Eligibility

For the MURPPS Program participants must: 

Be eligible for need-based financial aid and meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be a first generation college student (neither parent achieving a BA or BS)
  • Be a previous participant in a "pre-college' outreach program (e.g. Upward Bound, EAOP, STEP, etc.)

Participants must also:

  • Be declared a Mathematics or Physical Sciences major
  • Test into Math 12 or higher
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Have and maintain a 2.70 UC cumulative GPA
  • Priority consideration is given to students who are low-income, and/or first-generation (neither parent nor legal guardian has a Bachelor's degree), and who intend to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. after graduation.  This program is not open to students intending to pursue professional degrees such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, management, or law.

Students who have transferred from a community college are especially encouraged to apply.

Elya Kandahari

There are two pathways in which to take advantage of the MURPPS program
 

Pathway #1 - MURPPS Scholars:  

Outstanding students may be selected as MURPPS Research Scholars and receive stipends to conduct research with a faculty mentor.  Stipend amounts range from $500 to $3,500 for the summer (TBD based on options for summer programming) and up to $1,000 per quarter during the Academic Year.  The research activities can take place during:
            a) summer only.  We are now accepting applications for summer.  See below for deadlines.
            b) academic year. Applications for the academic year are due in March and October.  
            c) both of the above.
 
Students applying for a Scholar position must be actively engaged in undergraduate research with a faculty Principal Investigator (PI) prior to applying. A letter of recommendation is required for Scholar applicants.

MURPPS Scholars meet regularly for advising appointments with the MURPPS Administrative Director.

Pathway #2 - MURPPS Emerging Scholars:  

Students accepted as MURPPS Emerging Scholars do not receive research stipends but may participate in any of the MURPPS program activities such as workshops, seminars, and field trips.  

Financial Support for Scholars

  • $1,000/quarter
  • Summer stipends range from $500-$3,500 (TBD based on options for summer programming)

Program Expectations

The MURPPS program has high expectations for our research scholars. We offer extensive academic and research support throughout the year so students can maximize their potential and successfully obtain their educational goals.

Scholars are expected to:

  • Actively participate in all workshops, seminars, and assignments, and utilize individual support services whenever appropriate, while maintaining at least a 2.7 UC cumulative GPA or better, and a full-time course load during the academic year.
  • Spend a minimum of 8-10 hours/week in research lab each quarter during the academic year and 30-35 hours/week during summer (if applicable).
  • Present at the Undergraduate Research Conference at UC Davis, and the Research Scholars Symposium (summer scholars)
  • At all times conduct themselves in a manner that fosters collegiality, honesty, safety, and respect for self and others in accordance with the University’s Code of Academic Conduct, and aspire to the goals outlined in the Principles of Community.  Through active participation, students are expected to adhere to CAMP guidelines and to be models of excellence and personal integrity by their faculty and peers.
Elya Kandahari

Application Information and Deadlines


Application is due Monday, October 6, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. (Extended Deadline)

Application materials include:

  • MURPPS Online Application
  • Personal statement
  • Letters of Recommendation are required for scholar applicants only and are due by October 10, 2025 (If you need more time for a letter of recommendation, email urc@ucdavis.edu.) 

MURPPS Application


For more information about MURPPS, contact Lolita Adkins at lrnelson@ucdavis.edu, or urc@ucdavis.edu, or visit the Undergraduate Research Center, 2300 Student Community Center.

 

MURPPS logo (web of different colored shapes and symbols inside the shape of a lightbulb)

 

 

The MURPPS program is funded by the Office of the Dean, College of Letters & Science and is administered through the Undergraduate Research Center.