The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) is directed through the Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Education and administered by the Undergraduate Research Center–Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

The URSP scholarship is awarded to juniors and seniors who have a strong commitment to research and who are completing a comprehensive independent research or creative project, capstone project, or a departmental honors thesis under the mentorship of a UCLA faculty member.

URSP recipients:

  • Receive a $4,500 scholarship (juniors) or $6,000 scholarship (seniors)
  • Conduct a research or creative project for 3 quarters (fall, winter, and spring) and enroll in an upper-division research contract course for at least 2 of the 3 quarters
  • Complete and submit a departmental honors thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive independent research or creative project
  • Present their project at Undergraduate Research Week
  • Submit a summary of their project and a photo for an online profile

URSP ELIGIBILITY

  • Junior level standing or higher
  • 3.25 GPA or higher
  • Enrolled full-time in fall, winter, and spring quarters
  • Committed to completing a departmental honors thesis, research-based capstone project, or comprehensive research or creative project for 3 quarters (fall, winter, and spring)
  • Permanent residents, international, undocumented, DACA, and AB540 students are eligible to apply
  • Students who received the URSP scholarship as juniors are eligible to apply again as seniors
  • While financial need is not required, some awards are for students with established financial need
  • Cannot be a concurrent recipient of a research program scholarship while participating, including those through the Undergraduate Research Centers, AAP, College Honors, the Center for Community Learning, Education Abroad Programs, or academic departments

HOW TO APPLY

Application deadline for the 2024-2025 Cohort: June 20, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Click here for detailed instructions on how to approach each aspect of the application: URSP/Keck Application Instructions.

The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program and the UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards share an application. Students can choose to apply to one or both programs. 

To apply, submit an application online. Visit MyUCLA, click on “Campus Life,” and select “Survey” to access the application titled “Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and the UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards.” The application for the 2023-2024 academic year will open in mid-May.

The application consists of the following components:

  1. Statement of previous undergraduate research experience (if applicable)
  2. Academic plan (study list)
  3. Project title
  4. Research or creative project proposal
  5. Personal statement
  6. Letter of recommendation from your faculty mentor. Be sure to ask your faculty mentor early and provide them with the URSP/Keck Letter of Recommendation form.

Students conducting creative projects can email us at urhass@college.ucla.edu to inquire about submitting supporting documents such as a portfolio of their work.

If you have any questions, please email the Undergraduate Research Center or schedule a virtual advising appointment with a Graduate Student Mentor to discuss your project. The Undergraduate Research Center also hosts URSP info sessions and workshops on how to write a research or creative proposal. Click here for a list of upcoming workshops and info sessions.

All materials must be submitted by the June 20 deadline.

Undergraduate Research Center –
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
A334 Murphy Hall
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(310) 825-2935
urhass@college.ucla.edu

STUDENT PROFILES

view Undergraduate Research Scholars