Students working on their lab report
The Dean’s Fund for Diversity in Science supports undergraduate research opportunities. Funds provide support for students to work alongside faculty and participate in hands-on research through the Summer Research Institute (SRI) or Summer Research Experience (SRE). Students receive a summer stipend, attend professional development workshops, present their research at a poster session, and build a community with peers and mentors.

Program Director

Amount & use
  • Stipend amount: $3,000-$3,500
  • Guaranteed placement in a UCSC Research Lab
  • Program support for graduate school applications
  • Depending on funding availability, an opportunity to present research at a scientific conference
Eligibility
  • Applicants must be currently enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at UCSC or accepted transfer students in the upcoming Fall. 
  • Must be a STEM major
  • Must be interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree after the Bachelor’s degree
Deadlines
The annual application deadline to apply for the 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 the MARC, UC LEADS, and CAMP Programs simultaneously with one application. Only COMPLETED applications will be reviewed.

The application for the STEM Diversity Research Programs will be available in 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 7th 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 21st 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.