UC Leads

UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees
(UC LEADS)

The UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced DegreeS (UC LEADS) Program is a UC system wide academic preparation, two-year program designed to identify educationally and/or economically disadvantaged undergraduates pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), who will conceivably complete doctorate degrees. This program provides students with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in industry, government, public service, and academia following the completion of a doctoral degree, preferably at the University of California. Sophomore students (or juniors planning on staying a complete fifth year) are encouraged to apply.

Summer 2025 Dates: June 23, 2025 - August 15, 2025

Please note: Summer 2025 applications will be accepted from January 15, 2025 - March 1, 2025.

New! UCOP UC LEADS Fellowship for UC LEADS Alumni

UC LEADS Participants who go on to PhD programs in the UC will receive a full package of financial support, including tuition, fees, and stipend/salary support for the normative time of their chosen program (at least 5 years). This package includes:

2 years of fellowship support, including summer stipend
at least 3 years of employment as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), or additional fellowship (depending on the campus or program)
$3000 in moving expenses
$5000 of professional development funding

Potential Faculty Mentors

For Students: Students are encouraged to review the Potential Faculty Mentors list (on the right-hand side of this page under the 2025 Application button). This list includes the names, research interests, and labs of UCR faculty who students may wish to work with.

For Faculty: Faculty who are interested in mentoring a UCR student participating in UC LEADS are encouraged to submit an interest form (on the right-hand side of this page).

Note: The list is non-exhaustive, students may work with UCR faculty members who are not on the list. If a student requires assistance in reaching out to a potential faculty mentor (whether or not they are on the list) the APRO Office can assist.