PG&E Engineers

The PG&E Engineering Summer Scholars Program at UC Merced is a unique program designed to provide undergraduate students majoring in engineering disciplines with hands-on research experience to broaden their education and build their credentials for professional careers or graduate school following graduation. Funded by a gift from Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the program allows talented engineering undergraduates to participate in faculty-mentored independent research, GRE training, career and graduate preparation seminars, leadership development, advising and other scholarly activities and resources.

How to Apply

The online application system will be open from March 15 through March 31, 2013. All engineering students are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to students who are junior standing or seniors with at least one semester left after Summer 2013. Students coming from historically disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Please review all eligibility requirements below before applying.

The complete PG&E Engineering Summer Scholars Program application consists of four parts:

1. A comprehensive online application (link below)
2. Two admission essays (included in the online application)
3. One copy of applicant's unofficial academic transcript (document will be uploaded to online application)
4. One letter of recommendation from a faculty member (applicant will input the name and email address of the recommender, and the online system will email recommender directly with link to upload letter of recommendation electronically)

Application for the 2013 summer program is currently closed

Download the 2013 Program Flyer   

Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicants must be enrolled on a full-time basis in an undergraduate engineering degree program at the University of California, Merced.
2. Applicants must have completed at least 60 academic units. (For the purpose of determining the number of units you have completed, you may include the number of units you are currently enrolled in this semester).
3. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
4. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
5. For full consideration, applicants must submit the completed application packet with all the necessary supporting documents by March 31, 2013.

Please Note: Selection will be made on a competitive basis from those applicants who best meet the purposes of the program and will then be selected on the basis of having the greatest potential for pursuing doctoral studies and for whom the program will have the greatest impact.

Program Awards and Benefits

As a PG&E Engineering Summer Scholar you will...

• be matched with a faculty mentor whose research interests are related to your own academic interests and to post graduate careers in areas related to energy, environment, and sustainability.
• participate in a nine-week summer research project under the direction of your faculty mentor from approximately June 10 through August 9, 2013 and receive up to a $3,500 competitive stipend.
• attend seminars designed to introduce participants to professional practice, the nature of graduate education, and to successful role models in industry and academia.
• attend research and teaching institutes designed to increase participants' knowledge of the culture of engineering industry and academia.
• opportunity to participate in GRE training.
• receive assistance in defining, setting, and realizing your educational and career goals, as well as guidance in applying to engineering graduate programs of your choice.
• benefit from a supportive network of undergraduate research scholars.
• have the opportunity to attend a professional meeting or conference with your faculty mentor or to visit selected institutions for research purposes with your faculty mentor.
• benefit from ongoing support from faculty mentors and program staff dedicated to ensuring student achievement and advancement.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about our PG&E Engineering Summer Scholars Program, please don't hesitate to contact us: