Funding Opportunities
UCSB offer a number of funding opportunities for undergraduates that provide financial support for research activities, internships, and advocacy work both on and off campus.
A.S. provides a list of funding opportunities available to UCSB students through their programs. Each quarter, every UCSB undergraduate pays a fee of $188.04 to Associated Students. This fee supports a wide variety of operations of Associated Students that benefit the students of UCSB, the campus and the surrounding community.
The Benston Scholarship in Marine Aquatic Science is for first, second, and third year undergraduate Biology/Aquatic Biology majors or CCS Marine Science majors, who are interested in research opportunities. The award is $5,000 in the first year, with the possibility of renewed annual support. This award is considered a stipend to use for tuition, living expenses, and/or to support potential research opportunities.
The Coastal Fund (CF) was created and is funded by the students at the University of California, Santa Barbara in order to preserve and enhance the ecological integrity of the coastal habitats at the University. Given this charge, the CF seeks to provide the financial impetus for research, restoration, preservation, access and educational projects that are in agreement with the CF’s Mission Statement.
The Gene and Susan Lucas Undergraduate Research Fund was created to help first-generation undergraduate students experience research alongside UCSB faculty. The program supports research for first-generation undergraduate UCSB students in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). Funds may be used for stipend, required research materials, travel, conferences, or field experience.
The URCA grant is an opportunity for undergraduates to pursue their independent research projects with funding up to $750. By applying for the URCA Grant, students become an integral part of the research community at UCSB and will develop important skills like taking a research project from conception to completion, learning how a typical grant application process works, and getting hands-on experience with research.
The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) provides funding for projects which “green” our campus and reduce the University’s impact on the environment. TGIF allocates funds to projects that increase the amount of renewable energy used on campus, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the amount of waste created (GHGs) by our University. Portions of the fund will support education initiatives, student aid (via return to aid), and internships. TGIF is administered through a student majority governance board.