UC LEADS Program

Application deadline is April 8, 2011.
Please Note: Continuation of the UC LEADS program is contingent upon funding availability.

Program Purpose

The UC LEADS Program is one of the most prestigious fellowships awarded by the University of California system. This program provides up to nine UCLA upper-division undergraduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in academia, industry, government and public service following the completion of a doctoral degree, preferably at the University of California.

UC LEADS funding comes in part from the State of California as part of the Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP). The University of California's SAPEP programs seek to raise student achievement levels generally and to close achievement gaps between groups of students throughout the K–20 pipeline so that more educationally disadvantaged students are prepared for postsecondary education, to pursue graduate and professional school opportunities and to achieve success in the workplace.

As funding allows, each UC LEADS Scholar is provided with resources to conduct research, travel, offset fees in the academic year, and a stipend plus room and board in the summer. In addition, over the two-year period from July 2011 through June 2013, scholars will have the opportunity to:

Participate in two summer research programs at a UC campus
Conduct research with the guidance of a faculty mentor
Attend and present research at the Annual UC LEADS Research & Leadership Symposium
Travel to other UC campuses to discuss research and graduate study opportunities
Attend an annual professional conference in your discipline
Participate in campus workshops and specialized training

Please view the UC LEADS Program Book for additional information.

Program Expectations

Scholars are expected to complete the entire two-year program. The research objectives of the program are substantial and require a full-time student commitment. At the beginning of each academic year, scholars will be expected to develop a detailed plan of action with the guidance of their faculty mentor. The Action Plan will include information such as:

Frequency of meetings between Scholar and faculty mentor (minimum of twice a month).
List of doctoral programs to be visited, excluding summer research experience (must include at least one other UC campus).
Scholar participation at regional or national professional or scientific meetings.
Presentation of Scholar's work.
Participation in at least two research experiences (one during the summer and one during the academic year) facilitated by or in cooperation with a faculty mentor.
Confirmation of participation in the Annual UC LEADS Symposium (Scholars are required to do a poster presentation each year). View Sample Abstracts.
Scholar's participation in fellowship-seeking or grant-writing workshops (second year only).
List of graduate programs to which the Scholar intends to apply (second year only).
Timetable for the proposed scholar activities.
Budget Plan of estimated cost for the activities contained in the action plan.

Eligibility

A long-term goal of this program is to help broaden and expand the pool of academically talented young scholars committed to careers in university teaching and research. All qualified students are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, ethnicity, gender or national origin. Selection of participants will be based on academic merit and availability of appropriate faculty mentors. Special consideration will be given to applicants whose socioeconomic background, access to educational opportunities and other life experiences suggest that they would especially benefit from this type of program, and who demonstrate potential to contribute to the diversity and excellence of research and teaching in higher education.

Applicants must be enrolled at University of California, Los Angeles, in an undergraduate degree program in the physical, life, or computer sciences; engineering; mathematics; physical anthropology, archaeology, geography, linguistics or experimental psychology. Transfer students are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should apply prior to their junior year and/or should be on track to receive the baccalaureate degree at the conclusion of the second year of the UC LEADS program.
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Applicants must have an interest in using the doctoral degree to promote diversity in science, engineering and mathematics fields; and demonstrate perseverance and commitment to educational achievement.
Students who intend to pursue professional graduate degrees in management (MBA), law (JD), medicine (MD) or dentistry (DDS) are not eligible for this program.

Program Dates

UC LEADS is a two-year program encompassing two summers (in the form of summer research programs) and two full academic years. The first summer is spent at UCLA, the second is spent at another UC campus.

Deadline

All application materials and supporting documents must be postmarked by April 8, 2011 .

For Further Information Contact

Anli Yang
UC LEADS Program Coordinator
anliyang@lifesci.ucla.edu

Dr. Sonia Zarate
UC LEADS Administrative Director
soniaz@lifesci.ucla.edu