The mission of the SACNAS Scholars Program is to train the next generation of diverse STEM leaders. SACNAS Scholars will have the opportunity to engage in both hands-on research training in a UCSB STEM faculty lab during an 8-week intensive summer program, and academic year leadership development. Scholars also receive funding and support for professional development or training that will inform and prepare Scholars for post-graduation career opportunities or advanced academic pursuits.

Application Opens: December 1, 2024

Deadline: February 9, 2025

Program Dates: June 23, 2025 - August 15, 2025

Program Details

Summer Program

  • Spring 2025 "Practice of Science" onboarding to research course, to be completed in Spring quarter
  • Research Training Dates: June 23 to August 15, 2025
  • $4,800 stipend for 8-week internship
  • Summer weekly professional development workshops, networking, and seminars
  • Project presentations at the CSEP Final Talks and Summer Colloquium

Academic Year Leadership Training

  • $500 SACNAS Leadership Stipend
  • $500 toward cost of a SACNAS leadership development and/or outreach activity to support UCSB students in the SACNAS Community
  • Up to $1,000 to attend a conference or participate in other professional/career development

All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM on February 9, 2025.

We seek applicants who are interested in contributing to the mission of the
UCSB SACNAS Community and meet the following criteria:

  • Full-time UCSB undergraduate STEM majors
  • Students must have at least 1.5 years left before graduation at time of application (summer + following academic year). 

All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM on February 9, 2025.

How to Apply

The following application materials must be received by 11:59PM on February 9, 2025.

Application Form

Short Responses: These can only be uploaded AFTER submitting the application form.

  • Discuss your interest in science and the qualities you possess that will make you a good scientist. What have you done, both in and out of the classroom, that demonstrates your motivation and interest in science? Give specific, recent examples.
  • Briefly describe your research area of interest. This need not be based on research that you have done or are currently doing. We simply want to understand what areas interest you.
  • Describe how this internship program will help you reach your current/future educational and career aspirations. How will you contribute to our intern community if you are accepted?
  • Tell us about your leadership, outreach and/or community service experiences: how could you leverage your experience to contribute to the UCSB SACNAS undergraduate community? If you have not had prior experience in these areas, describe your potential contribution to the UCSB SACNAS undergraduate community.
  • We acknowledge that every student has had unique life experiences that may not be captured in the above questions.The selection committee is interested in learning more about extenuating circumstances you have encountered throughout your journey. If you have nothing to add here, please write 'N/A'.

CV/resume (PDF smaller than 5MB to be uploaded after submitting the application form).

Unofficial transcript (PDF smaller than 5MB to be uploaded after submitting the application form).

Approximately two weeks after the submission deadline, applicants selected for interviews will be notified by email and asked to sign-up for an interview time. All communication will be via email.  Please confirm that your email address is correct and check your email frequently. Though only some students will be selected for interviews, all applicants will be notified of the status of their application when the interview/selection process is complete (approximately 3-4 weeks after application deadline).

Interns will be notified via email about all requirements shortly after accepting a position in the program. The following must be submitted by the deadlines outlined in the intern contract.

A 1-page project proposal that you have arranged with your research sponsor. The proposal should include:

  • Background information about the research area
  • A specific discussion of the activities you will be doing in your research project

A letter of support from your research sponsor indicating their support of your project. Your lab mentor should also be identified in this letter.

Signed Intern Responsibility contract

All waivers and liability releases

Program Director: M. Ofelia Aguirre Paden (aguirre@ucsb.edu), Program Coordinator: Shelby Le (shelbydle@ucsb.edu)
Note: ALL correspondence with applicants will be via email, including award decisions.