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Research grants and awards can help you pursue research projects, present your work at conferences, and explore future career paths. Many of these grants and awards are highly competitive, but they are also recognized as prestigious achievements that demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and leadership. Receiving one of these awards can strengthen applications for graduate programs, fellowships, internships, and other professional opportunities.

This page lists funding opportunities and research-related awards at UCSB and beyond. Some opportunities recognize outstanding achievements, while others provide financial support for research expenses, conference travel, and professional development. Eligibility requirements, application timelines, and funding amounts vary widely, so students are encouraged to explore opportunities early and plan accordingly.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Information about fuding opportunities on this page is current as of Aug 2026 and is subject to change. Please consult individual program websites for the most up-to-date information. Lists on this page are not exhaustive. Opportunities within each section are listed alphabetically; their inclusion or order does not indicate endorsement or recommendations.


UCSB Opportunities

UCSB offers a variety of grants and awards that support undergraduate research and scholarly activities. Some opportunities are open to students from all disciplines, while others are intended for specific fields of study.

Opportunity Description
Career Path Grants, CSEP Support students attending or presenting at conferences, visiting graduate school programs, and other career & professional events. Applications open in the Fall and are reviewed monthly until funding is exhausted.
Chancellor’s Award in Undergraduate Research Recognizes four distinguished undergraduate researchers each year, one from each broad disciplinary division: science, social sciences, engineering, and humanities & fine arts.
Gene & Susan Lucas Undergraduate Research Fund Supports research for first-generation UCSB students in STEM fields. Funds may be used for stipend, research materials, travel, conferences, or field experience.
Hanson Family Conference Travel Grant Awarded to one student each quarter, providing the awardee with up to $1000 in research conference expenses.
Kennedy/Graves Award Supports students in any academic discipline conducting research related to Black Studies.
Library Award for Undergraduate Research (LAUR) Recognizes students from any discipline who have produced scholarly or creative work that makes expert and sophisticated use of UCSB Library resources. The award is presented annually, and the application window is generally during the first half of the Spring quarter.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Grant Provides up to $750 to help students from any major to pursue their original research or creative activities. Call for applications occurs annually during the Fall quarter.



National & Federal Opportunities

Many federal agencies and national organizations offer scholarships, grants, and awards to support undergraduate researchers. These opportunities may provide funding for research and educational experiences, recognize academic excellence, or help you prepare for graduate study and research careers.

Opportunity Description
Barry Goldwater Scholarship The Barry Goldwater Scholarship supports sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. It provides financial support for undergraduate study while recognizing students with strong potential to be the next generation of research leaders.
Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Offers numerous awards to recognize and support undergraduate research. The awards cover a wide range of fields of study, including arts and humanities, STEM, and social sciences.
NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) A financial needs-based scholarship for students committed to biomedical, behavioral, and social science research. The program provides support for tuition, educational, and reasonable living expenses. For each year of scholarship support, scholars commit to a 10-week summer internship at NIH and 1 year of full-time work at NIH post-graduation.
DOD SMART Scholarship The Department of Defense (DOD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-service program provides funding for students pursuing degrees in eligible STEM disciplines. In exchange for educational funding, SMART Scholars commit to working as civilian employees at a sponsoring DOD facility after completing their degree.


Thinking of applying for a national scholarship? Some awards require institutional nomination or have campus-specific application procedures. Visit this College of Letters & Science Advising page for additional opportunities, eligibility information, and campus nomination procedures.



Professional & Disciplinary Organizations

Professional societies or organizations bring together researchers within a particular discipline, area of interest, or shared community or identity. Many of these organizations offer grants, scholarships, and travel awards to help support undergraduate students conducting research, presenting at conferences, or participatin in professional development activities. Exploring organizations that are relevant to you can uncover funding opportunities that may not be widely advertised elsewhere.

Opportunity Description
American Society of Plant Biologists Travel Awards The American Society of Plant Biologists offers travel awards to help students and other early-career researchers attend its annual Plant Biology meeting. It also has a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Psi Chi Undergraduate Research Grants Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, offers grants to undergraduate members conducting research in psychology and related fields. Awards can be used to cover the direct costs of a research project. Psi Chi also offers separate travel grants and scholarships.
Sigma Xi Grants In Aid of Research (GIAR) Sigma Xi provides grants to students across different areas of science and engineering to support research expenses. Both members and non-members are eligible to apply.
Society for American Archaeology Student Paper Award The Society for American Archaeology recognizes an outstanding student conference paper based on original research presented at its annual meeting.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarship The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers scholarships to students pursuing degrees in engineering and technology.


These are just a few examples. Explore professional and disciplinary organizations in your field, and ask your mentors about grants, scholarships, travel funding, and awards offered by organizations they belong to.



Funding Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Thinking about graduate school? Some competitive fellowships and scholarships support students as they transition from undergraduate to graduate study. While many are intended for seniors or recent graduates preparing to apply to graduate school, others can be pursued during graduate training. Learning about these opportunities early can help you understand what is available and prepare for future applications.

Opportunity Description
The Churchill Scholarship The Churchill Scholarship provides full funding for STEM students to pursue a one-year Master’s degree at Churchill College, University of Cambridge. Scholars are selected on the basis of exceptional academic and research achievement.
The Fulbright US Student Program The Fulbright Study/Research Awards support graduating seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students pursuing independent research or graduate study abroad. Applicants develop their own projects and typically work with an affiliation in the host country.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) The NSF GRFP provides 3 years of support for graduate students in science and engineering to pursue their own research ideas. It is the oldest continuous graduate fellowship program of its kind. Graduating seniors, recent graduates, and first-year graduate students are eligible.


See this College of Letters & Science Advising page for additional opportunities and campus nomination information for some programs.