Undergraduate Research Support
CSU Chico is soliciting undergraduate research grant proposals to support activities in coastal, watershed, and/or marine environments for the 2023-24 academic year. Any project that can be linked to the coastal and/or the marine environment will be considered.
Funding for establishing marine research at CSU Chico has been provided by CSU COAST, a CalState-wide program that supports activities in coastal, watershed, and/or marine environments. If you can argue that your project is related to research on coastal and/or marine environments, this program could support you. This program is open to all students. Awards can support a wide range of needs, including student wages, materials and supplies, software expenses, sample analysis, and travel.
Applicants of any race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status are encouraged to apply.
Description:
We are awarding 2 or more undergraduate research awards of up to $3500 to undergraduates conducting research or research-related activities that focus on any of the following research areas/environments:
- Watersheds that ultimately articulate with the coast (locally, this includes activities related to the Sacramento River and associated drainages, such as the Big Chico and Butte Creeks);
- Coastal zones such as bays, estuaries, and beaches;
- Open and coastal ocean;
- Modeling of ocean-related processes;
- Societal impacts related to a changing ocean;
- Ocean and coastal hazards.
Activities may focus on organisms, materials, natural processes, and/or human impacts. Projects may include on-campus, field-based, and/or remote research components.
More information about COAST can be found on the CSU COAST website(opens in new window).
Requirements:
Students must
- Be a CSU Chico undergraduate student in good academic standing,
- Have a clearly defined project aligned with one or more of COAST’s goals, and
- Work with a CSU COAST faculty advisor.
Joining COAST as a faculty member is simple; faculty must subscribe to the COAST listserv & have a profile in the FRESCA database. More information on becoming a member can be found here.(opens in new window)
Application:
Students should complete the following application(opens in new window).
Contact:
For further information regarding the application please contact Dr. Jochen Nuester: jnuester@csuchico.edu
Time line:
- Review Start: November 1st, 2023*
- Notification of Award: November 7th, 2023
- Start of Project: November 7th, 2024
- Project report date: May 1st, 2024 for students not working during summer 2024
- Project report date: August 7th, 2024 for students working during summer 2024
- Project end date: August 31st, 2024
Reporting requirements:
The final report will include a 1-2 page report on the results obtained from the funds requested and should address the impact of the support had on their research project and overall undergraduate education. For students doing research only in the spring semester, the final report is due May 1st, 2024. For students working on projects that extend into the summer, the final report will be due by August 7th, 2024.
Financial aid and Tax liability:
Students should be advised that any funding could lead to a decrease in other forms of financial assistance and are strongly encouraged to consult with their campus financial aid office prior to accepting any support offered through this program. Students are also advised that they may be liable for state and federal income tax on any funding provided directly to them as a stipend or wage.
