UCI Giving Day 2024

ACCESS TO CAREERS IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES (ACES) & BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INNOVATION GATEWAY FOR HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES (BRIGHT)
 
As a premier research and teaching institution, UC Irvine is dedicated to serving a diverse population at the highest levels. This requires attracting and graduating scholars who reflect the communities of the world.
 
Like many universities nationally, UC Irvine is faced with the challenge of attracting large numbers of minority students to pursue doctoral degrees. African American and Black students are extremely under-represented in graduate and professional programs.
 
The Access to Careers in Engineering and Sciences (ACES) and Biomedical Research Innovation Gateway for Health Technologies (BRIGHT) initiatives seek to address this challenge. The approach goes beyond traditional recruiting efforts to reach those who otherwise might not have considered graduate school.
 
When you give to UC Irvine Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic, you support educational outreach programs – such as ACES and BRIGHT.
 
This summer, seven talented undergraduate students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will be selected to travel across the country to attend ACES and BRIGHT, eight-week summer training programs at Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic and the UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering. The programs introduce high-achieving, under-represented students to the breadth of UCI graduate programs in the fields of biomedical engineering, biophotonics, chemistry, chemical engineering and other related science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. 

 
 HBCU students:

• Work alongside faculty mentors who are leaders in their field
• Conduct leading-edge research in Institute facilities and labs
• Learn about careers in academia and industry
• Attend workshops on taking the GRE, writing a personal statement and preparing for graduate school
• Make connections valuable to gaining admission to graduate school

Through the generosity of our UCI Giving Day 2023 donors, we raised over $13,000 from 34 gifts in support of our ACES and BRIGHT students/participants. With this funding, we are able to provide a life-changing experience, covering all the program expenses for one 2024 participant! Our goal is to beat last year’s record, as your gift fosters a more inclusive environment in higher education, while making a significant impact on the lives of students nationwide.
 
 A gift of:

• $100 supports one student’s culminating research presentation
• $500 supports one student’s lab summer research supplies
• $1,000 supports one student’s travel expenses
• $1,500 supports one student’s summer campus dining hall meals
• $5,000 supports one student’s eight-week student stipend
• $15,000 supports one participant, covering all program expenses

Click here to learn more about the ACES and BRIGHT programs.