summer research programs san diego

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The Summer Research Program (SRP) is made up of 8+ programs which are either 8 or 10 weeks long. Each program has a cohort and a coordinator. While requirements for each program are different, program coordinators work together to create a summer community that brings together students from all the programs. ALL SRP students are paid a stipend!

SRP equips students with the skills to become research scholars, encourage students' pursuit of graduate study, and increase graduate school enrollment among underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation college students.

• 8-week programs run from June 24, 2024 - August 16, 2024
• 10-week programs run from June 24, 2024 - August 30, 2024

Requirements for all summer programs:

• Must be enrolled  full-time
• Work at least 30 hours / week with a mentor throughout the 8 or 10 week program
• Attend SRP Orientation
• Present their research at the Summer Research Conference  in mid-August
• Be present throughout their entire program
• Students  cannot work or take classes in the summer while in SRP

*Each program has additional specific requirements. Look through the programs to ensure you qualify before applying.

Genentech Scholars Program

Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

McNair Program

UC Scholars

Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS)

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Global Partnership Programs

• International Summer Research Program

June 30- August 31, 2024

About the international summer research program.

The International Summer Research Program (ISRP) is a rigorous summer program that invites international students from partner universities to join labs of leading UC San Diego faculty and engage in cutting-edge research.

In addition to gaining valuable research experience, students will have the opportunity to explore San Diego and engage in cultural, academic and professional enrichment activities. At the end of the program, students will present their research at the ISRP Research Symposium. ISRP accepts all disciplines and fields of study! Detailed information is provided below.

Program Details & Important Information

Program cost.

The cost of ISRP is $5,500 USD . This amount includes:

• On-campus housing in a single room the entire nine-week duration of the program
• The visa document processing fee
• Fees for activities and excursions
• A materials and lab fee for equipment needed for your lab research.

The cost does not include visa appointment and SEVIS fees, airfare, meals and incidentals. Students must pay the full fee to participate. 

Unfortunately, UC San Diego cannot offer financial support for ISRP students. Interested students should contact their home university to see if there any scholarships or funding available to participate in this program.

Eligibility

ISRP is only open to students from select partner universities. Graduate students are eligible to participate, but please note that the cohort would be majority undergraduate students. 

It is important to note that students must be able to participate in ISRP for the full duration of the program; Students can not arrive after the start date or leave before the end date of the program. 

In order to participate, you must first be nominated by your home university to participate. More information about the nomination and application process is below.

Nomination and Application Processes and Deadlines

Nomination and application deadlines will be released in early 2025 for next summer's International Summer Research Program.

Please note that nomination is not the same as being accepted into ISRP. You will be informed after the application deadline if you have been accepted. 

Application Materials

• TOEFL: Internet-based: 83 or Paper-based: 550
• IELTS: Minimum score of 7 (Academic module)
• DET: Minimum score of 115
• Unofficial academic transcript
• Letter of recommendation from a professor at your home university
• Biodata page of passport. 
• Why do you wish to participate in this program?  Highlight relevant academic and personal information, your career interests as well as information about yourself.
• Please describe your past research experience and how it can contribute to your summer at UC San Diego. Include specific examples about prior research, internships and job experiences. 
• Please describe your research interests and why they are important to you.

Participating Labs

The list of participating labs will be released in early 2025 for next summer's International Summer Research Program.

In the application, you can choose up to three faculty mentors in order of preference. It is important that you review the description of the research projects and pay attention to any pre-requisites to ensure you are qualified to participate in the research project.

If you want to work with a faculty member or in a lab that is not on the list, you can add the name of the faculty member and the lab name in your application. The ISRP coordinators will contact that lab to see if they are willing to accept a student for the summer. It is strongly recommended that you select at least one faculty member from the list when you select your top three three faculty mentors.

Please be aware that we cannot guarantee placement in a laboratory;   it is ultimately the decision of the faculty mentor to determine if you are qualified to work in their lab.

2024 ISRP Timeline

MARCH 2024:

• March 15: Deadline for partner universities to nominate students for ISRP. 

