Research Resources

Below are a number of research organizations on campus that seek to connect students with research opportunities. This is a non-exhaustive list and students are encouraged to do their own research on research.

Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarships (OURS)

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships (OURS) is UC Berkeley’s hub for undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships.  Established in 1997, OURS seeks to integrate undergraduates more fully into the dynamic and diverse research life of UC Berkeley. 

Prestigious Scholarships Office

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships (OURS) Prestigious Scholarships Office manages the Scholarships Connection website. The site is UC Berkeley's clearinghouse for information on scholarships that are funded by sources outside the University. Hundreds of scholarship notices are received each year. Competition for these awards may be local, national, or international in scope, and scholarship deadlines and requirements vary.

Haas Scholars Program

Haas Scholars come from all walks of life and every major on campus, but they are united by their desire to strive for excellence–both in their individual academic pursuits, and as an interdisciplinary cohort. (International students and undocumented students are welcome and encouraged to apply.) Applicants are evaluated primarily on the merit and originality of their proposal for an independent research or creative project that will serve as the basis for a senior or honors thesis. Once selected, Haas Scholars receive close mentoring from members of the UC-Berkeley faculty, seminars and workshops to assist them in the research and writing process, the opportunity to present their work at a professional conference, and up to $13,800 each in financial support. 

Stronach Prize

The Judith Lee Stronach Baccalaureate Prize supports intellectual and creative pursuits that heighten awareness of issues of social consciousness and contribute to the public good. The award gives motivated students the opportunity to extend and reflect upon their undergraduate work at Berkeley by undertaking a special project after their graduation. Winning projects are creative in the broadest sense, explore themes of significant interest to holders of the Prize, and strive to further understanding of what constitutes humane and effective participation in our worldwide community.

Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP)

The Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) is designed to involve Berkeley undergraduates more deeply in the research life of the University. The Program provides opportunities for you to work with faculty and staff researchers on the cutting edge research projects for which Berkeley is world-renowned. Working closely with mentors, you will deepen your knowledge and skills in areas of special interest, while experiencing what it means to be part of an intellectual community engaged in research.

Underrepresented Researchers of Color (UROC)

Underrepresented Researchers of Color (UROC) serves as a pipeline to increase representation of marginalized students in research programs and grad schools, and seek to build a community of researchers of color. As research is an extremely isolating and exclusive process at this institution, UROC seeks to dismantle this. Furthermore, students of color perform low rates of research at this research institution, alongside research programs on campus having low representation and acceptance rates of students of color. In other words, marginalized students receive little to no mentorship and access to resources to conduct their research/projects. UROC exists to bridge this gap.

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)

The SURF L&S fellowship allows UC Berkeley undergraduates in the College of Letters and Science to spend the summer doing concentrated research in preparation for a senior thesis. Fellows receive $5000. These fellowships are supported by a number of private donors.

Research in Departments Related to CogSci

Majoring in cognitive science gives students a number of research opportunities in many different departments on campus. Below are some of the departments that are most related to cognitive science and the general interests of students in the major. 

Other Areas to Look for Research Opportunities 

Beehive*

As a year-round, student-run platform for undergraduate research at Berkeley, Beehive aims to fill the gaps left behind by existing programs like URAP and SURF, which typically provide opportunities on a cyclical basis, have dedicated administrative staff, and award academic units. Beehive is especially valuable for faculty and graduate student researchers who wish to recruit undergraduates for summer, informal, short-term, or otherwise off-cycle projects (e.g. after the URAP deadline). As part of its collaboration with student representatives in the ASUC, it hopes to encourage higher undergraduate participation in academic research.

*Most appropriate for students who have a strong background in coding and/or engineering.

Center for Computational Biology (CBB)

CCB combines the research strengths and interests of over 40 faculty from fourteen different departments and five colleges, each among the best in the world, to provide unparalleled opportunities for innovative foundational and applied research and learning at the interface of computation and biology.

Discovery Hub

The Discovery Hub connects undergraduates to the incredible variety of experiential learning opportunities at UC Berkeley. From research opportunities to public service, from creative projects to entrepreneurial collaborations, the Hub will help you navigate campus, connect with mentors and collaborators, and build projects that positively impact the world.

Diversifying Access to Research in Engineering (DARE)*

DARE is a UC Berkeley program created to match undergraduate students with research opportunities in EECS and to promote diversity. Its mission is to encourage and assist students in finding long lasting research opportunities that also fit their interests and abilities. It welcomes all interested students with strong academic performance to apply.

*Most appropriate for students who have a strong background in coding and/or engineering.

Fung Fellowship

The Fung Fellowship is a model of discovery education at UC Berkeley—an immersive undergraduate learning experience that inspires students to become innovators for social good. Partnering with the School of Public Health and the Rausser College of Natural Resources, the Fung Fellowship currently offers two courses for students to choose from based on their passion, interest, and desired area for impact.

Population Science at UC Berkeley

Berkeley population scientists are conducting pathbreaking theoretical and empirical research spanning a broad range of topics in the population sciences, from basic science to policy.  Notable interdisciplinary areas include formal demography and data science; biodemography and genetics; social mobility and health disparities; and behavioral economics approaches for reproductive health policy.  Several specialized research centers on campus encourage innovative scholarship through pilot grants, small conferences and support in the development of major project proposals.  

Student Learning Center's Research Associate Program

The SLC Research Associate Program seeks to demystify the research process and acclimate students to the rigor and practice of research at Cal. RAP fellows acquire the tools to produce an original research project from start to finish and receive both a stipend and individualized academic support for their work. Currently, SLCRAP support is tailored to low-income, first-generation junior transfer students.

Undergraduate Laboratory @ Berkeley (ULAB)

ULAB believes that every student interested in participating in research at Berkeley should have the opportunity to do so. It is committed to individually helping new students find research on campus, developing student-led research projects, and connecting & supporting students already involved in research.