Science doesn’t stop for summer, but for many undergraduate students, research projects started during the school year can be put on the backburner once school lets out. At the College of Biological Sciences, we’re committed to providing our students with enriching research experiences that pave the way for academic and career success while bolstering their identities as scientists.

The CBS Dean’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program provides funding for undergraduate students, allowing them to continue research projects started during the school year. Designed for students already in a laboratory, this program provides the means to help students continue research through the summer, when they might otherwise leave for summer employment.

Program: Students will be selected to continue their projects during a 10-week summer period where they are expected to spend 40 hours/week in the lab (i.e. not in summer session classes). They’ll meet regularly as a summer cohort with College Leadership to discuss their research projects, their progress and pitfalls of the research process. At the end of the program, students will give a brief project presentation to the group and others in the UC Davis community.

Eligibility: Students must be a CBS major in good standing at the end of their freshman, sophomore or junior year. They must also be conducting their research project in the laboratory of a CBS faculty member.

The Alumni to Aggie Summer Research Award supports the CBS Dean’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program by providing summer stipends to students working in labs. This fund, created by several CBS alumni, wishes to serve students conducting research in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and/or biomedical engineering. Appropriate expenses may include, but are not limited to, student awards, research supplies, and travel expenses. This fund places emphasis on supporting underrepresented populations in biological sciences.

Charles and Nanci Cooper Undergraduate Research Award has up to three awards available for summer research. The award can go to any CBS major who has an interest in gaining research experience. The fund may be used for expenses including, but not limited to, student awards, research supplies, travel experiences and/or stipends.

The Cuppoletti and Malinowska Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has one award available for summer research. The student must be a declared major in either Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Cellular Biology, and have transferred to UC Davis from a community college. Preference will be given to first-generation students with financial need who are from racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in higher education.

The Khaira Family Experiential Learning Fund supports the CBS Dean’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program by providing funding for undergraduate students to have an experiential learning experience in a lab during the summer. This program provides the means to help students who might otherwise have to take on other employment.

The Hinchee Undergraduate Research Award supports the CBS Dean’s Summer Undergraduate Research and has one award available for summer research in 2023. The Award is for students majoring in and conducting research in Plant Biology. Although not required, this award has a preference toward students from underrepresented backgrounds in biological sciences.

Roy H. Doi Undergraduate Research Award has one award available for summer research. The undergraduate student much conduct research in a lab of an MCB faculty member, but can be from any major with sophomore through senior class standing. Preference will be given to first-gen student and/or those student who have financial need.