Triton Research and Experiential Learning Scholars (TRELS) - Quarterly

NOTE: Before beginning your application, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page (https://ugresearch.ucsd.edu/research-programs/trels/quarterly.html#Frequently-Asked-Questions) for more information about how to best prepare a successful application.

ELIGIBILITY: All current UC San Diego undergraduates pursuing any major are eligible to apply. A GPA of at least 2.5 is required in order to participate. This program is intended to expose students to experiential learning, including, but not limited to research, artistic or creative projects, and public service opportunities, under the guidance of a UC San Diego faculty member. There is a particular emphasis on serving students who may face obstacles in pursuing such opportunities.

The specific program objectives are:

• Introduce students to what experiential learning looks like in their field, and promote an understanding that experiential learning encompasses more than just research.
• Provide students with an understanding of the collaborative processes involved in research, creative work production, and other experiential learning practices.
• Increase participation in experiential learning opportunities for underrepresented and low-income students.

Exclusions:
During the award period, you may not participate in the following—

  • departmental 199 (independent research) or other class credit for the project (e.g. honors thesis)
  • payment for the same work being proposed for TRELS
  • participation in another structured research program

The Undergraduate Colleges at UC San Diego pledge at least one TRELS award per cycle per college for student projects engaged in experiential learning related to the Black Experience (TRELS-BE). Although it is not a requirement, we encourage TRELS-BE projects that are consistent with the mission or theme of the student’s Undergraduate College. Applications not selected for a TRELS-BE award will automatically be considered for a general TRELS scholarship.

For students proposing either a TRELS Black Experience (TRELS-BE) or TRELS Duo Project, please pay close attention to these questions on the TRELS application, and be sure to complete these sections correctly.

Award
$1,000 scholarship
Scopes
Academic Year
Deadline
11/19/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. TRELS - Statement of Interest

    Explain how your participation in the TRELS program will help you achieve your educational and career goals.

  2. TRELS - Statement of Obstacles

    Explain what obstacles you have faced that have made it difficult to pursue higher education and to participate in research activities, creative endeavors, or community service. How will the TRELS program help you to overcome these obstacles?

  3. TRELS - Project Proposal

    Please describe the project you would like to conduct in terms that can be understood by a non-expert audience.

    Each project proposal will be different based on your field of study, but some general points that you MIGHT discuss include: topic, central question(s), methods, and/or a project timeline.

    We encourage students to reach out to faculty mentors and/or the Writing Hub (writinghub.ucsd.edu) for support and feedback in writing project proposals.

  4. TRELS - Independence

    TRELS is meant to support your independent project, which should be supervised and mentored by a faculty member, but which should be your own work and responsibility. Please explain how your project reflects your independent work. If you are proposing to work on a larger collaborative project, please explain which piece of this project will be your specific responsibility.

  5. TRELS - Deliverable

    TRELS requires students to submit a summary of their project (a paper, poster presentation, oral presentation, or creative product) by the end of the academic year during which they receive their scholarship. What will the outcome of your project be, and how will you submit it by the deadline? Please keep in mind: the deadline to submit project deliverables for TRELS quarterly awards received during the current 2024-2025 academic year is the end of the Spring 2025 quarter.

  6. TRELS - Previous Award

    Have you accepted a TRELS award in the past?

  7. TRELS - Progress Report

    If you have previously accepted a TRELS award for this project, please provide a brief update on the progress of your project thus far. Updates might include notes of meetings held with your mentor, a project timeline, a research plan, etc.

  8. TRELS - Faculty Mentor

    Please enter the name of your faculty mentor.

  9. TRELS - Faculty Mentor Email Address

    Please enter your mentor's email address.

  10. TRELS - Faculty Support

    Please re-enter the name and email of your faculty mentor by clicking "Add a New Reference" ASAP. This should be the UC San Diego academic faculty member with whom you plan to do your proposed TRELS project. Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research scientists, and/or visiting lecturers are not eligible to serve as formal TRELS mentors, although we do encourage students to develop additional mentoring relationships beyond their primary faculty mentor. Once this information is entered and saved, our office will send an auto-email to your professor requesting their support. Please speak to your supporting professor for authorization before you begin your application. Read the application instructions very carefully and follow-up with your professor to confirm their receipt of the auto-emails. Applications without a statement of support will not be reviewed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the statement of support is submitted by the application deadline.

    Note that there is NO LETTER of recommendation required, just a request for the faculty to agree to statements of support for this project.

  11. TRELS - Project Type

    What kind of project are you proposing?

  12. TRELS - Project Type (Other)

    If 'other', please specify here.

  13. Project Area

    What is the field or interdisciplinary area of your project? (Select all that apply)

    • A. General field(s) of your project
    • B. Sub-field(s) of your project
  14. Are you proposing this as a TRELS-Black Experience (TRELS-BE) project?

    The Undergraduate Colleges at UC San Diego pledge at least one TRELS award per cycle per college for student projects engaged in experiential learning related to the Black Experience (TRELS-BE).

    Although it is not a requirement, we encourage TRELS-BE projects that are consistent with the mission or theme of the student’s Undergraduate College. Applications not selected for a TRELS-BE award will automatically be considered for a general TRELS scholarship.

  15. TRELS - Duo Project

    If you are proposing a project in partnership with another undergraduate student, write their name here and provide a brief rationale for pursuing this project as a partnership. Why is it necessary to pursue this as a duo project, and how will it improve the project outcome(s)? How will each person contribute to ensure this is a unified project?

    Please note that both you and your partner must submit your own TRELS application. If you choose to submit a proposal for a duo project, your applications will likely receive a joint decision of either being offered or not offered TRELS awards. If you both are offered and accept a TRELS award, you will each receive your own $1,000 scholarship.

  16. TRELS Quarterly Program Requirements (in order to be eligible, all of the following must be checked):
  17. Clarification of Responses
  18. How did you hear about this application?
    • How did you hear about this application?
    • If you selected any option(s) that ask(s) you to "Specify Below," please elaborate here. Otherwise, type N/A.
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