Faculty Mentor Program (FMP)

The Faculty Mentor Program (FMP) is a two-quarter program that takes place during Winter and Spring quarters. FMP students are required to participate during both quarters.

*The deadline to register for 99/199 may be earlier than the application deadline, depending on the department. For instance, the recommended submission through TEA to receive BISP 99/199 for Winter Quarter is December 4, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

FMP students are required to enroll in 99/199, and this process is separate from the application process. Students enroll for 99/199 on their own (FMP does not register students).

• Mentored research experience: Conduct research mentored by a UC San Diego faculty member.
• Academic credit: Get 4 units of 99 or 199 Independent Study credit for each quarter you participate in FMP. In most cases, these units can count toward your major’s requirements.
• Network: A close rapport with a faculty mentor can open up your world to a wider research community. In addition to a professor, students typically work with academic researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students.
• Professional development: A series of workshops on academic writing, researching, creating research posters, and exploring graduate school. 
• Conference presentation experience: Students in FMP present their research at a poster symposium during Spring Quarter.
• Co-Curricular Record: After completing the program, you have the option of adding your FMP participation and your experience as a conference presenter to your co-curricular record (CCR), which highlights your involvement and achievement in opportunities beyond the classroom. The CCR is incorporated into your official UC San Diego transcript.

• Enroll in a 99 or 199 independent study course for each quarter of participation in the program. Note that FMP students complete this enrollment themselves (the program does not enroll them in 99/199). Information can be found here. 
• Commit to be in the program for both Winter and Spring quarters, and commit to at least 12 hours per week on research-related and professional development activities during each quarter.
• Meet with faculty mentor at least 1 hour per week.
• Attend the required seminars and workshops during each quarter in the program.
• Submit a research proposal at the end of Winter Quarter and a final write-up at the end of Spring Quarter.
• Present a research poster at the Mentored Undergraduate Research and Applied Learning Symposium (MURALS).

• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 at the beginning of the program (Winter Quarter).
• Be registered as a UC San Diego undergraduate student while participating in the FMP.
• Have sophomore standing (45 completed units) or above by the time the program begins.
• Be able to commit at least 12 hours a week to research-related and professional development activities each quarter of participation.
• Be able to commit to both consecutive quarters of the program (Winter and Spring).

International, undocumented, visiting, and transfer students are all eligible as long as they fulfill the above requirements.

Find a faculty mentor

• Don't wait! Students should find a mentor and discuss a potential research project before adding that faculty member's name and email to the FMP application.
• Students are responsible for finding and contacting their own mentor, but the FMP coordinator can help if you're having a hard time. For tips, review our page on how to find a mentor. Start looking for a mentor as you're filling out the general application—be proactive!
• The faculty mentor needs to hold a faculty position (e.g., assistant professor, associate professor) and be teaching at UC San Diego. Other individuals (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, research scientists) may contribute significantly to an FMP student's mentoring, but there must be a faculty member who is the Mentor of Record.

Expectations of the faculty mentor - When contacting/meeting with potential mentors, be sure to share this list with them so they know the expectations before agreeing to be your mentor.

• Understand that the student researcher is required to work at least 10 hours a week on research activities which the mentor will assign. The student researcher will also be required to participate in various professional development activities which will be organized by the Undergraduate Research Hub.
• Provide at least one hour a week of direct individual supervision, or assign someone to assist the student in the mentor's stead.
• Serve as the instructor for the student researcher in a 4-unit 99/199 Independent Study during both quarters of participation (unless discussed otherwise with the student and FMP coordinator).
• Provide a reading list of literature in the field and training in research techniques as appropriate for the project, and be available to answer the student’s questions as necessary.
• Understand that the student researcher will be required to present their research at Mentored Undergraduate Research and Applied Learning Symposium (MURALS) at the end of Spring Quarter.

There are 4 items required to apply to the FMP; note that these items are for the FMP application itself. In addition to completing these items/applying to the FMP, students must also enroll in 99 or 199 Independent Study. See instructions on how to do so here.

1. Applications

• General Application and Undergraduate Application (When you finish the general application, you will be automatically directed to complete the undergraduate application.)
• FMP Application (After you finish the previous two applications, you will be given the opportunity to choose to complete the FMP application.)

2. Description of proposed research (as part of the FMP application)

• Provide a brief description of the project and/or research activities you plan to conduct under the guidance of your faculty mentor. If possible, elaborate on what type(s) of research methodologies you will be conducting (e.g. library/archival research, clinical research, fieldwork, bench work, etc.) and how you plan on maintaining contact with your mentor. (350 words max)
  

3. Transcripts

• If you are an incoming transfer student (You do not have a UC San Diego GPA):
  • A copy of your unofficial transcript(s) from previous school(s) (community colleges, other universities, etc.)
• If you have attended UC San Diego for at least 1 quarter:
  • A copy of your unofficial UC San Diego transcript - (How to download your transcript)
  • If you completed coursework prior to attending UC San Diego (e.g., transfer credits), they will appear on your UC San Diego transcript. You do not need to upload transfer transcripts.

4. Mentor name and contact information

• Once you save your faculty mentor's information in the application, an email is automatically sent to that person asking them to agree a number of statements with regards to their support to mentor you in FMP. (NOT a formal letter of recommendation.)
• The faculty mentor needs to complete this section before the application deadline.

Interested in a career in medicine, healthcare, or clinical research?

The Faculty Mentor Program Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program (FMP EMRAP) is a joint program through the Faculty Mentor Program (FMP) and the Department of Emergency Medicine. This program was created to expand research opportunities for students interested in careers in medicine or a future in clinical research.

Please note that FMP EMRAP has a different deadline from the general FMP program. 

Find out more about the FMP Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program.