Bioscience Scholars participants are matched with an appropriate faculty member based on research interests. There are over 400 faculty mentors in the following 11 research areas.

• Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Cell & Developmental Biology
• Gene Regulation, Epigenomics & Transcriptomics
• Genetics & Genomics
• Immunity, Microbes & Molecular Pathogenesis
• Medical Informatics
• Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology
• Molecular Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Physics & Biology in Medicine

On Hiatus: We will not have a Bioscience Scholars Program (BSP) summer 2024. Please check Fall 2024 for any updates about summer 2025.

The program aims to contribute to diversity, inclusion, and the elimination of barriers to participation in bioscience research careers and is designed for students in honors research programs that foster transition to doctoral programs (such as Maximizing Access to Research Careers–MARC, Initiative for Maximizing Student Development – IMSD, and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation – LSAMP).

Requirements:

1. U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, AB540
2. Must be available to participate in all 8 or 10 weeks of the program. 
3. Undergraduates enrolled in four-year colleges and universities in the U.S., Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories.
4. Prior to beginning the program, completion of at least two years of undergraduate study
5. Students with 3 quarters or 2 semesters of research experience by the beginning of the program. (Juniors and Seniors must NOT currently be applying to graduate school.) 
6. Participants may NOT be UCLA students; UCLA students should consider other summer research opportunities such as CARE SEM or Amgen Scholars
7. Minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0
8. Intention to pursue a Ph.D. or a joint M.D./Ph.D. in a bioscience field and not admitted to or enrolled in a graduate program (M.S. or Ph.D.) at the time the program begins

• Academic preparation and achievement
• Relevance of research interests, experiences, and goals
• Potential for the program to help the applicant achieve his/her career goals
• Potential to contribute to diversity, inclusion, and the elimination of barriers to participation in bioscience research careers

• Stipend & Food Allowance: $4,000 for 8 weeks, $5000 for 10 weeks
• Room and board: on-campus housing and some meals are provided
• Travel allowance: up to $500 for out-of-state students; up to $250 for California residents
• Fee waiver for UCLA Graduate Application

Take a look at our BSP Highlights and check out the experiences of previous students.

On Hiatus: We will not have a Bioscience Scholars Program (BSP) summer 2024. Please check Fall 2024 for any updates about summer 2025.

• Submit UCLA SPUR online application form
• Select “Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research: Life and Biomedical Sciences (SPUR-LABS) as the summer program.”

• Format: Your packet must be a single PDF file, 12-point font, single-spaced, 1inch margins
• Email to: spurlabs@mednet.ucla.edu 
• Subject line: Application – Your Last Name, Your First Name (e.g., Application – Moraga, Gloria)
• Include:
  1. Cover Page
  2. Research Interests
  3. Personal Statement (including Diversity Contribution)
  4. Transcript

• Your Name
• Undergraduate institution and current class year (e.g. junior, senior)
• Current GPA
• List any undergraduate research programs you have participated in
• Indicate whether you are applying for the eight week or ten week option

• List, in order of preference, up to three of the following research training areas
  • Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Cell & Developmental Biology
  • Gene Regulation
  • Genetics & Genomics
  • Immunity, Microbes & Molecular Pathogenesis
  • Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology
  • Molecular Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Physics & Biology in Medicine
• List, in order of preference, five faculty members with whom you are interested in training

• 2 pages maximum
• Content Addresses: 
  • Research Interests & Experience – Describe your prior research experience and accomplishments, your current bioscience research interest, and other relevant personal or professional experiences. 
  • Academic and Career Goals – Describe why you are interested in the UCLA Bioscience Scholars program, your education and career goals, and how this summer program will help you achieve those goals.
  • Diversity Contribution – Address ways in which your personal background, experiences, and/or accomplishments contribute to diversity, inclusion, and the elimination of barriers to participation in bioscience research careers.

Either the Unofficial or official copy of your most recent academic transcript will be accepted

• The two letters of recommendation must be from science faculty
• Letters should be signed on university letterhead, scanned, and sent by the recommender to spurlabs@mednet.ucla.edu by the deadline
  • Preferred Subject line: LOR – Applicant Last Name, Applicant First Name (e.g., LOR – Smith, Tom)