Chancellor’s Opportunity for Research Experience (CORE) is a campus initiative to support and retain undergraduates as they earn degrees in the biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. By integrating research, undergraduate education, and professional development, CORE creates a cohesive set of experiences that fully prepares undergraduates for graduate education and influences career choices. CORE programs motivate participants through cooperative learning workshops, internships, faculty-mentored research.

  • $3000 stipend during the summer when participating in summer research at UC Santa Cruz
  • If accepted to present attend a national/scientific conference
  • Tutoring services
  • Professional development workshops
  • Holistic mentoring from STEM Diversity staff
Eligibility
  • Majoring in STEM
  • Applicants must be currently enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at UCSC or accepted transfer students in the upcoming Fall.
  • Must be interested in pursuing a graduate degree after the bachelor’s degree
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident eligible for work in the U.S

CORE is open to all students consistent with state and federal law, the UC Nondiscrimination Statement and the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters. 

Deadlines
The annual application deadline to apply for the CORE program is the second Friday of every February.
Selection criteria
Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of staff, faculty, and students. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview with staff and current scholars. Candidates will be evaluated based on a holistic review process of their applications, education/ career goals, and aspirations.

How to apply

You can apply to UC LEADS and CORE simultaneously with one application. Only COMPLETED applications will be reviewed.

The application for the STEM Diversity Programs will be available the first week of December of every year.

Click here to access the application

The application components include:

Online application & supplement documents (to be uploaded with the online application) – Due Friday, February 13th, 2026 at 11:59 Pm

  • Completed online Application (this includes essay questions, see questions below)
  • Resume or CV (Career Center Resume Guide)
  • Copy of Your Unofficial Transcripts (UCSC and/or community college, just print them from your student portal)
  • Copy of Your Unofficial Financial Aid Support (if you do not get financial aid, you ARE still eligible for the programs, please state in the online application.

Two letters of recommendation – Due Friday, February 27th at 11:59 pm: from a faculty or staff member (These should be emailed directly from the recommender to stemdiv@ucsc.edu).

Essay Questions: Please limit your responses to 200 words for each question(see questions below)
                                                                                                                                                                                                             ESSAY QUESTION #1:  Please describe your personal background and what experience(s) led you to where you are today in your education? Do not hesitate to express relevant extracurricular activities, any interesting or unusual circumstances or obstacles in your personal or academic background.                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                           ESSAY QUESTION #2:  Please describe any UCSC relevant work experience in the sciences, research, or as a volunteer. Also, what you have learned from these experiences, and how these experiences make you a good candidate for the program? 
                                                                                                                                                                                                          ESSAY QUESTION #3:  After you obtain your bachelor’s degree, what are your long-term academic/career aspirations? If you are unclear about a specific career/academic path, please share a number of possibilities you foresee in your future. How do you plan to reach these goals?                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

ESSAY QUESTION #4:  How are the STEM Diversity Research Programs going to support your academic/career goals? What do you hope to gain from this experience?

For questions and additional information about the application process, please contact our office at 831-459-4770 or send an email to stemdiv@ucsc.edu.