If you are considering taking a year off to do research with a mentor or a particular program, we have put together some options you can explore below. We have also provided the information below for those considering one of the UCLA combined degree programs to which we will have information sessions and meetings to help you with obtaining the necessary information about deadlines and each programs application process.
Important information for students seeking independent grant funding.
Extramural grant proposals submitted without research faculty mentor, Dean's Office and the UCLA Office of Contract and Grant Administration (OCGA) approval cannot be accepted or processed by the Dean's Office for funds management and disbursement.
If you are thinking of applying to an external research summer opportunity or yearlong research opportunities that requires a formal grant proposal application or the university receiving and administrating grant funds, please discuss with your faculty research mentor, assistant dean, or program director before you begin the proposal application process so they can determine if you will need approval from the UCLA Office of Contract and Grant Administration (OCGA) before submitting.
All outgoing grants must follow strict university guidelines and protocols and must be approved by OCGA before submitting. All grants processed through OCGA require multiple signatures by leadership prior to submission (UCLA clinical department chair/division, medical school Dean, etc). Only OCGA has the authority for agreements with government, non-profit, and higher education organizations.
All UCLA grants must be approved by OCGA before they are submitted to outside funders. OCGA assists the campus research community in reviewing, approving, and submitting proposal applications and negotiating and executing contracts and grants from government and non-profit sponsors.
Options outside of UCLA
See information about Articulated/Current Degree Programs
You could also apply for funding for a research year fellowship in the Dean’s Leadership in Health and Science Scholarship program, but that is typically done at UCLA.
The Dean’s Leadership in Health and Science Scholarship is a unique opportunity for students seeking to take an additional year in medical school to pursue research and scholarship and/or an additional degree. Through the generosity of Irma and Norman Switzer, we have established a fund that provides support to enable up to 8-10 medical students per year to pursue an additional year, in which they may engage full time in research or work towards an additional degree. The scholarship will provide a full-year stipend equivalent to that offered by many external grants of this type, for students who stay at UCLA or go to another site. For those students staying at UCLA, the scholarship will also provide funds for tuition and fees up to a maximum equal to the amount of DGSOM tuition and fees. For those students seeking an additional degree, students should be accepted into a degree program at the time of application.
For more information please contact:
Shamar Jones - Research Advisor
