UCLA Humanities offers or provides access to funding opportunities for current undergraduates to partake in travel study and individualized research.
The Richard and Gerrie Leeds Study Abroad Scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Richard and Gerrie Leeds. This scholarship is available to UCLA undergraduate students in the Humanities. Priority will be given to students with high financial need and who have not studied abroad. See Eligibility Criteria.
Lists of Humanities majors and Humanities minors can be found on the division website.
Note: The International Education Office strives to provide scholarship funds broadly to assist the maximum number of applicants. As such, multiple awards per applicant are unlikely.
Award
$2,500
Deadline
November 15, 2024 is the deadline for Winter and Spring Quarters 2025
March 1, 2025 is the deadline for Summer and Fall Quarters 2025
Supplemental questions
- Please state your study abroad program/term.
- Are you pursuing a major or a minor in the humanities?
- Have you had prior study abroad experience during the course of your degree program?
- Please describe how (or if) your field of study relates to your study abroad program. Give two specific examples, explaining how your study abroad program will help you achieve your academic and career goals. (300 words)
- Please share an example(s) of a time in which you demonstrated open-mindedness, resilience or resourcefulness. How has that prepared you to be successful while studying abroad? (300 words)
The UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards program is directed through the Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Education and administered by the Undergraduate Research Center–Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
The UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards are awarded to juniors and seniors who have a strong commitment to research and who are completing a comprehensive independent research or creative project, capstone project, or a departmental honors thesis under the mentorship of a UCLA faculty member. Program participants are referred to as Keck Fellows.
The UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards program supports research and creative activity by undergraduates at UCLA in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. Keck Fellows receive an $8,000 scholarship, are eligible for up to $2,000 in additional research funds, and participate in regular workshops on research and professional skills.
Through doing research in the humanities, arts and social sciences, students learn to articulate their thoughts with clarity and imagination, and to interpret the world of ideas with informed sensitivity in preparation for a culturally rich life as informed and humane citizens.
This opportunity is thanks to the W.M. Keck Foundation. Established in 1954 in Los Angeles, the Keck Foundation is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic organizations. Each of its grant programs invests in people and programs that are making a difference in the quality of life, now and for the future.
Keck recipients:
- Receive an $8,000 scholarship spread evenly across fall, winter and spring quarters
- Are eligible to receive up to $2,000 in additional research funds pending approval (budget to be submitted as part of application; funds to be disbursed in fall quarter)
- Conduct a research or creative project for 3 quarters (fall, winter, and spring) and enroll in an upper-division research contract course for at least 2 of the 3 quarters
- Complete and submit a departmental honors thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive independent research or creative project
- Present their project at a winter colloquium and at Undergraduate Research Week
- Attend three workshops/events on research skills and professionalization per quarter
- Meet regularly with Graduate Mentors
- Submit a summary of their project and a photo for an online profile
In addition, faculty mentors of Keck Fellows will receive $1,500 for their research fund.
Eligibility
- Junior level standing or higher
- 3.25 GPA or higher
- Enrolled full-time in fall, winter, and spring quarters
- Committed to completing a departmental honors thesis, research-based capstone project, or comprehensive research or creative project for 3 quarters (fall, winter, and spring)
- Permanent residents, international, undocumented, DACA, and AB540 students are eligible to apply
- Students who have received previous scholarships (including Research Revealed, URFP, and URSP) from the Undergraduate Research Center are eligible to apply
- Students cannot be a previous recipient of the UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards
- Cannot be a concurrent recipient of a research program scholarship while participating, including those through the Undergraduate Research Centers, AAP, College Honors, the Center for Community Learning, Education Abroad Programs or academic departments
Deadline
June 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
How to apply
Click here for detailed instructions on how to approach each aspect of the application: URSP/Keck application instructions
The UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards and the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program share an application. Students can choose to apply to one or both programs.
The application opens in early to mid-May. To apply, submit an application online. Visit MyUCLA, click on “Campus Life,” and select “Survey” to access the application titled “Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and the UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards.”
The application consists of the following components:
- Statement of previous undergraduate research experience (if applicable)
- Academic plan (study list)
- Project title
- Research or creative project proposal
- Personal statement
- Optional budget with itemized expenses for up to $2,000 in research funds. View a sample budget in the URSP/Keck application instructions.
- Letter of recommendation from your faculty mentor. Be sure to ask your faculty mentor early and provide them with the URSP/Keck letter of recommendation form.
Students conducting creative projects can email us at urhass@college.ucla.edu to inquire about submitting supporting documents such as a portfolio of their work.
If you have any questions, please email the Undergraduate Research Center or schedule a virtual advising appointment with a Graduate Student Mentor to discuss your project. The Undergraduate Research Center also hosts URSP info sessions and workshops on how to write a research or creative proposal. Click here for a list of upcoming workshops and info sessions.
All materials must be submitted by the deadline.
For more information, contact the Undergraduate Research Center – Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. A334 Murphy Hall, 310-825-2935. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.