Research Opportunities

Research Opportunities- Students engaged in class, lab and presenting research

The Office of Undergraduate Research identifies and develops research opportunities for CSUDH students on campus and at other institutions, during the academic year as well for summer research experiences. These opportunities are specifically designed to help undergraduates succeed in research and help them transition towards graduate school. If you’re interested in doing research, the best place to start is to talk to your instructors! They are the disciplinary experts in their fields, and often can provide specialized guidance that is specific to your major. Below are programs currently operating on and off campus, many of which work closely with the Office of Undergraduate Research. You may learn more about the eligibility and requirement of the programs using the links below.


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COAST Undergraduate Student Research Support Program   

The CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology (COAST) is the umbrella organization for marine and coastal related activities within the CSU. COAST promotes research and education to advance our knowledge of natural marine and coastal resources and the processes that affect them. COAST encourages all types of research and other activities that relate to the open and coastal ocean, coastal zones (bays, estuaries, beaches), and coastal watersheds to the extent that the organisms, material or process ultimately articulates with the coast.  Work supported by COAST is not limited to research in California. 

COAST created the Undergraduate Student Research Support Program to provide funding to every campus in the CSU to support undergraduate student participation in faculty-mentored marine, coastal and coastal watershed research. The goal of this program is to engage 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.  

Please contact Dr. Samantha Leigh (sleigh@csudh.edu) with any questions, comments, or concerns about this program, or COAST.

COAST UR Application and Instructions [Closed]


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LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)

This program is provides funding for research supplies and travel, and workshops, for undergraduates interested in a research career in STEM.

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McNair Scholars Program

This program provides a stipend, and funding for supplies, travel, and supports students who are planning to pursue a PhD.

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MMUF (Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program)

This is a program fellowship support for students who intend to enroll in a PhD program in the humanities and social sciences (eligible majors: Africana Studies Anthropology, Art History, Chicano/a Studies, Communications, English, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Spanish, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology).

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SART (Substance Abuse Disorders Research Training)

SART Brochure

A training program designed to advance substance abuse research skills and to reduce health disparities in substance use disorders and addiction. SART is for Pre-professional trainees (undergraduates, master’s students, and post-baccalaureate; early-stage) from academic programs at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) or California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) that require a thesis.

Please note that many of these research opportunities are federally funded, and hence support is limited for those who are not US citizens or permanent residents. If you are not eligible for these kinds of support, there still are options available to you and our office is committed to providing access to research opportunities. If you are undocumented and in STEM, please see this list of summer research opportunities that are available to you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us about your options.