Undergraduate Research Experience
The Undergraduate Research Experience provides students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Citrus College, Cypress College, Fullerton College, Golden West College, Irvine Valley College, Orange Coast College, Saddleback College, Santa Ana College, and Santiago Canyon College an opportunity to conduct research at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) in an 8-week summer program. Hispanic/Latina/o/e/x and low-income students are strongly encouraged to apply!
Selected students will gain first-hand experience in scientific investigation in a dynamic, collaborative research environment. Students will be matched with CSUF faculty who will provide training and support. In addition to research, participants will create a research poster and present their findings. Participants will receive a $5,000 stipend for their research and participation throughout the summer. Stipend limited to U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and DACA recipients.
URE25 Timeline
The Undergraduate Research Experience will take place between June 16 to August 8, 2025.
interested in URE?
Sign up for our URE mailing list. We will send email reminders about the application deadlines and provide you with insights about the application process. Please sign up if you are interested in URE25!
Watch the video below for more information about the Undergraduate Research Experience.
URE Eligibility Requirements
- Be in good academic standing and enrolled at a Project RAISE partner community college through Spring 2025.
- Be pursuing your first bachelor's degree.
- Have a declared major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
- Have passed two community college science, technology, or engineering courses by the start of the program.
- Have passed one community college math course and meet the minimum math requirement for your campus by the start of the program. See the chart below.
- Commit around 40 hours per week during the Undergraduate Research Experience.
- Not work more than 10 hours a week and not take summer courses for the duration of the program.
- Stipend available to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, and DACA beneficiaries. Fully undocumented students may apply for the program as volunteers.
- High school diploma or GED is required for the program; high school students in Dual Enrollment programs at the community college are not eligible for the program.
- International students are not eligible for the program.
Math requirements vary by college. URE participants must have passed at least one math course at the college level by the start of URE that meets or exceeds mininum requirements listed below, regardlesss of their placement or AP scores.
Please see the chart below for the minimum math course requirements for your campus:
| Community College | Minimum Course(s) |
|---|---|
| Citrus College | Pre-Calculus (MATH 175) |
| Cypress College | College Algebra (MATH 141C) & Trigonometry (MATH 142C) |
| Fullerton College | College Algebra (MATH 141 or 143) & Trigonometry (MATH 142 or 144) |
| Golden West College | Precalculus (MATH G170), or College Algebra (G115) & Trigonometry (G120) |
| Irvine Valley College | Precalculus (MATH 2) |
| Orange Coast College | Precalculus (MATH A170) |
| Saddleback College | Precalculus (MATH 2) |
| Santa Ana College | Precalculus (MATH 170), or College Algebra (MATH 140) & Trigonometry (MATH 162) |
| Santiago Canyon College | Precalculus (MATH 171) |
WHAT TO EXPECT
Take a moment to browse through the past programming of the Undergraduate Research Experience. This can give you an idea of what you might expect if selected to participate in URE25. This includes faculty & projects, syllabi, and calendars:
FACULTY & PROJECTSFeel free to browse through the list of mentors and research projects that have been available in prior years. |
URE SYLLABI & CalendarsThe URE syllabi provide general information about the assignments that were required for the program. The URE calendars provide a general timeline of what to expect. |
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| 2024 |
URE24 Faculty & Research Projects
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URE24 Syllabus & Calendar
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| 2023 |
URE23 Faculty & Research Projects
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URE23 Syllabus & Calendar
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| 2022 |
URE22 Faculty & Research Projects
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URE22 Syllabus & Calendar
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| 2021 |
URE21 Faculty & Research Projects
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URE21 Syllabus & Calendar
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| 2020 |
URE20 Faculty & Research Projects
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URE20 was canceled due to the pandemic |
| 2019 |
URE19 Faculty & Research Projects
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| 2018 |
URE18 Faculty & Research Projects
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| 2017 |
URE17 Faculty & Research Projects
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