APRIL 2024:

• April 1: Deadline for students to submit their application to ISRP. 
• April 2-5: Students will be informed whether or not they are accepted into ISRP. 
• April 8-12: Accepted students will be sent visa information and program packets to complete.
• April 19: Deadline to submit Visa Application and Program Packet.
• June 30: ISRP student move-in day.
• July 1: ISRP orientation
• July 2: First day in laboratory
• August 29: Last day in laboratory
• August 30: ISRP Research Symposium
• August 31: ISRP 2023 ends/ students move out of housing

ISRP 2023 Research Symposium

Birch Aquarium Tour

Kayaking in Coronado

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Summer Research Opportunities

On campus or hosted by ucsd.

• Biology Research for academic credit ( BISP 99 or 199s )
• Research Experience & Applied Learning (REAL) Portal
• UCSD Summer Research Program
• PRIME Program
• Medical Scientist Training Program (UCSD School of Medicine)

Hosted through other colleges and universities

• National Amgen Scholars Programs
• The Leadership Alliance
• American Physiological Society (APS): Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship
• Career Services Center - Summer Research listings

Sponsored by government agencies and other organizations

• National Science Foundation (NSF) : Research Experiences for Undergraduates
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) ; including internships in Public Health
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Janelia Undergraduate Scholars Program (HHMI)

Summer research scholarships

Check the Undergraduate Research Scholarships - Summer (URS) website to find out about eligibility and requirements to apply for scholarships to offset the the cost of doing research in the summer.

• Research Scholarships
• Research for Academic Credit
• Summer Research
• Get Published
• Student Research Showcase
• Safety Training

Research Internships

Summer Research Opportunities 

Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers a variety of summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs.

Listings are updated as the information becomes available.  

Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL)

mpl.ucsd.edu/internships

The MPL summer internship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is a 10-week research program in marine science and technology. MPL seeks inquisitive and motivated undergraduates with exceptional aptitude for quantitative science, majoring in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, or geology. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in their first, second, or third year of undergraduate study. 

Application deadline: January 12, 2024 at 4pm Pacific time

JANE TERANES - Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (JT-SURF)

scripps.ucsd.edu/undergrad/surf

Jane Teranes - Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (JT-SURF) is a 10-week, NSF-funded summer research program. Research opportunities include both in-person, on-campus research projects as well as a small number of projects that can be completed remotely. Potential research projects span the fields of oceanography, marine biology, earth sciences, geophysics and atmospheric sciences. On-campus housing or a housing allowance is provided for onsite participants. The program seeks to increase the diversity of students successfully prepared to pursue career pathways in earth and ocean sciences and aims to recruit underrepresented minorities, veterans, students with disabilities, and students from institutions with limited research facilities and/or limited curricula in earth, ocean or atmospheric sciences.  Application deadline: February 29, 2024 at 11:59 pm Eastern time.

California Current Ecosystem Long Term Ecological Research (CCE LTER)

https://ccelter.ucsd.edu/reu/

The California Current Ecosystem (CCE) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site is an interdisciplinary group of scientists, students, and educators that is working to understand and communicate the effects of long-term climate variability on the California Current pelagic ecosystem. Projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. Application deadline: March 15, 2024

Center For Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) Internship Program

Cw3e.ucsd.edu/cw3e-internship-program.

CW3E's mission is to provide 21st Century water cycle science, technology, and outreach to support effective policies and practices that address the impacts of extreme weather and water events on the environment, people and the economy of Western North America. The 9-week internship program provides paid summer research opportunities to undergraduate students on projects related to U.S. West Coast weather phenomena such as atmospheric rivers and the North American Monsoon. All undergraduate students who are interested in gaining hands-on experience in one or more of CW3E’s research areas are encouraged to apply, regardless of experience level. Paid on-campus housing is also provided. Application deadline: January 23, 2024

Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment (CAICE)

caice.ucsd.edu/summer-undergraduate-research

The CAICE program focuses on projects that improve our understanding of how aerosol particles impact the environment, air quality, and climate. The program seeks undergraduate students with an interest in chemistry who would like to participate in cutting-edge CAICE research. Women, students from underrepresented groups, and military veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to current second and third year undergraduates. Application deadline: TBD

UC Natural Reserve System - Field Science Fellowship

Ucnrs.org/research/field-science-fellowship.

