2010 UCLA Summer Programs for Graduate Research (SPGR)

Program Purpose

The UCLA Summer Programs for Graduate Research (SPGR) offer students who are entering or who plan to enter a doctoral program an outstanding academic opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The programs are designed for students who wish to pursue an academic career in teaching and research.

As a condition of acceptance into all SPGR programs, 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.

Program Dates

• Master the Doctorate
  June 20-Aug 14, 2010
   
• Competitive Edge
  August 2-September 3, 2010

Participating Programs

• Master The Doctorate (MTD)
  The UCLA Master The Doctorate (MTD) program offers master’s students with outstanding academic potential the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The program is designed for master’s students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree and an academic career in teaching and research. Opportunities are available to students in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and social, economic, and behavioral (SBE) academic fields.
   
  Each student participant 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. 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.
   
  A directory of UCLA faculty research interests is available online should you wish to suggest a faculty member with whom to work. Note that this would only be a suggestion.
   
  The program features:
   
  • regular seminars on academic career opportunities
  • writing and research skills
  • strategies for enhancing success in applying to doctoral programs
  • graduate school funding opportunities
  • opportunities for informal discussion with UCLA graduate students
  • cultural and educational activities
  
  The 8-week program includes travel reimbursement, on-campus housing (all program participants are required to reside in assigned University housing) and meals.
   
  • Open to both UCLA and non-UCLA students. Applicants must be in an accredited master’s degree program.
  • Individuals whose backgrounds are underrepresented in STEM and SBE doctoral programs and in accordance with the NSF (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders).
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Strong interest in pursuing a university and/or research career.
     
• Competitive Edge
  The Competitive Edge program is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) grant. This program is for UCLA’s entering doctoral students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with a strong interest in pursuing a faculty or research position. The objective is to provide awardees with research and professional development experiences to enhance their success in UCLA STEM doctoral programs. Competitive Edge is ten weeks of full-time, faculty-guided research and mentoring, as well as academic and professional workshops.
   
  • Individuals whose backgrounds are underrepresented in STEM doctoral programs and in accordance with the NSF (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders)
  • For students who will be in their first year of a STEM doctoral program at UCLA during the 2010-2011 academic year.
  • Accepted admission to a UCLA STEM doctoral program.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
  • Strong interest in pursuing a university and/or research career
     

Deadline

For the Master The Doctorate program all application materials and supporting documents must be received by February 5, 2010. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. Notification of decisions on applications will be made by the end of May 2010.

The Competitive Edge application deadline is December 15, 2009.

For Further Information Contact

Please contact Anna Guzman, NSF AGEP & DIGSSS Program Coordinator at aguzman@gdnet.ucla.edu or (310) 825-3953.

How To Apply

For the MTD program you must submit the Online Summer Program for Undergraduate & Graduate Research Application. Please select the "Master The Doctorate" option on the application and in your personal statement make sure that you write about why you want to participate in the program, your research interests, and how participation will impact your academic career.

Please view UCLA Competitive Edge program for application instructions.