Volunteer Services

UHS Volunteer Eligibility

About Volunteer Eligibility

This section defines who may and may not participate as a Research Volunteer within UCLA Health Sciences campus. Eligibility is based on an individual’s status, the nature of the proposed activities, and institutional and regulatory considerations.

The criteria below outline eligible and ineligible participant categories, including limited exceptions that require additional review or pre-clearance. All research volunteer roles must be educational in nature, clearly distinct from paid employment or academic degree requirements, and appropriately supervised.

Note: Non-research volunteers on the UCLA Health Sciences campus are considered on a case-by-case basis and may not participate in studies or work with data. Activities are limited to outreach and altruistic, service-oriented functions.

Who Can Be a Research Volunteer?

  • Students & Learners:
    • Students who are not paid and not earning academic credit
    • UCLA undergraduates earning UCLA research credit
      • For-credit duties must match approved Roles & Responsibilities
    • Post-baccalaureate learners (recent grads or similar learners gaining experience)
  • Community Members:
    • Individuals from outside UCLA with relevant interest or experience
  • Current or Former UCLA Employees (limited, see Special Case) 

  • Graduate Students (Limited, see Special Case)

     

Who Is Not Eligible?

  • Medical students
  • Post‑doctoral scholars
  • Individuals with professional degrees (MD, JD, PhD, PharmD, etc.)
  • Anyone paid by another program or institution for the same research
  • UCLA employees wanting to do similar work or work under the same supervisor
  • Foreign nationals on a visa (Limited, see Special Cases)

Volunteer Assignment Limits

Current UCLA Health Volunteers

Volunteers may participate in no more than two (2) hospital volunteer assignments and no more than two (2) research volunteer assignments at any given time.

Volunteers must complete the minimum required service hours in their current assignment before requesting to add or transfer to another program. Approval may be required even after minimum hours are met.

  • UCLA Health Sciences (Research) Programs/Assignments: Minimum commitment of 50 hours
  • Hospital and other volunteer programs: Please consult your Volunteer Coordinator for minimum hour requirements.

To add a new assignment, volunteers must apply to the opportunity online and wait for approval. Once approved, all required clearance and onboarding requirements must be completed before being formally assigned and beginning activities.

Additional eligibility requirements or limitations may apply based on program-specific criteria and information provided.

Special Cases

Certain situations require additional review, documentation, or may not be permitted under policy. Below is guidance for common special cases.

Applicants must first submit their initial application (Step 1) through the inviting supervisor's Opportunity link before moving forward with any exceptions or additional requirements.

Current or Former UCLA Health Employees

  • May volunteer only if the role is clearly different from your paid job. All of the following are required:
    • A different supervisor or Faculty/PI than your paid role
    • Pre‑approval from the DGSOM Dean’s Office (Vice Dean for Research or designee)
    • No Substitution of Paid Work Attestation form is Required
    • Important: Individuals may not simultaneously serve as both a UCLA Health employee and a research volunteer. Paid employment must fully end before volunteer service begins.
    • Note, if you’re a former employee who is now a UCLA undergraduate seeking research credit in the same lab, you still need Dean’s Office approval.

Graduate Students

  • May serve as research volunteers only if the volunteer activities are clearly outside their degree domain. All of the following are required:
    • The work is not related to their degree or thesis
    • The goal is educational exposure in a different field
    • Domain Distinctness Attestation Form is Required (Department CAO approval required)
    • The Faculty Sponsor cannot be your thesis/dissertation advisor

Individuals Receiving Outside Financial Support

  • Volunteers may not receive compensation for their research activities. However, reimbursement for reasonable expenses (e.g., housing, travel, per diem) may be permitted if:
    • The support covers actual expenses only.
    • It is not payment for services rendered.
    • An Outside Support Attestation is completed (Department CAO approval required)
  • Support described as an “honorarium” or “stipend” may be treated as compensation unless formally certified as expense-only support.
  • Individuals receiving compensation from outside programs or sponsors for research activities are not eligible to serve as research volunteers

Foreign Nationals or Visa Holders

  • Foreign nationals are generally not eligible to serve as research volunteers. Exceptions may apply only if:
    • UCLA Student F-1 Visa status is verified and validated by UCLA Dashew Center through a Verification Letter
    • Part of a formal unpaid UCLA research program (like SRP 99/199, no credit)
    • No access to sensitive personal data
    • Full compliance with U.S. federal laws and regulations

Near Relatives & Supervision

  • Volunteers may not be directly supervised by a near relative. 
  • A near relative includes: Child (including child of domestic partner), Parent, Spouse, Domestic partner, Sibling
  • A volunteer may participate in a department where a family member works, but:
    • Day-to-day supervision must be assigned to someone without a familial relationship.
    • Near Relative Supervision Certification Form is required (Department CAO approval required)