What is UC LEADS?
UC LEADS (Leadership Excellence Through Advanced DegreeS) program was started in 2000. It is funded by the University of California, Office of the President and the California State Legislature. Each UC campus has a UC LEADS program. The UC LEADS program provides students with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in industry, government, public service and academia. Additional benefits include: research experience, research stipends, GRE preparation, seminars/workshops, advising, networking and travel to professional meetings.
Program Eligibility
- Current UC Davis undergraduate student in good academic standing
- Science, technology, mathematics or engineering major
- Educationally and/or economically disadvantaged
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Interested in research (note: you do not have to have previous research experience to apply to this program)
- Seasoned UC Davis sophomore or rising junior standing (transfer students currently at UC Davis are encouraged to apply). Since this is a two-year program, UC LEADS scholars will need to be available to spend one summer performing research at UC Davis and then a second summer performing research at another UC campus.
- Interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in the UC system
Program Components
- Research experience (all year)
- Research symposiums and conferences
- Professional/scientific meetings
- Enrichment opportunities
- Travel to other campuses
- Academic advising
- Seminars and workshops
Program Benefits
- Opportunity to meet other students interested in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM)
- GRE preparation
- Leadership skills
- Presentation skills
- Graduate school application help
- Potential source for future letters of recommendation
- Student study center
- Academic credit (1 to 5 points)
- Financial stipends
Financial Support
- Junior Year
- $3,500 during summer
- Up to and additional $3000 paid during summer for academic year expenses (conferences, campus travel, visits, GRE exam, professional development, etc.)
- Senior Year
- $4,500 during summer
- Housing, travel, meals* expenses covered/reimbursable
- Up to and additional $3000 paid during summer for academic year expenses (conferences, campus travel, visits, GRE exam, professional development, etc.)