The Field Science Fellowship is an opportunity for two-person teams of University of California faculty and undergraduate students to propose field science research projects that will primarily be conducted in one of the reserves in the  UC Natural Reserve System . Approved research proposals will be awarded $5,000 for in the form of a student stipend and $1,000 to cover project costs. Proposals should focus on field research projects that will allow students to perform full-time research for 8 weeks during the summer.

Application deadline: February 15, 2024

Environmental Systems Senior Internship Project 

Scripps.ucsd.edu/esys/senior-internship-project.

For current UC San Diego students enrolled in the Environmental Systems (ESYS) undergraduate major, the program places a significant value on interdisciplinary problem solving and all majors are expected to complete an integrative Senior Project in their final year. The ESYS Senior Project is designed by the student to focus on an interdisciplinary environmental problem or research topic. An important component of the Senior Project is an off-campus or laboratory internship.

Application deadline: Included as part of ESYS major

UC San Diego Academic Internship Program 

The UC San Diego Academic Internship Program provides an opportunity for eligible UC San Diego juniors and seniors to earn course credit for substantive internships related to their academic and career goals. The program strives to facilitate partnerships that lead to genuine learning opportunities for students, and create value for our community partners.

Application deadline: Various

UCSD Undergraduate Research Hub 

The Undergraduate Research Hub equips students with the skills to become research scholars, encourage students' pursuit of graduate study, and increase graduate school enrollment among underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation college students. There are also a wide variety of scholarships that students can apply for to conduct their own research during the summer, more information can be found on the  Undergraduate Research Hub website . Keep in mind that many applications have deadlines in February for summer programs and/or scholarships. 

Other Internships at Scripps Oceanography and Birch Aquarium 

Other than the REU programs, there is no formal internship/volunteer program at Scripps Oceanography for external high school or college students. Other internship positions in labs are up to the discretion/needs of each lab director to decide whether they take on qualified interns or volunteers.

To inquire about becoming a volunteer research assistant at Scripps, we recommend visiting the Centers and Programs page, Labs page, and Researcher Profiles to find a field, research topic, or researcher that interests you. Contact information for each program, lab, or researcher is found on each corresponding page; you can reach out to them directly to see what opportunities might be available. 

Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers volunteer positions for a range of ocean lovers, from students and working adults to retired professionals. The minimum age for aquarium interns and volunteers is 16.

• Visit Birch Aquarium’s website for volunteer positions .

ENLACE 2024

The ENLACE summer research program at UC San Diego aims to encourage the participation of high school and university students in research in the sciences and engineering, while promoting cross-border friendships between Latin America and the United States.

Participants in this program will join a research laboratory at UC San Diego, in a specific area of interest of each participant. The deadline to apply is February 2, 2024. The program brochure can be found at:

     http://graeve.ucsd.edu/ENLACE2024_Announcement

High school students currently enrolled in 11th grade of high school are eligible to apply to ENLACE.  No other high school students can apply. A University student is any student that will be enrolled in a Bachelor’s program during Spring 2024 and during Fall 2024 (this means that students that are graduating in May or June 2024 are not eligible to apply for participation in ENLACE). For additional information, please review the frequently asked questions found at:

     http://graeve.ucsd.edu/ENLACE2024_FAQ

I. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

As part of the application, students are required to provide the following documents in PDF format (no other formats will be accepted).

1.  Letter of recommendation from a teacher or professor:  This letter of recommendation must be from a high school teacher or a university professor, describing academic aptitudes and maturity as a student and as a person.  We want to know that the student is motivated, hard-working, and responsible.  This letter must be two pages in length.  The letter can be in English or Spanish.

2.  Letter of recommendation from a parent or legal guardian:  This letter of recommendation must be from a parent or legal guardian and must describe the character and capacity of the student to deal with responsibilities and stress.  This letter must be two pages in lengthy.  The letter can be in English or Spanish.

3.  School transcripts:  The school transcript must include all coursework completed, grades on all courses, and the overall average.  An application with a transcript that does not include this three components will be removed from consideration.  The school transcript can be in English or Spanish.  Transcripts in the Spanish language do not need to be translated to English.

4.  Essay:  A two-page essay describing (1) why you want to participate in ENLACE 2024 and (2) what is your specific area of interest.  The essay must be in English.

