Research Fellows Program

The funded CSU-SPaRA Research Fellows Program is an initiative to increase participation within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research fields.

Students accepted into this program will conduct research with a CSULB faculty member during the academic year.

How to Apply

Important! If you are not already a general member, you must first apply to the general CSU-SPaRA program (application coming soon). You may apply to the general program at any time.

After being accepted into the general program, you are then eligible to apply to the funded CSU-SPaRA Research Fellows Program.

Additional Components Needed

Applicants will also need additional components for a completed application. If you did not upload the Personal Statement and Unofficial CSULB Transcripts in the application form, please email them to lsamp@csulb.edu.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement and brief description of your research project should be two pages or less, and must include the following:

  1. your name
  2. why you are applying to the CSU-SPaRA program
  3. name of your faculty mentor or a mentor you are interested in working with
  4. if applicable, include number of years or months you have worked in the lab/field
  5. description of your research project or research topic you are interested in working in
  6. what your future goals are, and how would our program help you achieve those goals

Unofficial CSULB Transcripts

Your unofficial CSULB transcripts can be accessed in MyCSULB.

Letter of Recommendation

We require one (1) letter of recommendation. This recommendation should be from your faculty research mentor. The person you list as a recommender will be sent an auto-generated email with a link to the online recommendation form.

It is your responsibility to make sure they receive the email and submit the requested materials on time.

Benefits

Students accepted in the CSU-SPaRA Research Fellows Program will:

  • Conduct research with a faculty member. You will conduct research with a CSULB faculty member.
  • Receive a stipend. You receive a stipend (money) for doing research with a faculty mentor. Your faculty mentor will receive money for supplies. Contingent on funding.
  • Enhance applications to graduate programs. This program will help you become a competitive candidate for graduate programs (Master's or Ph.D.) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Responsibilities

While in the program, you are required to attend all CSU-SPaRA Research Fellows Program activities. These activities include weekly meetings to provide updates about your research, professional development workshops, and information on graduate programs.

After you have completed the program, we ask only one thing: update us on your graduate/professional placement. This allows us to see how successful the program has been and make improvements for future cohorts.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Enrolled full-time at CSULB as an undergraduate student. (Post-baccalaureate/second bachelor students are not eligible.)
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate major in a STEM discipline.
  • Be an individual interested in pursuing graduate studies or join the workforce in a STEM field that is outside the health profession degrees or careers.
  • Agree to be part of longitudinal research and tracking of graduate studies or professional placement.