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LAEP AY Research

Interested in getting paid to conduct research during the academic year?

The Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) is funded by the California Student Aid Commission to support students with financial need. LAEP provides funds to participating public postsecondary educational institutions to offer eligible students opportunities to earn money to help pay their educational costs while gaining career-related experience in their fields of study.

You will be hired as a UROC RA – Research Assistant - and will be paid to conduct research with faculty at UC Merced.

Students will also enroll in a one-unit asynchronous, remote course (USTU 030: Research Skills) to ensure they are getting updated information and make progress to complete their research project. 


LAEP is managed by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC). For questions, please email uroc@ucmerced.edu 

The application for this academic year is now closed. We will open an application for Spring semester based on funding availability and program capacity.

The program's success in its inaugural year was highlighted recently in a campus news article with a few scholar stories. News Article

Eligibility:

  • Eligible to work in the United States (work authorization paperwork required to be hired)
  • California resident
  • Meet financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Be in good academic standing with your school and major
  • Enrolled at least half-time at UC Merced as an undergraduate student
  • First-generation college students, low-income students, students who are current or former foster youth, homeless students or those at risk of becoming homeless, students with disabilities, displaced workers, students with dependent children, formerly incarcerated students, undocumented students, students meeting the requirements of AB 540, and veterans.

Discuss the opportunity with your faculty mentor. This can support your summer project or be an opprtunity for something new. 

Submit this Qualtrics form to express your interest and start the process. After confirmation, UROC will process hiring paperwork and will discuss next steps. 

The Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) form is NOW CLOSED and will reopen next Fall 2023!

LAEP RA Position Details

  • Funding: up to $7,900, depending on your financial need and award eligibility
  • Time/semester: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
  • Faculty Endorsement Required: Faculty will submit confirmation through a Qualtrics form
  • Wage: $17 per hour
  • Weekly Hours: 5 - 18 hours a week. 
    Will typically be approximately 10 hours per week. (This is combined with any other campus employment, not exceeding 18 hours per week for all campus employment.)
  • Reminder - You cannot be paid with LAEP funding for your research if you are receiving course credit (research units/independent study/Honors/Capstone) for that research. Research must NOT conflict with academic year studies.

LAEP General Information

The Learning Aligned Employment Program offers eligible students at public colleges and universities the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment.

Research is not limited to scientific research and can take place outside of an academic discipline. LAEP allows a participating student to conduct research that relates to the student’s area of study, career objective, or the exploration of career objectives.

You can learn more about the program and funding development at csac.ca.gov/laep.

Letter from President Drake and Chancellors regarding the program purpose and intended outcomes. 


Have questions about the program?

Attend virtual open office hours with the UROC team to learn more about the program or have your questions answered. 

Monday 8/21, 10:00am-11:00am Virtual on Zoom

Wednesday 8/23, 1:30pm-2:30pm Virtual on Zoom

UROC will also be at the UC Merced Job Fair on campus.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
10:00am to 2:00pm (PST)
UC Merced Conference Center Ballroom


 

Looking for a faculty mentor or new research project?

We are hosting two events for faculty to share their available projects with students. 

Tuesday, August 23rd 
5:00-6:00PM  |  Virtual on Zoom

Friday, August 26th
3:00-4:00PM | UCM Conference Center 105
Faculty presenters will have posters or will be tabling to share information about their research projects. 
 

Faculty Project Presenters (or click here)

 

Tips to Find a Faculty Mentor


FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions


Want to learn more?

Interested in learning more about the program that’s right for you? Check out our programs page or schedule an appointment with one of our UROC Coordinators:

Jorge Arroyo Schedule an Appointment