Submissions will be evaluated based on the quality of the research described, how the proposed research meets one or more of the goals of COAST, and the need for support. The headings below with specific point values included in parentheses are included in the Application Form and add up to 100 possible points.
Project Description (1500-word maximum, 65 points total)
The project description must clearly describe the research project to be conducted, including its significance, novelty and application. Primary literature must be referenced. The project description must include experimental design, including a clear statement of hypotheses and/or objectives, methodology and planned data analysis. The project description should be easily understood by someone outside the immediate field. E.g., a geologist should be able to understand a proposal on fish ecology, and vice versa. Avoid the use of jargon and highly technical terms without explanation.
- Clear description of the project, its goals and significance (30 points)
- Statements sufficiently referenced (5 points)
- Use of original, peer-reviewed literature, both foundational and current (5 points)
- Clearly stated hypotheses or objectives (5 points)
- Experimental design and methodology (15 points)
- Data analysis plan (5 points)
The project description must also make clear how your proposed activities relate to ocean or coastal environments, organisms or issues. The organism, material or process being studied in the coastal watershed must have a clear and direct impact on the downstream marine environment.
The project description is limited to 1,500 words; any text over this limit will be redacted. References are submitted in a separate section and are not subjected to a word count. Figures and tables can be included in the project description; any text in tables or figures will be included in the word count.
References (0 points)
Provide full bibliographic information for each citation. Reviewers should be able to easily locate any references you include. For examples of widely accepted citation formats, see
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html.
Timeline (250-word maximum, 10 points total)
Include a timeline for use of your award
beginning May 15, 2025. Include projected dates/timeframes for specific activities including your anticipated graduation date. If you reference activities occurring prior to May 15, 2025, for context, be sure to clearly identify the activities an award would fund. As noted below in the Budget and Justification section, awards cannot be used to fund any activities that occur prior to May 15, 2025.
Requests for funds for expenses or work done prior to start date will result in your application being returned without review.
Need for Research (250-word maximum, 7 points total)
This section must clearly articulate the scientific need for your research. How will your work will contribute to the advancement of your field? What intellectual contribution will your expected results make?
Relevance to state of California (100-word maximum, 3 points total)
Work supported by COAST is NOT limited to California, but priority will be given to projects that are applicable to the needs of California. Please describe how your research is relevant to California.
Budget and Justification (250-word maximum for justification, 15 points total)
Construct a line-item budget totaling $4,000 that shows how you will use the award. Awards can be used for living expenses, research-related expenses or both.
PLEASE NOTE: COAST considers requests for personal living expenses and/or tuition to be equal in merit to requests for research-related expenses.
You can request that the entire award be paid 1) directly to you to help defray personal living expenses and/or tuition, 2) to your Department for you to use for supplies and services, or 3) any combination of the two. Any portion of the award paid directly to you will be processed as a scholarship through your campus financial aid office (see Section 7 below). Portions of awards paid through your Department for supplies and services will be managed by the Department. In some cases, materials or supplies purchased for your use by the Department are property of the Department and therefore are not considered personal property. Please consult with your Department for policies regarding purchase of materials and supplies.
Funds can only be requested for costs incurred ON or AFTER the project start date (May 15, 2025).
Award funds may not be used for activities that occur prior to this date. Requests for funds for expenses or work done prior to the start date will result in your application being returned without review.
An example budget is provided in the Application Form. You may use this template (after deleting the example text) or create your own as long as a similar or greater level of detail is provided.
Provide a budget justification that clearly explains your need for the requested support and details how this award will help further and support your research activities. If you request funds to help pay tuition or defray personal living expenses, please be very specific about HOW the funds will be beneficial (i.e., what would an award allow you to do that would not be possible otherwise?).
- Line item budget (7.5 points)
- Justification (7.5 points)
Letter of Recommendation
Your CSU Advisor must provide a letter of recommendation (two-page maximum). The letter must be on CSU letterhead and submitted electronically as either a scanned version of an original containing a signature or must contain an electronic signature. Letters must discuss the value of the student’s proposed research and must comment on the student’s ability to successfully conduct and complete the proposed project. Letters must verify that the student is enrolled in a graduate degree program at a CSU campus. Advisors may recommend more than one student. Advisors should name the file
ApplicantLastName_LOR.pdf and submit it directly to COAST at
[email protected] by the deadline. Letters will remain confidential.
Award Conditions and Details
- Reporting form to be released soon!
Awardees are required to
- Make an oral or poster presentation on your thesis at an external meeting or conference within one year of receiving the Award, and acknowledge COAST in the presentation. Presenting at a virtual meeting or conference is allowed.
- Acknowledge COAST in any publications or presentations resulting in whole or in part from the Award.
- Provide COAST with an abstract of their research and a one-page summary of the impact of this award on their research progress by December 1, 2025.
Awardees’ name, campus and award information will be included on our website, in annual reports and may be posted on social media. To opt out, please email
[email protected].
Important Financial Aid and Tax Liability Information
Applicants are
strongly encouraged to consult with their campus financial aid office
prior to applying to COAST to determine the potential impact of this award to other forms of compensation provided through their university, including financial aid. Portions of awards paid directly to students will be processed through campus financial aid offices. Please be advised that receiving and accepting a COAST award could lead to a decrease in other forms of financial assistance. Ordinarily, adjustments (if any) are made to loans first before other grants or scholarships. Award recipients should contact their campus financial aid office to determine how the award may affect their total financial aid package.
Because of Internal Revenue Service and other requirements, campuses may also consult with accounting, human resources and international programs staff to determine appropriate method of payment and any tax withholding requirements. Award recipients should consult with a tax professional regarding tax liability resulting from any award.
Examples of Highly Ranked Applications
In an effort to facilitate successful application development, we have gathered several examples of Graduate Student Research Award applications that were highly ranked in previous competitions. This is meant to serve as a guide to the quality of writing and level of detail required to be successful in this competitive opportunity.