Current Students

Summer Research Program

UCSD's Summer Research Program offers an 8-week, full-time research experience for juniors and seniors. Sponsors of the program include California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) and the McNair Achievement Program.

Participants receive a $2,800 fellowship ($2,400 stipend plus the option of an additional $400 for participation in the program's GRE training) and free on-campus housing.

The Summer Research Program is designed to:

  • Provide interested students with the skills to become research scholars
  • Stimulate serious consideration of graduate study
  • Increase graduate school enrollment of underrepresented minorities and low-income, first-generation college students

How the program works:

  • Faculty mentors design and supervise research projects in conjunction with your research interests.
  • You will learn to write a research proposal and paper, and you'll present the paper at the UCSD Summer Research Conference.
  • Program activities are substantial and require a full-time commitment. You cannot work, take classes, participate in any other summer research program, or go on vacation while in the program.
  • Attendance at meetings and seminars is mandatory.

You are eligible if you:

  • Are a junior or senior at UCSD
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Have an interest in pursuing graduate education
  • Have not previously participated in the program

  • Note: Priority is given to qualified applicants who are first-generation college students and/or students who demonstrate financial need.

How to apply: Applications are due each year in March. (Due dates change yearly.) You must submit materials both online and in person:

  • Online:
    • The online application form
      Note: Because you cannot save your online application, you may want to write and save your answers separately, then paste them into the application. Once you submit your application, no further changes or edits are possible. A personal essay (500 words maximum) is part of the online application form.
  • In person:
    • Bring hard copies of the following documents to the Academic Enrichment Programs Office at Student Center Building B ( map), 2nd floor East, or mail them to UCSD Summer Research Program, Academic Enrichment Programs, Mail Code 0311, La Jolla, CA 92093-0311:

Note to current UCSD employees: Because of statewide university policy, if you are a current UCSD employee, we cannot process your payment until your employment is terminated. A student on payroll status is not allowed to receive a stipend.

If you have questions, contact Academic Enrichment Programs, (858) 534-1774.

Research Opportunities for Undergraduates