UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Programs

The UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Programs are distinct and separate from the hospital-based volunteer programs.  

These UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Programs provides the on-boarding and clearances for invited students and other eligible individuals to participate in laboratory-based assignments, clinical research/quality improvement projects, administrative projects, and/or educational endeavored volunteer programs. Additionally, these programs process clearances for individuals who have been invited into one of our Approved Formalized Shadowing Programs. Invitation and eligibility into the program is at the discretion of these departments and the UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Office. Priority will be given to UCLA undergraduates.

Research volunteer opportunities are geared towards undergraduate students as a learning opportunity, and for an introductory research experience, as well as to supplement their pre-health curriculum on the Health Sciences campus under the close supervision of our faculty and staff.

Please note, we do not recruit for the health sciences volunteer programs, and students must be invited by a faculty member or an approved staff sponsor to participate.

Program Selection

Please select (click) which program you will be part of for more information about the clearance process:

UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Programs for Minors (ages 16-17 only)

This program is designed to process clearances for:

• Prospective Volunteers/UCLA SRP Students invited by UCLA Health/Health Sciences faculty/staff to assist with Administrative Projects and/or Basic Science Research Projects.

Clinical UCLA Health Sciences (CUHS) Volunteer Program (ages 18 and older only)

This program is designed to process clearances for:

• Prospective Volunteers/UCLA SRP Students invited by UCLA Health/Health Sciences faculty/staff to assist with Clinical Research which includes IRB-Approved, IRB-Exempted studies, and Quality Improvement Projects.
• Prospective Volunteers invited by UCLA Health Sciences faculty/staff to assist with Administrative Projects which includes clerical tasks, program support, and outreach.
• Prospective Volunteers/UCLA SRP Students invited by UCLA School of Dentistry Faculty/Staff.
• Prospective Volunteers/UCLA SRP Students accepted into an Approved Formalized Shadowing Program.
• NOTE: The following Department Volunteer Applicants must be processed through this program even if your assignment is Non-Clinical:
  • Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, and Radiology. 

Non-Clinical UCLA Health Sciences (NCUHS) Volunteer Program (age 18 and older only)

This program is designed to process clearances for:

• Prospective Volunteers/UCLA SRP Students invited by UCLA Health/Health Sciences faculty/staff to assist with Non-Clinical Research which includes laboratory experiments, literature review studies, etc.
• Prospective Volunteers invited by UCLA Health Sciences faculty/staff to assist with Non-Clinical Administrative Projects which includes clerical tasks, program support, and outreach. 
• NOTE: Please see "Clinical UCLA Health Sciences (CUHS) Volunteer Program" for School of Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, and Radiology invited volunteers/UCLA SRP students.

For any additional questions NOT listed in our FAQs, please contact the UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Office.

NOTE: The UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Programs do not provide, offer, or approve shadowing/observation opportunities. 

Due to high volumes of questions, if it is a shadowing inquiry, please read the following shadowing policy guidelines before contacting the program coordinators.