application will be posted by 3/31/2025

Step 1: Are You Eligible?

  • Must be enrolled at UCI as degree-seeking undergraduate student at the time the activity occurs and the quarter in which you apply for the Travel or Publication Award.
  • Must have UCI Faculty Mentor guidance
  • Must be in good academic standing (2.0+ GPA)
  • Maximum of one individual funding request per term
  • Maximum of one Travel or Publication Award per academic year
  • Activity must take place during the 2024-25 academic year (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025).
  • 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 and amount of awards per project may be limited. If presenting at a conference, preference may be given to students who are first authors.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Your application must include the following:

  • Online Application Form
  • 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 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm.  

Apply Here