¡Valle! Get Your Start in Tech!

Applications for ¡Valle! Get your start in tech! are currently open. This weekend-long workshop will be held December 4-6, 2026 on the UC Merced campus.

Over the course of your ¡Valle! Weekend, you will:

• build communication and networking skills
• learn a new coding skill with drones
• learn about career pathways in tech and science fields
• increase your confidence and sense of belonging in STEM
• prep application materials for your next adventure
• grow your community, network and make connections with students like you
• get insights into the many opportunities open to YOU

You can earn up to $150 for your participation in the full weekend of events, and will also have the chance to win fun prizes. We will provide all your meals, including an off-campus networking dinner. Read about the experiences at Valle 2025 here.

Applications are due November 11, 2026 by 11:59 PM PST. Selection notifications will be sent mid- to late-November.

Undergraduate students at a 2-year or 4-year college or university in the Central Valley are eligible to apply for this workshop. First and second year students are especially encouraged to apply, and students from groups underrepresented in tech fields. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, gender, or other demographics. For those traveling from outside of Merced, a limited number of travel scholarships are available.

Since 2020, ¡Valle! Get your start in tech! has enabled undergraduate students like you to meet each other, build skills and confidence, and access rewarding experiences in research or graduate school. ¡Valle! fosters diversity in STEM by increasing the accessibility of students in STEM to research experiences, graduate school, and careers in technology.