Undergraduate Research in Science & Technology Awards (URST)

Award amount: $4,000–5,500 per proposal; multiple awards given

How the funds may be used: Each awardee will receive a $4,000 stipend and 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 fieldwork, and costs associated with presenting research at conferences; please create this budget in consultation with your faculty sponsor. These additional funds must be used by the end of the quarter in which the project is completed.

Awards will be announced per the schedule below, with actual funding provided in the quarter when you begin the project, as confirmed by your faculty advisor.

Any undergraduate registered and enrolled at UC Santa Cruz who is in good academic standing and will not graduate before the project is completed. If you have questions, please contact the dean’s office at awards.science@ucsc.edu.

All award recipients will be required to provide a handwritten or typed thank-you note and complete a questionnaire for donor stewardship purposes and may be asked to participate in other recognition events. If for any reason you would are able to participate in the recognition activities outlined above, we will work with you on an alternative.

For projects starting in summer or fall of 2023.

• All materials are due by midnight on Sunday, April 30, 2023
• Awards will be announced on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Selection criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on the quality and strength of the written research proposal, the feasibility of the project, the budget request, and the quality of the faculty recommendation.

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 recipients.

How to apply

Completed applications and faculty reference form should both be submitted by the posted deadline. If you have questions, please contact the dean’s office at Science Awards.

The online application form asks for a description of your project in 500 words or less and a budget for your project using the template provided below. The application requires a recommendation from your faculty sponsor, which you should obtain by sending them the faculty recommendation form link. Before you submit your application online, please make sure you have completed your project proposal and budget and have secured your faculty sponsorship.

1. Application form – Student completes (Some funds are reserved for students who have been in the foster care system or have been wards of the court; use this application form.)
2. Budget template – Save your own copy, complete it, and then upload it within the application.
3. Faculty recommendation form – Forward to your faculty sponsor to complete

Application form

Facutly Endorsement