The UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) offer upper division undergraduate students with outstanding academic potential the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The programs are designed for students who wish to learn more about the graduate school experience and possibly pursue an academic career in teaching and research. Opportunities are available in virtually all academic fields (e.g., arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, health sciences, physical sciences, etc.).
Student participants in many SPUR programs will work with a faculty mentor with special expertise and interests matched, as closely as possible, to the student’s research interests and career goals. Most but not all SPUR programs pair students with a faculty mentor. Students will either assist the faculty member in an ongoing research project or work collaboratively with the mentor in designing a new project of mutual interest.
Most SPUR programs feature seminars on:
- writing and research skills
- strategies for enhancing success in applying to graduate school
- graduate school funding opportunities
- opportunities for informal discussion with UCLA graduate students
- academic career opportunities
- GRE test preparation
- cultural and educational activities
For further details about specific programs, please refer to the UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate and Graduate Research Booklet.
As a condition of acceptance into the program, program participants will be asked after their departure to update information on their educational and career activities. This tracking is done solely to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. It is critical that we be able to conduct this long-term evaluation in order to maintain continuing funding for the programs. The information collected remains strictly confidential.
There are multiple programs participating with UCLA SPUR. Below are brief summaries of each program. The summaries include the specific program components, eligibility requirements and length of the summer program. Please view the chart of participating summer programs at UCLA for a quick reference of programs and their related academic fields.
Please click on the links to learn about each program. You will be able to apply to a maximum of two (first choice and second choice) in our online application.
HOW TO APPLY
You must submit an Online Application & Support Materials. Please make sure you submit a complete application by sending all pertinent supporting materials via mail or private carrier.
For more information - Please contact Graduate Outreach & Diversity at outreach@grad.ucla.edu or (310) 206-8743. Also, please read the
UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate and Graduate Research Booklet.