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With generous support from Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences at UC Santa Cruz is pleased to accept applications for the Kathryn D. Sullivan Research Impact Award in Earth and Marine Sciences. This program supports research projects in earth and planetary sciences, ocean sciences, microbiology and environmental toxicology, ecology and evolutionary biology, chemistry, or related disciplines as they pertain to Earth and marine sciences. Research teams must comprise one undergraduate and one graduate student mentor, and the project must address important problems in the chosen discipline. The project must be well planned and integrated across the team members, and the proposal must include a clear explanation of what each member brings to the project.

Amount & use
Number of grants to be awarded: 3 team awards will be made this year
Award amount: up to $17,000 per team

  • The undergraduate in each team will receive a $4,000 stipend.
  • The graduate student in each team will receive a 50% summer GSR.
  • The team may request up to $1,500 in additional funds to cover costs associated with conducting research or presenting research results, such as lab fees, supplies, equipment expenses, travel associated with field work, and costs associated with presenting research at conferences; please create this budget in consultation with your faculty sponsor.

How the funds may be used: Teams may use their award for any purpose associated with conducting or presenting the results of their research. Funds must be used by the end of the quarter of summer 2023 (it is possible to request an extension on funds intended for presenting at a conference).

Eligibility
UC Santa Cruz undergraduate and graduate students from any department are eligible to apply, with the exception of students who will graduate before the summer quarter 2023.
Deadlines

Deadline: Sunday, April 9, 2023
Applications and faculty endorsement must be completed by the deadline.
Awards Announced: Monday, April 24, 2023

Selection criteria
Selection criteria: The importance of the problem being addressed and the clarity of the proposal will be the primary criteria for selection. The qualifications of the team members (e.g., prior experience, relevant coursework), the mentoring plan provided by the supervisor and graduate student, and any additional support to amplify the impact of the research will also be considered.

Selection process: The Physical and Biological Sciences Undergraduate Award Committee, composed of faculty in the Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, will review the application materials, rank each proposal, and select the award recipient
Sciences.

Past recipients

2019–2020

Dr. Eric Palkovacs, Faculty Adviser
Katie Kobayashi (Graduate, Earth & Planetary Sciences)
Raymond Hunter (Undergraduate, Environmental Studies)

2018–2019

Dr. Margaret Zimmer, Faculty Adviser
Amanda Donaldson (Graduate, Earth & Planetary Sciences)
Christopher Causebrook (Undergraduate, Earth & Planetary Sciences)

2017–2018

Dr. Gary Griggs, Faculty Adviser
Dr. Patrick Limber, USGS Research Adviser
Schuyler Smith (Graduate, Earth & Planetary Sciences)
Kyle Bergerson (Undergraduate, Earth & Planetary Sciences)

How to apply
Completed applications including a faculty endorsement should be completed via the application form by the posted deadline. If you have questions, please contact Science Awards.

Application instructions & budget forms

Faculty Endorsement Form

SUPPORT EARTH & MARINE SCIENCE STUDENTS
Your gift supports an academic merit based award for an upper division student majoring in Earth and Marine Sciences. This award helps power student research projects and offset increasing educational and living costs. Make your impact today.

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