Undergraduate Awards

Overview

  • Awards are distributed annually and the amounts vary.
  • All information is subject to change or cancellation without notice.
  • Each application must mention the student’s full name and UCLA ID number.
  • Monetary awards are considered taxable income. If you are receiving Financial Aid, the award payment may be applied to your student loan.
  • For more information, please contact the Vice Chair of Undergraduate Studies.

Types of Awards

Althea Caravacci-Reynolds Undergraduate Research Award

Undergraduate research awards in the amount of $1,500 to two Italian Majors or Double Majors. The award is offered annually by the family of the late Althea Caravacci-Reynolds.

Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a statement not to exceed one page in length, explaining how the research award would enable them to complete a clearly designed research project. Applicants must possess a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. 

The award will be presented at a reception that will be attended by family members of Althea Caravacci-Reynolds and donors to the endowed fund.

Award 1 ($1,500) will be given for summer research. Juniors and seniors may apply but preference will be given to juniors. Applicants for this award must submit a resume, including the names of two Italian faculty members as references, and a statement not to exceed one page in length, explaining how the research award would enable them to complete a clearly designed research project preferably over the summer, and preferably in Italy. The recipient must submit the results of their research, in no more than 15 pages, at the beginning of the quarter after which the award was assigned, along with a one page account of how the award proved beneficial. The required application material must be e-mailed to Prof. Thomas Harrison.

Award 2 ($1,500) will be given to the best Italian senior capstone thesis project. Faculty nominates promising candidates for this award, or students may also self-nominate and apply by and apply by sending a 1-page summary of their capstone project, and later a draft, along with their resumé and the name of their capstone adviser to Prof. Thomas Harrison.

Professor Althea Caravacci-Reynolds (1916-1998) was a teacher of Italian language and culture in the UCLA Department of Italian for four decades. She served as the Director for the Education Abroad Program, Undergraduate Advisor, and a member of the UCLA Academic Senate and the Emeriti Committee. Her special interests were in methodology and Italian theatre, which she incorporated in her classes by regularly staging and producing Italian plays, using her students as actors. High school students and members of the community attended the stage productions, which were held at UCLA. Professor Reynolds received numerous awards for her dedicated work to enhance Italian culture and art in Southern California. They included a knighthood from the Italian government, a gold medal from the Italian Ministry of Fine Arts, a bronze medal from the Italian Ministry of Culture, and the title of Cavaliere al merito della Repubblica italiana.

Arnold Heidsieck Scholarship

This scholarship is specifically designed for undergraduate students wishing to pursue long-term study in Germany, either through the Education Abroad Program (EAP) or direct enrollment, for a minimum of one quarter / semester to a maximum of one academic year. Applications are due in mid-Spring quarter, and should include the following materials: CV, one page personal statement describing the program and length of study, declared or intended UCLA Major and Minor in Germanic Language, a budget, information on additional budget sources, and financial need.

French Foundation of California Education Abroad Awards

Up to five prizes of $2,000 each will be awarded on a competitive basis. Eligibility is based on the following criteria:

1) French majors participating in the education abroad program in France in the following academic year,
2) who were not born in France,
3) who have never studied in France before,
4) who have completed two years of course work in French at UCLA.

Eligible candidates should send a letter of intent to the Chair of the Awards Committee, explaining their commitment to French Studies and their plan of study overseas.

Nantes and Paris Summer Program Awards

One $2,000 prize from the Carol Minuck Fund for French Education and five $2,000 prizes from the Edgaro and Francesca Acosta Fund will be awarded to Nantes and Paris Summer Program participants based on financial need and excellence in French courses.

    • Carol Minuck Fund for French Education: One prize of $2,000 will be awarded based on excellence in French courses. Students must submit a letter explaining their commitment to French studies, a copy of their DPR, and a letter of support from a recent French instructor, to Thomas Harrison, 212 Royce Hall, Campus. 951550.
    • The Edgaro and Francesca Acosta Fund: Five prizes of $2,000 each will be awarded on financial need and excellence in French courses. Students must submit a letter explaining their commitment to French studies, a copy of their DPR, a copy of their Financial Aid Statement, and a letter of evaluation from a recent French instructor, to Thomas Harrison, 212 Royce Hall, Campus. 951550.
UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Award

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. These 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.

This 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.

For more information on the UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards program, please click here.

Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP)

The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) is directed through the Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Education and administered by the Undergraduate Research Center–Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

The URSP scholarship is 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.

URSP recipients:

  • Receive a $4,500 scholarship (juniors) or $6,000 scholarship (seniors)
  • 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 Undergraduate Research Week
  • Submit a summary of their project and a photo for an online profile

For more information on the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP), please click here.