SSI Graduate Research Award

Program Description

Supported by the Student Success Initiative (SSI), the SSI Graduate Research Award, formally known as the SSI Graduate Culminating Fund, is designed to support graduate student research and creative activities related to their thesis, project, or dissertation research.

The program’s goals are: 1) to stimulate research and creative activities among graduate students; 2) to foster problem-solving and problem-framing skills, synthesis skills, and creative skills; 3) to provide financial support to graduate students engaging in research and creative activities; and 4) to contribute to CSUSB’s reputation as a research and innovative institution.

The maximum award amount is $2,000. Students are eligible to receive one award during their time in a CSUSB graduate program.

If awarded, funds must be used in the awarded year and no later than April 1st. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, students must:

1. Be enrolled in a graduate program at CSUSB.
2. Be in good academic standing (e.g. cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher).
3. If appropriate submit a copy of the IRB approval letter/memo at the time of the grant submission for projects involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, or recombinant DNA.
4. Have at least one full semester remaining in their program. Students planning to graduate before Spring 2025 are ineligible.

General Submission Guidelines

The following submission guidelines should be followed:

• Application Deadline: Closed 
• Application and proposal submission must be submitted online through InfoReady.
  • Please select the grant to which you are applying,
  • Log in with your MyCoyote ID,
  • Complete application
• The research proposal should be no longer than six pages. This includes the cover letter, narrative, and budget. 
• All supporting documentation should be submitted at the time of the application submission.
• The proposal budget should not exceed $2000.

Apply Today!

To view complete document guidelines click to download the green button below 

View Application Guidelines

Application Opens: September 2025

Application Deadline: October 2025

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact our office at osr@csusb.edu.

Congratulations to Our SSI Graduate Research Award Recipients!

We are thrilled to recognize the exceptional accomplishments of our graduate students who have been awarded the SSI Graduate Research Award for the 2024-2025 AY. These students have demonstrated outstanding dedication and innovation in their research, contributing to their fields and enriching our academic community.

Congratulations to the following award recipients:

• Amanda Reigle
  • Mentor: Lacey Kendall
  • Amount: $2000
• Del Gerard
  • Mentor: Dr. Michelle Russen
  • Amount: $2000
• Eileen Hernandez
  • Mentor: Dr. Michelle Russen
  • Amount: $2000
• Harleen Kaur Maroak
  • Mentor: Dr. Swat Kethireddy
  • Amount: $2000
• Iman Reihanian
  • Mentor: Dr. Yunfei Hou
  • Amount: $2000
• Jeevan Sai Gali
  • Mentor: Dr. Nima Molavi
  • Amount:$2000
• Krisha Orgo
  • Mentor: Dr. Nicolas Brunet
  • Amount: $1150
• Leon Strayer
  • Mentor: Dr. Nancy Acevedo
  • Amount: $2000
• Mariangel Fernandez Silva
  • Mentor: Dr. Lua Lopez
  • Amount: $2000
• Sailesh Maharjan
  • Mentor: Dr. Karen Escalante
  • Amount: $2000
• Shrishti Sharma
  • Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Castillo
  • Amount: $2000

We look forward to seeing the impact of your research in the months to come. Keep up the fantastic work, and know that the university community is proud to support your journey!