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Research experience can take many forms, from course-based research experience, to campus programs, to intensive summer internships at national laboratories. Research-focused programs often provide hands-on training, professional development, mentorship, and exposure to potential career paths in research. This page lists some research-focused programs at UCSB and elsewhere.

Many of these programs require an application and have specific eligibility requirements based on factors such as academic level, field of study, career interests, and/or research goals. Application timelines also vary, with some opportunities accepting applications nearly a year in advance. We encourage students to explore programs early and plan accordingly.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Program information on this page is current as of Aug 2026 and is subject to change. Please consult individual program websites for the most up-to-date information. Lists on this page are not exhaustive. Opportunities within each section are listed alphabetically; their inclusion or order does not indicate endorsement or recommendations.


UCSB Programs

UCSB offers a variety of research-focused programs that provide mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities for students. This section highlights programs whose representatives may join the SOAR² Pasta & Possibilities session, pending availability. For a more comprehensive list of research opportunities at UCSB, please visit the UCSB Undergraduate Research website.

Opportunity Description
The Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP) Offers several research programs for undergraduate students, including
* EUREKA! Scholars Program for UCSB undergraduate STEM students
* MARC Scholars Program for UCSB undergraduate students interested in pursuing biomedical research at the graduate level.
McNair Scholars Program Prepares first-generation and low-income UCSB undergraduate students interested in pursuing PhD studies in all fields of study.
Materials Research Laboratory Hosts a number of research programs during the academic year and over the summer for UCSB (and external) students, including
* California Alliance for Maximizing Potential (CAMP) for UCSB undergraduate students in STEM majors
* Future Leaders in Advanced Materials (FLAM) for science and engineering students
* Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) for UCSB undergraduate students in STEM majors.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Offers students in the College of Creative Studies opportunities to engage in research, create original works of art, or develop entrepreneurial projects with mentorship from UCSB faculty.
UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) A 24-month program of scientific research and graduate school preparation guided by individual faculty mentors.



External Programs

In addition to opportunities at UCSB, many government agencies, professional organizations, and universities offer research programs for undergraduate students. These experiences often take place during the summer, though some programs also operate throughout the the academic year. Application deadlines for summer programs frequently occur between late Fall and early Winter. Thus, if you are interested in pursuing one of these opportunities, we encourage you to begin exploring opportunities well in advance. Many of these programs also provide housing, travel support, and stipends.

Opportunity Description
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI), Department of Energy (DOE) Provides STEM students with research experience at a DOE laboratory under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers. Internships are typically 10 consecutive weeks during the summer or 16 consecutive weeks during the school year.
Environmental Science Internships across government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies Provide hands-on experience in research, fieldwork, conservation, etc.
NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) For students interested in exploring careers in biomedical research and healthcare. These are full-time paid summer research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers in the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP).
* NIH also has an Academic Internship Program (AIP) for conducting research in the NIH IRP during the school year.
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Supports research programs for undergraduate students. They have a directory of all REU sites that allows for search by research area, location, and keywords.
*UCSB is home to two REU programs: the Future Leaders in Advanced Materials (FLAM) Program and the Summer Research in Physics and Astronomy Program.
Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP), Leadership Alliance Offers fully paid summer internships. These programs aim to provide undergraduate students with training and mentoring in conducting research and prepare them to pursue competitive applications to PhD or MD-PhD programs.
Many academic/research institutions host summer research programs for undergraduate students in various disciplines Here are some examples:
* UCLA hosts Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), a number of which are open to students from outside UCLA.
* The HKUST Summer Undergraduate Research Program (Hong Kong) offers students summer research placements at HKUST, working on HKUST research projects and being immersed in local Hong Kong culture.
* The Caltech WAVE Fellows Program (Caltech, Pasadena, CA) is a 10-week summer research program for undergraduate students seriously considering attending graduate school.



Post-baccalaureate (post-bac) Programs

Post-baccalaureate, or post-bac, programs provide recent graduates with opportunities to gain additional research experience and professional development before pursuing graduate studies or other research careers. These programs typically last one to two years and are increasingly used as a bridge between undergraduate education and advanced training. Pursuing post-bac opportunities could help strengthening research skills, exploring different career paths, building mentoring relationships, or becoming more competitive applicants for graduate and professional programs.

Opportunity Description
American Chemical Society Bridge Programs Includes 1-2-year post-bac opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in the chemical sciences.
NIH Post-bac Program Provides recent college graduates with opportunities to perform full-time research for 1-2 years in the Intramural Research Program at NIH.
Post-bac programs, Leadership Alliance Aim to develop students’ research skills and academic competitiveness for PhD programs.
Many academic/research institutions host post-bac programs in various disciplines Here are some examples:
* The Broad Biomedical Post-baccalaureate Scholars Program (Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA) is a two-year research program for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree and biomedical research.
* The Buck Postbaccalaureate Research Program (Buck Institute, Novato, CA) provides two years of research experience in preparation for advanced degree programs or the biotech industry.
* Yale University offers a couple of Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Programs (PREP), including one with a focus on the history of art and another on cultural heritage.