As of January 15, 2025, the GEAR program will be re-envisioning it's structure with accessibility for all engineering students at the forefront of our planning. Therefore, there were be no application for the 25-26 academic year. Please read below for further details.
Program Overview: NEW AND IMPROVED FOR FALL 2025
Introducing Gear Up2Research (GEAR): This updated format of GEAR is open to all undergraduate students in the Jacobs School of Engineering seeking a pathway to research! As a GEAR participant, you will learn about the foundations of research, discover your own research interests, investigate and pursue research opportunities, and be provided with exclusive networking opportunities among faculty and graduate students who are actively working in labs. In this program you will participate in:
- GEAR Up e-Lab: Start your GEAR program experience by participating in the GEAR Up e-Lab. This experience will provide you with videos and activities in which you will discover research opportunities and how to pursue them.
- Mentorship: Receive additional mentorship from the IDEA Engineering Student Center mentors throughout your GEAR experience.
- Research "Deep Dive" Sessions: Attend special events and panels focused on topics that are covered within your e-Lab.
- Research Community Hours: Gain exclusive access to community hours with graduate students and faculty who are actively involved in research labs. These face-to-face connections are essential to finding your own research experiences.
- Shadowing: Actively shadow lab meetings among faculty, graduate students, and their research assistants.
Why Participate in GEAR Up2Research?
Application to Summer Scholarship: Exclusive application to receive a summer stipend for their research experience, up to $7,500!
Poster Presentation: First offer to participate in the Undergraduate Engineering Research Symposium.
Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Research Community Hours and shadowing are only available to those who have completed or are completing the e-Lab.
Expert Guidance: Seeking a research lab and not sure where to start? That's why we're here. GEAR Up2Research has mentors and staff to help get you started.
How do I get started?
- Students must fully participate in the Gear Up2Research e-Lab and receive their certification in order to gain access to the benefits listed above.
- e-Lab access coming in Fall 2025!
GEAR 2024-2025 Information
Central Gear Mentor
Ben Du
Central Gear Mentor
Jenna Matera
Previous GEAR Projects
Check out our YouTube Playlist for previous projects!
Student Testimonials
"The lab I was placed in is very encouraging...I also love that the program is structured, and I feel like I have support and can reach out to multiple people if I need help..."
"I like how easy it is to communicate with everyone and how accessible it is to reach out if I need help. I also like having the push to read more research papers and explore ideas I otherwise would not have looked into."
News
Helping students make the most of undergraduate research
Two Jacobs School of Engineering programs are helping undergraduates broaden their understanding of what it means to study engineering by getting involved in engineering research. The Guided Engineering Apprenticeship in Research and Early Research Scholars Program bring second-year undergraduates into university research labs, where they work on team projects that contribute to the actual research mission of the lab. Both programs are aimed at students with no previous research experience and from traditionally underrepresented groups in engineering, and provide mentorship from people within the research lab, as well as outside guidance, mentorship and community building opportunities.
Questions? Contact Sara Eckardt at sleckardt@ucsd.edu
Non Discrimination Statement
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the GEAR 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.