2026-2027 UCLA Student Research Programs

UCLA has multiple programs that match local organizations and governments with student researchers. They serve as mutually beneficial opportunities for students to explore the questions that staff are unable to answer and practitioners are able to provide real-world experience for the next generation of climate leaders. In general, these programs select clients 6-12 months before the work is completed.

• UCLA Anderson School of Management:

  • Social Impact Consulting Corps (SICC)

    In this ten-week pro bono consulting engagement, nonprofit organizations and social enterprises can receive strategic and operational guidance from a team of MBA students to address larger scope strategic challenges in marketing, operations, finance, expansion strategy, and disaster relief and recovery.

  • Golub Capital UCLA Anderson Board Fellows Program (GCBF)

    In this twelve-month pro bono consulting engagement, nonprofit organizations can receive dedicated strategic support from 1-2 MBA students who serve as non-voting board members to address an organizational need.

  • Join the information session on September 17, 2026 to explore how your organization can become a client or partner in one of these programs.

• UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs:

  • Masters of Urban Planning: Applied Planning and Research Project
    The MURP Applied Planning and Research Project is a year-long consulting agreement that pairs an individual Master of Urban and Regional Planning student with an external client partner to tackle a planning question. Working with the client and a UCLA faculty advisor, students define a problem, design and conduct data collection, analyze and contextualize the information, and prepare a written and/or oral report for their client organization. Clients receive professional-level analysis and recommendations to drive action. Clients represent a wide range of sectors, including engineering and consulting firms; local, regional and state government agencies; startups and entrepreneurial small businesses;  educational institutions; and nonprofit service organizations.  Learn more about Applied Planning Research Projects here. (Example of individual project on CUGU).

  • Masters of Public Policy: Applied Policy Projects
    The Master of Public Policy Program culminates in a mandatory three-quarter sequence of courses, led by faculty advisers, dedicated to the preparation and presentation of a major Applied Policy Project (APP) on behalf of a client agency, nonprofit organization, or firm working in the public interest. The objective is to challenge students to conduct a detailed investigation of a real policy problem facing the client and to develop evidence-based and actionable recommended solutions. Students are encouraged to grapple with the challenges of policy implementation in the midst of competing and often conflicting social, political, economic, and technical interests. Projects are completed in teams of 4 to 5 students. Learn more about the Applied Policy Project here.

  • Masters of Social Welfare: Research Capstone Projects
    The MSW Research Project involves partnering with community-based agencies so students’ projects can directly inform and enhance practice in the field. These projects are designed with community partners to best meet agencies’ research and evaluation needs. Students analyze agencies’ existing data or collect and analyze new data that can benefit the agency, school, organization, or community. Student projects begin in October and are completed in May, when students share a report of findings with their community partners. The agency’s role is to provide the initial topic or idea, as desired, share necessary background for the project, and coordinate necessary logistics of accessing the data or conducting data collection. Learn more about the Social Welfare Capstone Projects here.

  • Please submit your 2026-27 project idea by Friday, August 14th, 2026 for distribution to students.