5.  Signatures document:  The ENLACE 2024 Signatures document must contain signatures that are handwritten. The forms can be found in these links:

Once all documents are ready, they are to be submitted in the online application at: 

II. COSTS AND APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Student participation fee: $6,000 USD

   This fee covers housing, food, field trips, and all other program expenses.  This fee does not cover flight costs or visa processing fees.

All students admitted into the program will automatically receive a $1,000 scholarship, even if not applying for a scholarship.  This is in an effort to reduce costs for all students.

The deadline date to apply for financial support is February 2, 2024.  The application forms can be found at:

As part of the application, students must upload the following signature pages:   

III. APPLICATION TO SERVE AS CHAPERONE

University students accepted into the program as chaperones are guaranteed a full scholarship.

As part of the chaperone application, students will have to provide the following documents in PDF format (no other formats will be accepted):

1.  Letter of recommendation from university professor:  This letter of recommendation should be from a university professor, and it is in addition to the letter of recommendation submitted as part of the application to ENLACE -- must be a different recommender from the letter submitted for the program application.  The letter should describe academic aptitudes and maturity as a student and as a person.  We want to know that the student is motivated, hard-working, and responsible.  This letter must be two pages in length.  The letter can be in English or Spanish.

2.  A letter of recommendation from a parent or legal guardian:  This letter of recommendation must be from a parent or legal guardian and must describe the student's capacities as a chaperone (i.e., responsible, of the highest integrity, punctual, capable of serving as a friend and mentor to high school students).  Specific examples of mentoring activities are welcome.  The letter must also confirm that the parent is willing to take responsibility for the actions of the student.  This letter must be two pages in length.  The letter can be in English or Spanish.

3.  Essay:  This essay needs to describe why the student wants to participate in the program as a chaperone, the student's willingness to engage as a mentor to high school students, and confirm a complete commitment to uphold all program rules and requirements.  This essay should be two pages in length and must be in English.

4.  Chaperone signature document:  The ENLACE 2024 Signature document for chaperones must have signatures that are handwritten.  The form can be found here: 

Once all documents are ready for submission, the online application form is found at:

UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

Summer Research Program (SRP)

The Summer Research Program equips students with the skills to become research scholars, encourage students’ pursuit of graduate study, and increase graduate school enrollment among underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation college students.

How to Apply

Summer Research Program participants are selected from the following programs:

• UC Scholars
• Genentech Summer Program
• American Heart Association (AHA) Fellowship
• Electrical and Computer Engineering SRIP
• Undergraduate Research Scholars

Requirements

Students are expected to fulfill all the requirements and expectations of the Summer Research Program umbrella, as well as their specific program requirements. Each program participant will:

• Conduct a research project under a faculty mentor whose interest complement the student’s own interests,
• Complete are research proposal and paper,
• Present their paper at the  UC San Diego Summer Research Conference , and
• Participate in all program meetings, seminars, and activities

Note:  Program activities are substantial and require full-time commitment from each student. As a result, students cannot work, take classes, participate in any other summer research program, or go on vacation while in the program.

Participants will receive a stipend via direct deposit at the start of the program; the amount of the stipend varies depending on the program in which they are enrolled. Please check with your program coordinator for additional information.

Participants are required to set up a direct deposit account to recveive their stipend. For guidelines on how to do this, please follow the  instructions for setting up direct deposit .

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Program sponsors

UC San Diego’s Summer Research Program is supported by

• Genentech Foundation grant
• The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program  grant
• The UC Office of the President
• UC San Diego Student Affairs
• AHA Undergraduate Student Research Fellowships

Veronica Bejar Student Center, Building B 1st Floor East ( map )

Phone:  (858) 534-8254 Email:   [email protected]

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Research Experiences at UC San Diego

Explore our opportunities below.

In order to be a competitive graduate school applicant and a more rounded scholar, research is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Undergraduate research experiences can improve your chances for graduate school as well as enhancing your likelihood of admission to a graduate program. 

If UC San Diego interests you for graduate school, we invite you to check out the opportunities below which are ideal for undergraduates outside of UC San Diego. These programs are intentionally designed to introduce you to research by immersing you into the Triton way of life. What better way to experience how life as a graduate student at UC San Diego might be like! 

