Through funding from the CSU Chancellor’s Office and each individual CSU campus, COAST provides support to CSU undergraduate and graduate students with the goals of enhancing educational experiences and supporting student success and professional development. If you have any questions regarding the programs below after reading the program announcements, please see the
Student Funding FAQ.
Awardees are responsible for assuring that COAST is acknowledged in any publication (including Web pages) or presentation of material based on or developed under the COAST award as CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST).
Please use the Past Student Awards page to access information on previous awards made to CSU students through our different funding programs.
Coale Graduate Scholar Awards
COAST provides support to CSU graduate students engaged in marine, estuarine, coastal and coastal watershed research with CSU COAST faculty members. These awards support students interested in pursuing marine-related careers and provide them with the opportunity to obtain the skills necessary to join a highly skilled, technologically advanced workforce while promoting and supporting CSU faculty research.
Beginning in 2022, COAST renamed this program the Coale Graduate Scholar Award program to honor Dr. Kenneth Coale. Kenneth was instrumental in founding COAST and this award honors his legacy.
Read more about Kenneth.
Previous awards
Field Experiences Support Program - Undergraduates
This new COAST program provides support to CSU undergraduates to increase participation in ocean and coastal field experiences by economically challenged students. Undergraduate students can request funding to allow them to
- Purchase personal gear needed to engage in field work.
- Travel to engage in field work.
- Pay extra fees and other costs for field courses & CSU classes (broadly defined).
Funds must be used to allow students to do something they wouldn't be able to do otherwise or wouldn't be able to do without creating significant financial hardship. Applications from students who already have considerable field experience will be considered, but
support for students who have little or no field experience will be prioritized.
Student Internships
COAST partners with state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and industry to provide paid summer internships for continuing CSU undergraduate and graduate students. Interns work side-by-side with professionals on current projects throughout California. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience and learn technical skills while working with professional marine scientists, field biologists, and policy experts.
Students who are members of groups that have been historically excluded from marine and coastal science, including students who are Hispanic, Latina/o, Black or African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native or a combination of ethnicities; noncitizens; female; LGBTQIA+; first-in-family; economically disadvantaged; veterans; have disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants of any race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, immigration status, national origin, age, dis/ability or veteran status are welcome.
Previous Interns
Summer 2023 |Summer 2022 |Summer 2021 | Summer 2020 | Summer 2019 | Summer 2018 |
Summer 2017 | Summer 2016 |
Summer 2015 |
Summer 2014 |
Summer 2013 |
Summer 2012 | Summer 2011
Student Travel Awards
COAST provides support for continuing CSU undergraduate and graduate students to attend and present the results of original ocean and coastal research at scientific meetings and conferences.
We are no longer accepting applications for travel occurring between July 1, 2023 - March 31, 2025. The 2024-25 Student Travel Award Program is currently accepting applications for travel occurring between April 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025. Please read the full Student Travel Award Announcement for the application procedures and materials, deadlines, eligibility and restrictions.
Please note: As of September 2023, the state travel ban is no longer in effect after Newsom signed California’s Senate Bill 447, which repealed the state travel ban law.
Previous awards
Undergraduate Student Research Support Program
The Undergraduate Student Research Support Program provides $3,000 annually directly to EACH campus to support ocean and coastal research by CSU undergraduate students. Campus Representatives implement the program on their campus. Interested undergraduate students should contact their faculty advisors to learn more and get involved.
The 2024-25 Undergraduate Student Research Support Program is now open. Please read the
Program Description, Guidance and Requirements Announcement for full details and reporting materials.