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Funding Opportunities

Below are some funding opportunities for undergraduate students. A more comprehensive list can be found using the Student Awards and Research Opportunities searchable database. 

Check out these great resources on how to prepare a winning application and more. We encourage you to apply! 

  • Financial Aid and Scholarships

    The UC Santa Cruz Financial Aid and Scholarship Office strives to deliver high quality service to students and their families. They are committed to minimizing financial barriers to support students in achieving their educational goals.

  • Pathways to Science

    Education and career training opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) searchable database of scholarships.

  • Physical and Biological Sciences Division

    There are many options to help fund your undergraduate research, including external funding,  UC funding, and departmental and college grants.

    • FALL

  • Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship

    The 2024 application period will open on September 1, 2023. For sophomores and juniors in fields including, but not limited to: oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, physical and social sciences including geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics, or teacher education that support NOAA's programs and mission. Program provides up to $9,500 per year for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($700/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, up to $9,500 for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. 

  • UC Santa Cruz Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program

    Applications for the next cohort will be available in October 2024. The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at UCSC exposes early-career college students to the field of environmental conservation through field research, leadership and professional training.

  • Kathryn D. Sullivan Award in Earth & Marine Sciences

    Applications are due Sunday December 4th, 2022. The Kathryn D. Sullivan Scholarship Award in Earth & Marine Sciences is designed to encourage undergraduate student research for those pursuing degrees in disciplines related to earth and marine sciences from a variety of perspectives. This program supports a summer research project by an undergraduate mentored by a graduate student conducting a summer research project in earth and planetary sciences, microbiology and environmental toxicology, ecology and evolutionary biology, chemistry, or related disciplines.

    • WINTER

  • CAMINO - Center to Advance Mentored, Inquiry-Based Opportunites in Ecology and Evolution

    Applications are due Tuesday February 14th, 2023 11:59 PM PST. The CAMINO provides inclusive research opportunities, funding and professional community to students exploring careers in field science and environmental conservation.

  • Gordon Smith Undergraduate Fellowship in Marine Science

    Applications are due Friday March 3rd, 2023 11:59 PM PST. The purpose of the Gordon Smith Undergraduate Fellowship in Marine Science is to celebrate and realize Gordon Smith and his family’s passion for undergraduate studies in marine science by encouraging and supporting undergraduate scholarship in marine science. This fellowship is awarded annually to undergraduate students studying marine science. Recipients must be in good academic standing in their department. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need.

  • Michael Tudor Memorial Award

    Applications are due Friday March 3rd, 2023 11:59 PM PST. The purpose of the Michael Tudor Memorial Award is to celebrate and realize Michael Tudor's passion for the natural world by encouraging and supporting undergraduate scholarship in ecology and evolutionary biology. This award is granted annually to one student each academic year in the summer. 

  • Mark T. Macmillan Memorial Scholarship

    Applications are due Friday March 3rd, 2023 11:59 PM PST. The purpose of the Mark T. MacMillan Memorial Scholarship is to promote and recognize outstanding undergraduate research in any area of marine biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. It is an annual prize to outstanding undergraduate students of marine biology in recognition of their exceptional research participation, senior thesis, or equivalent achievement. 

  • Norris Center Student Award

    Applications are due Friday February 10th, 2023 5:00 PM PST. Each academic quarter, the Norris Center funds a select number of undergraduate student projects. Any undergraduate conducting a project relating to natural history can apply for an award of up to $1,000. 

  • William Beye Heald Scholarship

    Applications are due March 3rd, 2023 11:59 PM PST. This award provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in marine sciences with demonstrated academic ability and financial need. The recipient may use the award for any purpose (e.g., field supplies or lab materials for research, field quarter course fees or travel, conference travel, housing).

  • Keeley Coastal Scholars Award

     Applications are due Friday March 10th, 2023 11:59 PM PST. The Keeley Coastal Scholars Award provides underrepresented undergraduate students at UC Santa Cruz the financial support they need to engage in summer research and policy work related to coastal sustainability. Students can be doing work in any area of terrestrial, aquatic, or marine systems along the coast.

    This award is open to students in both the Social Sciences and Physical & Biological Sciences. Scholarships range from $1000 to $4000 per student with an associated $1000 in support of the sponsoring faculty member. These funds can be used by students for any expenses incurred during the summer months.

    Undergraduate majors are invited to apply by submitting an online application, a project budget, and an unofficial copy of their transcripts.

    • SPRING

  • Deans', Chancellor's, and Steck Awards

    Applications are due Sunday April 2nd, 2023. Deans' Awards are granted to 50 undergraduate projects, 10 from each of the academic divisions. Submissions are an outstanding senior thesis or project completed during the current academic year. Each winning project will receive a $100 cash award, and is considered for a Chancellor’s Award. Chancellor's Award winning projects receive a $500 cash award, and are considered for the Steck Award. 

  • Gunderson Family Student Research in Coastal Sustainability Award

    Applications are due Sunday April 10th, 2023. The Gunderson Family Student Research in Coastal Sustainability Fund supports undergraduate students engaging in coastal sustainability research during summer at UC Santa Cruz. To apply you must have a UC Santa Cruz faculty sponsor, and that sponsor must complete an online recommendation for your project.

  • Undergraduate Research in Science & Technology Award

    Applications are due Sunday April 10th, 2023 11:59 PM PST. The Undergraduate Research in Science & Technology Endowment, funded by generous donors and alumni, supports excellence in undergraduate research in fields related to science and technology for students from any major at UC Santa Cruz. To apply you must have a UC Santa Cruz faculty sponsor, and that sponsor must complete an online recommendation for your project.

  • Future Leaders in Coastal Science Award

    Currently, not accepting applications. The Future Leaders in Coastal Science Award is provided through generous donor support through the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences. This program supports graduate and undergraduate student research on the coastal zone (both land and sea), including studies of natural and human-impacted systems. Supervised by a faculty member or researcher, each team will be led by a graduate student who will mentor two undergraduate students working on the project.

  • Koret Scholars Program

    Currently, not accepting applications.The Koret Scholars Program provides funding for a variety of undergraduate research projects and experiences. The program supports scholarships for undergraduate research projects with faculty and graduate student mentors.