UC LEADS

Most applicants will be sophomores who are planning to begin the junior year in the upcoming fall term. The key is to work backwards from your planned graduation date. Whether you are a sophomore or junior when you apply, you should be on track to graduate at the end of the UC LEADS program.

It is a two-year program that starts at the beginning of the summer. Scholars participate in research projects during two summers and two academic years.

All UC LEADS Scholars must be UC students by the fall of the first year of the program. If you are about to transfer to a UC campus such that you meet this requirement, you may apply.

You apply for the program at the individual UC campus. View the eligibility criteria for the program and find contact information for the individual campuses.

Scholars receive a minimum of $3000 stipend for the summer research experiences.

No. Your travel schedule and budget is determined by your Action Plan, which is established by you and your mentor, and then approved by the campus UC LEADS Coordinator. All such travel is covered by the program.

The second summer of the program will be spent at a campus other than your home campus. Scholars are asked to rank three UC campuses in order of preference. Every effort will be made to award your first choice, and you will be placed at one of your three choices.

Yes. Scholars receive housing or housing compensation during each summer research experience. The individual campus sets the type of housing and the amount of housing compensation.

Yes. All Scholars must participate in the annual Symposium. This event provides an important opportunity for Scholars to meet each other, get feedback on their work and learn about opportunities for graduate study at UC.

No. Although there are systemwide guidelines for UC LEADS, the program is independently administered by each UC campus. This means that there may be different application deadlines, specific program activities, and other variations in the implementation and design of the program at each campus.

For the summer research portion of the program, Scholars receive the same stipend amounts: $3,000 for first summer research, and $4,000 for second summer research. During the academic year, each Scholar develops a budget, including travel and research expenses, as part of an annual Action Plan -- determined by the Scholar and his/her faculty mentor and approved by the campus UC LEADS Coordinator.

If you, your Mentor and your campus Coordinator determine that a computer is an appropriate expense in your Action Plan, UC LEADS funds may be used for that purpose. The same goes for research equipment and supplies -- they are available if they are determined appropriate in the Scholar's Action Plan. Supplies are defined as items that cost less than $1500; equipment is defined as items costing $1500 or more. By University policy, supplies may be retained after the program year is completed, and equipment remains the property of the University.

Changes may be made if both the faculty mentor and the campus UC LEADS Coordinator concur. Contact your campus coordinator as soon as possible for information on how officially to request such changes.