STARS: Summer Training Academy for Research Success (All majors)

An eight-week summer research academy for community college students, undergraduate students, recent college graduates, and masters students. Opened to all disciplines, STARS offers student participants a rigorous research opportunity with esteemed UC San Diego faculty, informative transfer and graduate school preparation workshops, and educational, cultural, and social activities in sunny San Diego.

More information

ENLACE (All STEM Majors)

The ENLACE bi-national summer research program at UC San Diego aims to encourage the participation of high school students, college students, and researchers/teachers, in research in the sciences and engineering, while promoting cross-border friendships in the Baja California/San Diego region.

Engineers for Exploration (Engineering)

Engineers for Exploration (E4E) is a one of a kind program centered around multidisciplinary and collaborative student research projects with the broad goals of protecting the environment, uncovering mysteries related to cultural heritage, and providing experiential learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. 

IRACDA SURF Program (San Diego Community College Students)

San Diego IRACDA fellows develop and direct a SURF Fellowship Program for students underrepresented in science. The SURF program is an exciting 8-week research internship for  San Diego City College   students that work with an IRACDA Postdoctoral fellow on an ongoing research project and participate in weekly professional development workshops, directed by IRACDA fellows. 

MPL Summer Internship Program (Various STEM majors)

The Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL) at world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) seeks inquisitive motivated undergraduates with exceptional aptitude for quantitative science, majoring in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, chemistry, biology, geology or related majors.

MSTP: Medical Scientist Training Program (Students interested in Medical School)

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is a multidisciplinary program in medicine and biomedical research.  Its mission is to provide students with the breadth and depth of training necessary to excel as academic physicians. The curriculum combines classroom and clinical training in the UCSD School of Medicine  with research in a Graduate Department. 

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Biomaterials

The Jacobs school of Engineering (JSOE) at UC San Diego hosts a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer program in Biomaterials. The objectives of the program are to train undergraduates in basic research through challenging biomaterial-related engineering projects performed with research mentors from engineering departments across JSOE. Research areas include tissue engineering and 3D printing, bio-inspired biomaterials, biomaterial-stem cell interaction, nanoparticles and drug delivery.

San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure (Engineering)

The San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure (SDNI) offers users from academic, industry and government laboratories open, affordable access to a broad spectrum of nanofabrication and characterization technologies and expertise that enable and accelerate cutting edge scientific research, proof-of-concept demonstration, device and system prototyping, product development, and technology translation.

Summer Program for Women in Philosophy

SPWP is a ten-day program for undergraduate women who are interested in pursuing graduate study in philosophy. SPWP is hosted by the  UC San Diego Philosophy Department , and features philosophy seminar courses taught by visiting and UC San Diego faculty, along with a variety of workshops taught by faculty and graduate students — all geared towards providing an engaging philosophical learning experience and helpful preparation for applying to and succeeding at graduate school in philosophy and beyond.

SURF | Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Ocean and Earth Sciences)

The Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a 10-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) designed to engage students in diverse and exciting earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences research at a world-renowned institution.

In particular, the SURF program seeks to increase the diversity of students successfully prepared to pursue Earth and ocean sciences career pathways, and to recruit individuals from institutions with limited undergraduate research opportunities.  

Department of Pharmacology SURF (Biomedical Sciences)

The Pharmacology Department at the UCSD School of Medicine offers an 8-week research training program to undergraduates after their sophomore and junior years. This program is specifically designed for students who are interested in a career in basic research and who are seriously considering Ph.D. training in the basic biomedical sciences. This program is not designed for pre-M.D. or pre-Pharm.D. students.

UC San Diego undergraduate students can visit this website to find research programs on campus specifically for you. Also you can visit this website to find opportunities at other UC campuses. 

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Conferences

Summer research conference at uc san diego.

UC San Diego's largest undergraduate research conference

Join our research community

Celebrate undergraduate research

Share your research with the community

The Summer Research Conference (SRC) at UC San Diego is the region's largest  research conference open to undergraduates in all academic fields who are conducting faculty-mentored summer research. The conference features the scholarly work of 300+ undergraduate researchers representing community colleges, public and private universities, and research institutions. Each year the Undergraduate Research Hub hosts the SRC in August. 

