Frequently Asked Questions

Any current full-time undergraduate CSULB student or incoming transfer (for fall semester) student who:

• Is majoring in the College of Liberal Arts, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, College of Engineering, or College of Health & Human Services (check which college your major falls under here) and MUST be interested in pursuing both a career and an advanced degree in health-related research
• As of June, has one to two semesters (for Fellows cohort) or three to four semesters (for Scholars cohort) left before completing their undergraduate degree
• Is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, permanent resident, or DACA recipient

Although all students, regardless of background are welcome to apply, you are strongly encouraged to apply if you have any of the following characteristics:

• You are from a traditionally underrepresented group in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences
• You have demonstrated personal achievement or endured life challenges that can contribute to the diverse perspectives in health-related research (e.g., first-generation college student, limited English proficiency, disability, geographic residency, refugee status, financially disadvantaged backgrounds, etc.)
• You have a commitment to community service or underserved populations

Based on the criteria listed above, if you are ineligible to apply to BUILD, then please use the following link to view other research and funding opportunities for CSULB students: Research & Funding Opportunities for CSULB Students

No, students must be a US Citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA recipient to apply. However, research experience is still available to international students with unpaid research internships. Our mentors have both students in our programs and students doing research independent of a program. This research experience will still help with graduate applications and a career in research. International students can also go to the Graduate Center on the 2nd floor of the University Library to receive free grad school prep assistance. Pro-active students can piece together some of the important components of these programs on their own.

First, find out if applications are currently being taken by going to the Apply page. When applications are open, in addition to the online application form, you will be asked to upload several elements into the system. So that you can be prepared, we've published a list of these elements here.

The CSULB BUILD training programs are part of a joint application with similar NIH-funded CSULB programs.

No. If you have a preference, you can state that. If you do, you will need to provide a reason for your preference. If you don’t, your application will be reviewed by the participating programs at the same time and, if accepted, you will be placed in the most appropriate program for you by the selection committee.

You can submit a PDF of your unofficial transcript. 

The programs prefer a recommendation from an instructor familiar with your work in the field in which you expect to study/research.

Up to 8-10 students will be selected to participate in the BUILD program.

If selected for a BUILD Program, you will be required to work with a BUILD Research Mentor at the start of the summer program (June) and for the duration of your time in the BUILD Program.

Are you a student that wants to reach out to a mentor, but you aren’t sure what to say? Download this Contact Faculty Template to help you get started.

Additional Tips:

• Use the Undergraduate Research Mentor Directory (linked above) to start your search!
• You can also use the CSULB Department Webpages to find additional faculty. *Note: they will need to become a BUILD Mentor by the start of the summer program.
• Find someone who’s research interests you. Read their profile, external lab website, look up some of their research articles. They do not need to be in the same department/major as you.
• Contact them early to see if they are still accepting students, they have space in their lab/research project, and to request a time to meet.
  • Do not be afraid to send a reminder email (but give them enough time to respond). If it has been over two weeks, try stopping by during their office hours.
  • You can contact multiple faculty members. Just make sure you let them know of your final decision.
• In your meeting, be prepared to share about yourself and why you are interested in working with them.
  • Ask about the research project, work environment, expectations (e.g., schedule, in person meetings), who will be directly supervising me, etc. to ensure this is a good match (keep in mind you’ll be working with them for one to two years and they’ll be the ones writing your recommendation letters for grad school).
  • Be prepared to share about yourself too! Not only can you share your motivation for joining BUILD, enthusiasm for research, and your career and academic goals, but also about your personal self. They may ask you for your CV or resume to see what experience you already have.
• If you feel they are a good match, then ask them to be your BUILD Research Mentor!
  • If you are in the application phase still, they can submit a letter of commitment or be your recommender.
  • If you have already been given an offer to join the program, they will be asked to sign off on your Student MOU, complete a Mentee Development Plan with you, and will receive their Mentor MOU to sign.