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.
Dr. Kenneth H. Coale Graduate Scholar Awards (Formerly known as the COAST Graduate Student Research 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 is renaming this program the Dr. Kenneth H. Coale Graduate Scholar Award program to honor Dr. Kenneth Coale. Kenneth was instrumental in founding COAST and this award honors his legacy. You can read more about Kenneth in the
award announcement.
The application period for the AY 2022-23 Dr. Kenneth H. Coale Graduate Scholar Award Program is now closed.
2022-23 Dr. Kenneth H. Coale Graduate Scholar Award Flyer
Examples of highly ranked applications from prior years
Previous awards
Field Experiences Support Program
This new COAST program provides support to CSU undergraduate and graduate students to increase participation in ocean and coastal field experiences by economically challenged students. Students can request funding to allow them to
- Purchase personal gear needed to engage in field work.
- Travel to take a field course or conduct course-based field work.
- Pay fees and other costs for field courses (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.
We are now accepting applications for the 2022-23 Support for Ocean and Coastal Field Experiences for CSU Students Program on a rolling basis, but
no later than 5:00 pm PDT, June 30, 2023.
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.
Application deadline: Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 5:00 pm PST
Informational webinar: Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 12:00-1:30 pm
REGISTER
Students who are members of a group that is historically excluded in marine and coastal science, including students who are Hispanic, Latina/o, Black or African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native; female; LGBTQIA+; first-generation college students; economically disadvantaged; veterans; and students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants of any race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, dis/ability or veteran status are welcome.
Previous Interns
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 marine, coastal and coastal watershed research at scientific meetings and conferences.
All funding available for conferences occurring on July 1-December 31, 2022, has been awarded and applications will no longer be accepted for this travel period (this includes funding for WSN). We are accepting applications for in-person and remote conferences occurring from January 1 - June 30, 2023.
Application deadline:
-
Domestic travel: No less than
30 days prior to scheduled departure date OR your internal campus deadline for domestic travel, whichever is
greater.
-
International travel: No less than
60 days prior to scheduled departure date OR your internal campus deadline for international travel, whichever is
greater.
-
Remote: No less than
30 days prior to remote conference commencement.
State travel ban: Please note that per CSU Travel Policy and Assembly Bill 1887, COAST cannot support travel to certain states. Please see the
Attorney General's website for more details and a list of states on the travel ban list.
Previous awards
Undergraduate Student Research Support Program
The Undergraduate Student Research Support Program provides $3,000 annually directly to EACH campus to support marine, coastal and coastal watershed related 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.
2022-23 Key Dates and Resources:
2022-23 Program Description, Guidance and Requirements
09/01/22 Project period start date
01/27/23 Interim Campus Report due to COAST
05/03/23 Final Campus Report due to COAST
05/03/23 Individual Student Report due to COAST (for students who ARE NOT working over the summer)
08/09/23 Individual Student Report due to COAST (for students who ARE working over the summer)
08/31/23 Project period end date
Undergraduate Student Research Award Reports from Prior Years