The 2024 Summer Research Conference will be held on Wednesday, August 14 and Thursday, August 15 at the Price Center. 

Check back in late June 2024 for more details. At that time, we will have information about submitting abstracts, volunteering, being a moderator, and registering as a guest.

Any student who conducts summer research with a faculty mentor can submit an abstract to present. It is not limited to URH students, nor only UC San Diego students. We look forward to seeing you there!

SRC Coordinator Contact Information

Contact:  URH

Email:   [email protected]

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Undergraduate Research/Creative Activities

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Students are vital to research here

Research helps undergraduates discover which subjects interest them as scholars, allows them to gain the critical skills necessary to enter graduate school, and helps underscore the real-life applications of classroom teachings.

Funding Your Work

Summer Research

Resources/Events

Funding Your Work

There are many resources available for funding undergraduate research and creative activities.  This is a list of those with broad applicability, but more resources are available within specific disciplines.  

• SDSU Undergraduate Research Program
• SDSU Faculty-Student Mentoring Program
• National Scholarships and Fellowships
• SDSU Research Foundation:  how to search for research grants
• Programs for underrepresented students
• Council on Undergraduate Research:  listing of research opportunities for undergraduates
• CSU COAST: Undergraduate Research Support Program

Myth Busting: Getting Involved Falsehoods

If you already have a mentor, consider submitting a proposal to the 10-week track of the SDSU Undergraduate Research Program , open to SDSU students/faculty.  You can earn a salary while you work on your project!

There are departments on campus that have summer research programs for undergraduates, and there are national organizations that list opportunities as well. 

If you are willing to live elsewhere during the summer, you can search for summer research opportunities at other universities. Search terms can include "summer research," "research experiences for undergraduates," "REU," or "summer undergraduate research fellowship." 

Presenting Your Work

This is a list of opportunities for undergraduates to present their research or showcase their creative activities.  These opportunities are relatively close to SDSU and are expected to be friendly to undergraduate presenters.

• SDSU Student Symposium
• SDSU online portfolio (through Portfolium)
• SDSU Arts Alive program
• University of California, San Diego, Summer Research Conference
• CSU San Marcos Psychology Research Fair
• Southern California Conference of Undergraduate Research
• CSU Social Science Research and Instructional Center's Student Research Conference

One good source for conferences friendly to undergraduate presenters is regional conferences of large professional organizations.  Students should ask peers in their same area and faculty mentors for ideas.

Funding for undergraduate student travel to conferences can be difficult to come by, but the page on  Funding your research  has a few good tips/leads.

On-Campus Resources and Events

Looking for undergraduate research opportunities? Access our list of current research opportunities for SDSU students both on and off of campus. 

Trying to figure out where you want to go in life? There are many fabulous resources available at the  SDSU Career Center .

Doing research with humans?  You might need  Institutional Review Board  approval (check with your faculty mentor) - and if you do, you can go  here if you need CITI training  to be authorized to work with human participants.

Doing research with animals? You might need  IACUC  approval (check with your faculty mentor).

Need specific help with various aspects of your work? 

• Help with writing can be found at the  SDSU Writing Center
• Help with math/statistics can be found at the  SDSU Math and Stats Learning Center
• Equipment, such as a 3D printer, is available at  SDSU build IT @SDSULibrary

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Summer Research Opportunities & Graduate Preview Days

Summer research programs promote student achievement by providing an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on research over the summer months. Students receive guidance from leading research faculty or doctoral student mentor from top research institutions.

These programs are varied and are available in many different academic fields. Often these programs have specific deadlines, eligibility and admission requirements. Some are paid positions with travel and housing paid by the program.

Check the links below to begin your search.

• Summer Research Program Opportunities
• Graduate School Preview Day Program

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All UC San Diego Undergraduate Research Programs

• Conference for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH)
• Online Undergraduate Research Symposium (OURS)
• Medical Education for Diverse Students (MEDS) Conference
• Summer Research Conference (SRC)
• Undergraduate Research Conference (URC)
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• Undergraduate Research

The database below lists all UC San Diego Undergraduate Research Programs known to the Undergraduate Research Hub. The Undergraduate Research Hub maintains the database; however, be sure to check the websites of programs you are interested in for the most up-to-date information.

