Program dates
UC Davis follows a quarter calendar. As a result, we cannot host summer researchers until approximately June 20th. We also recognize that most colleges and universities in the US follow a semester calendar, with the academic year beginning approximately August 15th. Therefore, to maximize the time available for research, we divide our program into academic year and summer components.
Academic year component
We expect that scholars admitted to the EEWL REU will begin to interact with their mentors part-time via monthly videoconferences beginning in March. They will use these meetings to become acquainted with each other, the research project, and scientific literature surrounding the project. These informal interactions will help to decrease start-up time in the summer.
New in 2026
EEWL scholars will have the option to participate in an entry-level coding bootcamp designed for undergraduate researchers in ecological and evolutionary genomics.
Summer component
Exact program start and end dates will vary slightly each year, but you can expect that the EEWL REU will run full time in Davis from about mid June to mid August.
Housing and meals
Scholars in the EEWL REU will stay in residence halls at UC Davis for most of the summer program. The scholars' building will be dedicated to summer undergraduate researchers and conference attendees, with EEWL scholars housed with students from other biology REUs.
Accommodations include a meal plan, linens and laundry facilities, and a small refrigerator and microwave combination in each room. Scholars also can purchase a pass for access to UC Davis' recreation facilities.
We also provide a supplementary meal card that allows swipes at other campus eateries, including the ASUCD CoffeeHouse, food trucks, and other venues, and a small stipend for meals eaten off campus.
Transportation
We will provide round trip transportation to Davis, with details to be arranged between admitted scholars and EEWL staff.
For local transportation: we will provide all EEWL REU scholars with a bike, bike light, U-lock, and instruction in safe cycling and getting around Davis (yes, every year, our cohorts include cycling newbies. It will be fine)
We also strongly urge EEWL scholars to obtain and wear a bicycle helmet through UC Davis' Helmet Hair Don't Care program, free to anyone who completes an educational survey.
Stipend
We view EEWL as an immersive program that will preclude other summer employment or coursework during the program. All scholars will receive a stipend of $5,150 for the eight-week program.
Campus treasures
While perhaps not unique as individual items, this amalgamated collection certainly is...unusual.
We have bikes (duh).
The university hangs hammocks on the Quad.
Many colleges have campus cats. But only the UC Davis Physics Department has Cheeto, with devoted followers who maintain his presence on social media with daily updates.
Pete Scully, the manager of the Department of Statistics is recognizable and well known hereabouts for his prowess as an urban sketcher (although he's a whizbang administrator too). He spends his lunch hour out on campus and downtown, drawing scenes from Davis, including another campus treasure, the UC Davis Sheepmowers.