The Transfer Research Experience (T-REx) for incoming transfer students offers a 4-week program in the summer before the first enrolled quarter (Fall 2025) where you work in a research group in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Physics, and the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, side-by-side with other undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.
Find the program flyer here.
Program Overview
This summer research opportunity requires a commitment to spend about 10 hours per week, for 4 weeks (August – September) on campus for activities including working in a laboratory or computational research environment, performing experiments, participating in instrumentation facility tours, and research group meetings, and networking with researchers at all levels of experience.
To support students during the Summer Research Experience, the Student Success Center at the School of Physical Sciences offers a $1,000 stipend for each participant (**). Housing or transportation is not provided.
In this program, you will participate in:
Research Lab Placement & Mentorship: You will be matched with a faculty mentor in a lab who will guide you through your 4-week research experience.
Transfer Student Socials: There are two in-person mixers with the rest of the program cohort.
(**) This program is supported by a generous gift from The Patricia & Christopher Weil Family Foundation, San Diego.
Application
The short application requires a personal statement (~300 words) describing your motivation to seek research experience, how participation would benefit your personal or career goals and areas of interest.
Prior research experience is not required. There are no GPA or course prerequisite criteria for selection. Space is limited and we expect to fill slots quickly.
Applications are now OPEN! Apply by completing the following form: https://forms.gle/PL6iPj1G1Q5jXea3A.
The deadline to apply is Friday, June 6th at 4:00 PM PT.
Program Dates
The program starts in the week of August with a virtual orientation (two orientations are offered to choose from).
The program will end on September 1st.
*A minimum of 10 hours of research done per week. Scheduling will depend on each faculty mentor.
Questions? Email: student-success-center@ucsd.edu
This program is supported by a generous gift from The Patricia & Christopher Weil Family Foundation, San Diego.
Non Discrimination Statement
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.
More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.