NSF LSAMP/CAMP logo and wordmark with three round shaped photos of student researchers in lab on a backround of blues and floating science notations

About NSF LSAMP/CAMP

Program overview

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), California Louis Stokes Allianhttps://urc.ucdavis.edu/camp/prospective-studentsce for Minority Participation (CAMP) represents the California branch of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. CAMP is hosted on nine of the UC campuses, with the lead campus for the California Alliance centered at UC Riverside (CAMP Statewide). The LSAMP program assists universities and colleges in their efforts to significantly increase the numbers of students matriculating into and successfully completing high quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in order to diversify the STEM workforce. Particular emphasis is placed on transforming undergraduate STEM education through innovative, evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, and relevant educational experiences in support of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders.  The shared experience of building community and presenting research at conferences impacts persistence, social-emotional parameter, and graduation rates in STEM fields. These combined strategies facilitate the production of well-prepared students highly-qualified and motivated to pursue graduate education or careers in STEM.

LSAMP/CAMP at UC Davis aims to recruit and retain students in STEM majors, facilitate their academic success, and encourage their transition to graduate study.  Faculty-mentored research experiences play a large role in the program and LSAMP/CAMP Scholars actively participate in research during the summer and throughout the academic year.

Program eligibility

To qualify for the NSF LSAMP/CAMP Program students must meet the following criteria:

Students must:

  • Be African American, Chicano, Latino, Native American, and Non-Filipino-Pacific Islander. Your inclusion in one of these groups is based on the ethnic identity you reported to UC Davis at time of admission.
  • Be a declared Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) major
  • Be a full-time second-year, or rising third, fourth, or fifth year UC Davis student in good academic standing (transfer students currently at UC Davis are encouraged to apply)
  • Have and maintain at least a 2.70 UC cumulative GPA
  • Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Be interested in research (note: you do not have to have previous research experience to apply to this program)

Priority consideration is given to students who:

  • Are first-generation college students (neither parent nor legal guardian has a Bachelor’s degree)
  • Intend to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. after graduation. This program is not open to students intending to pursue professional degrees such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, management, or law.

Program benefits

NSF LSAMP/CAMP offers the following benefits:

  • Faculty research mentors help students formulate their research interests and develop their research skills.  Faculty also write stellar letters of recommendation for students applying to graduate school.
  • Students gain extensive research experience (year round), including help choosing a faculty research mentor
  • Academic and professional development workshops and seminars provide information on such topics as scientific communication, creating a scientific poster, strengthening academic and communication skills, and more
  • Individual academic and holistic advising/coaching is provided for each student several times throughout the quarter
  • Students gain leadership, communication, and presentation skills
  • Students build their STEM research identity/profile
  • Educational, social and networking enrichment opportunities are provided to scholars
  • Community building experiences are offered to students (and faculty) with similar academic, personal, and professional interests
  • A summer research program provides students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor during the summer
  • Scholars receive quarterly and summer research stipends (scholars only)
  • Scholars participate in a UC-Wide CAMP Symposium, the Undergraduate Research Conference, and other conferences and symposia
  • Graduate school field trip opportunities are available to participants
  • Participants are Bridge to the doctorate-eligible

Financial support for scholars

  • $1,000/quarter
  • Summer stipends range from $500-$3,500 (TBD based on options for summer programming)

Application information

Application materials include:

  • NSF CAMP Online Application           
  • Personal statement
  • College transcripts (Required for new transfer students only)

Deadlines

  • Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2024

Online application 
 

Scholars with an active research position are expected to conduct research and attend weekly professional development workshops. 

For more information about NSF CAMP, contact Lolita Adkins at lrnelson@ucdavis.edu, or urc@ucdavis.edu, or visit the Undergraduate Research Center, 2300 Student Community Center.

CAMP Scholars