The application for URE26 is live. Please visit our URE Application page for application details and all applications are due on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:59pm
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.
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 $8,500 stipend for their research and participation throughout the summer. Stipend limited to U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and DACA recipients.
URE26 Timeline
The Undergraduate Research Experience will take place between June 15 to August 7, 2026.
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 URE26!
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 as your home campus through Spring 2026.
- Be pursuing your first bachelor's degree.
- Have a declared major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
- Have completed 8 community college units in science, technology, or engineering courses by the start of the program.
- Have met or exceeded the minimum math requirement for your campus by the start of the program. See the chart below.
- Commit at least 40 hours per week during the Undergraduate Research Experience.
- Not work 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 non-stipend volunteers.
- High school diploma or GED is required for the program.
- International students are not eligible for the program.
URE minimum math requirements vary by college. URE participants must meet or exceed the minimum math requirement by the start of URE.
If an applicant is in their first year at community college and wishes to use recent AP scores for Calculus AB (score of 4 or 5) or Calculus BC (score of 3, 4, or 5) to satisfy the URE math minimum eligibility requirement, they must visit the AP website, access AP Scores for Students in PDF format, and include that full report with their application PDF (resume + transcripts). No other AP courses will be considered for URE course requirements.
If applicants have already passed higher level math courses at the community college, please do not submit AP scores as they will not be considered.
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 |
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| Fullerton College |
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| Golden West College |
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| Irvine Valley College | Pre-Calculus (MATH 2) |
| Orange Coast College | Pre-Calculus (MATH A170) |
| Saddleback College | Pre-Calculus for Math (MATH 2) |
| Santa Ana College |
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| Santiago Canyon College |
|
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 URE26. 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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| 2025 |
URE25 Faculty & Research Projects
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URE25 Syllabus & Calendar
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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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