This database only lists formal programs. You can also find research opportunities by volunteering, through courses, the  Academic Internship Portal,  the  Research Experience & Applied Learning Portal ,  Handshake , and more.

Search and filter! 

The database below has 50+ rows and 15+ columns, so be sure to scroll right / down as needed. The database is searchable and filterable to help you find programs that suit your needs. 

Want to read all the details about one program? 

If you want to focus on reading all of the details known about one program, hover over the program and then click on the blue circle arrows in the top left corner of the cell (see picture below). This will expand the program open and show you all of the details about that program. 

Want a larger version? 

If you want to view a larger version, click the "view larger version" in the lower right corner of the table or you can  view larger version here .

On phone?  

This page and database is best viewed on a computer, but if you are viewing this page on a phone and click "view larger version", you will see a mobile version of the list. To view the filterable and searchable desktop version, follow these directions:

• Android: Click on the three dots in a vertical line at the top right corner of the browser. Scroll down and mark "Desktop Site". 
• iOS: Click on box with arrow pointing up at the top right corner of the browser. Scroll down and mark "Desktop Site/Request Desktop Site."

Program Coordinators

If you are a coordinator of an on-campus research program and would like the program to be added to this list or make corrections to an already listed program, please complete this form . If you have questions, please contact Dr. Marie Sheneman at  [email protected] .

High School Program Offers Free College Credits at UC San Diego

In june 2023, hundreds of san diego high school students participated in discover uc san diego..

• Erika Johnson - [email protected]

Published Date

Topics covered:, share this:, article content.

This article originally appeared in the spring 2024 issue of UC San Diego Magazine as “Summer Scholars.”

It takes courage to start something new and tenacity to persevere, especially if the outcome is unknown. But in the end, the challenge is worth it — especially if it means earning college credit. 

In June 2023, hundreds of San Diego high school students participated in Discover UC San Diego, an innovative pilot program that offers free, online college courses delivered by the university’s faculty. 

When Gabriella Salas, a student at Hoover High School, first read the course description for “Ethnic Studies: Land and Labor,” she was unsure what to expect. She had never taken a college-level class.

“I gained a broader perspective of the world and other communities outside of my own,” says Salas. “By the end of this course, I learned to not always doubt myself and how to properly manage my  time.”

Beyond learning about a new subject, students in the program also gain insights about their own interests that may help them choose an academic major when applying to college. And the credits earned are transferable to any university accepting UC San Diego credits, which may shorten the time it takes them to ultimately complete their degree. 

Discover UC San Diego is part of the university’s collective impact approach where multiple experts come together to execute a shared vision. The program is a partnership between the Office for Educational Innovation, Division of Extended Studies and the Teaching & Learning Commons. The spark for this innovative initiative occurred when the team realized that not every high school in San Diego offers honors or Advanced Placement courses — which give students a jump-start on college. Without access to these advanced high school courses, some students are unintentionally left behind because they are less competitive than their peers at other, better-funded schools. Discover UC San Diego may help students level up and change their entire academic trajectory. 

More than 120 students from the San Diego Unified School District enrolled in one of three courses offered in the pilot: “Ethnic Studies: Land and Labor,” “The Atmosphere,” and “Intro to Computer Science.” Each class was taught by UC San Diego faculty and developed to be accessible to high school students while maintaining the rigors of a college course that current undergraduates would enroll in. 

For Kimmy Dang, a student at Crawford High School, enrolling in “The Atmosphere” opened up a whole new way of seeing the world. “I learned about clouds and aerosols, balancing terrestrial and solar radiation, precipitation — topics that I could not have imagined touching upon in my high school education,” she says. 

And for UC San Diego professors, the experience was equally fulfilling and inspiring. “I really enjoyed the energy, insight and creativity that the students of San Diego brought to the course,” says Lynn Russell, professor of atmospheric chemistry at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who taught the program’s inaugural atmosphere course. 

After a successful pilot, the team plans to scale up the program with additional course offerings to include a course in American Sign Language and more opportunities to learn in real time. Ultimately, the team hopes to expand the program across San Diego and Imperial Valley counties, improving access to education for even more local students. 

Learn more about Discover UC San Diego at discover.ucsd.edu .

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