RSCA For Students

What is RSCA?

Research, scholarship and creative activity (RSCA) is the term for all scholarship, research, and creative work done by faculty and students. Whether it is researching in a science lab, solving differential equations, creating new written work, paintings, films, dance, or any other type of creative expression, RSCA puts our students and faculty at the forefront of their fields. By participating in RSCA, you will learn from leaders in the field while getting hands on experience that will help you succeed in your next steps.

RSCA Opportunities for Students at SF State 

At SF State, you can participate in cutting edge research and scholarship, create new knowledge and works and positively impact your community and your career. From courses, internships, showcases and grants, SF State offers a variety of programs and resources designed to support you in finding and successfully completing research, scholarship and creative activities (RSCA) as part of your experience at SF State.  

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation scholars program (LSAMP) is housed within SF State Create and provides support for students interested in STEM. 

The College Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) provides support and resources for majors in the College of Liberal & Creative Arts. 

The Student Enrichment Office provides resources for students in the College of Science and Engineering  interested in STEM careers.   

The Leadership EDGE Program and the Mentorship Program offer resources and opportunities to students in the the Lam Family College of Business.   

The Institute for Civic and Community Engagement offers opportunities to all SF State students with learning opportunities with community and industry partners. 

The SF State Academic Works website has additional fellowships and scholarships to support you. 

• Fellowships are financial awards based on research project positions.   

• Scholarships are financial awards based on academic merit and may consider other qualifications. 

SF State Graduate Studies Workshops 
Workshops on applying to graduate school, writing personal statements and strategies for obtaining strong letters of recommendation 

Showcases and Competitions 

CHSS Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Showcase 

COSE Student Project Showcase 

LCA Undergraduate Research Showcase 

LFCoB Pitch Contest 

COES Student Showcase 

CSU-Wide Research Competition 
Participating in the Annual CSU research competition is an excellent way to gain experience communicating your research at conferences and symposia and to enhance your resume or curriculum vitae.

Fellowships and Internships 

The Marcus Undergraduate Research Fellowship  
For students in the College of Liberal and Creative Arts. The Marcus Undergraduate Research Fellowship award supports research and creative activity conducted by undergraduate students in partnership with a faculty mentor. 

Student-Organized Events 

Technology in Kinesiology and Health Reseach Symposium 

Hackathon at SF State 
Spring. A hackathon is a social event where people interested in computer programming, software development, and computer science gather to create or improve upon software programs. 

Unlocking Core Memories as AA&PI: The Art of Storytelling 
This workshop is an interactive art lesson where we will share our own lived experiences and how it has shaped our experiences as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.  

Kinesiology Research Expo 
Fall deadline. The Kinesiology Student Association (KSA) at San Francisco State University provides kinesiology students with opportunities and experiences that facilitate professional growth and development in the areas of Exercise and Movement Science (EMS) and Physical Education (PE).

Travel Funding 

The Marcus Undergraduate Student Presentation Grant 
The grant awards up to $1000 for student majors in the College of Liberal & Creative Arts who will present their work at an in-person or virtual peer-reviewed or juried conference/meeting/exhibit (e.g., a presenter of a paper, exhibitor of a creative project, or performer). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year. 

Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) Student Travel 
This provides funding up to $600 for students currently enrolled at SF State to attend conferences in which the student is an active participant (i.e. a presenter of a paper or performer). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year.

Opportunities Outside SF State 

Internships and Fellowships 

SF State Fellowships Office 
The Fellowships Office provides resources and support to undergraduates, graduate students, and recent alumni interested in applying for nationally competitive and CSU fellowships and awards. 

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship: 
Deadline: TBD; Established in 1988, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program is Mellon’s flagship effort to help remedy the problem of underrepresentation in the faculty ranks of higher education. 

CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology (COAST): 
Student funding for field experiences and travel to conferences 

SF Museum of Modern Art Summer Internship Program 
An internship at SFMOMA is an excellent first step if you are a college student or recent graduate interested in learning more about how museums work, are considering pursuing academic credit for an undergraduate or graduate-level program, those who would like to pursue a career at the museum. 

CSU Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) 
Several programs for students including research awards, teaching awards, scholars programs and travel grants 

NIST SURF 
Deadline Early Spring. The NIST SURF program sponsors an 11-week summer internship program for undergraduate students majoring in chemistry, computer science, engineering, materials science, fire research, nanotechnology, information technology, mathematics, biology, manufacturing, statistics, or other STEM disciplines.  

James C Gaither Junior Fellow Program 
Deadline Winer. The program offers approximately 14 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. 

Junior Fellows Program at the Library of Congress 
A summer internship program that enables undergraduate and graduate students to experience the integrated analog and digital collections and services of the world's largest, all-inclusive library. Working under the direction of Library curators and specialists in various divisions, fellows explore digital initiatives and increase access to the institution’s unparalleled collections and resources. In the past, summer fellows have identified hundreds of historical, literary, artistic, cinematic and musical gems representing the Library’s rich cultural, creative and intellectual assets. No previous experience is necessary, but fellowships are competitive and special skills or knowledge are usually desired.  

UCSF Summer Research Training Program 
Deadline Early Spring. Students spend up to ten weeks working with UCSF faculty members on research projects and take part in seminars, lectures, and social events, creating a cohesive and supportive community.  

List of Summer Undergraduate Research Programs Related to Medicine from AAMC 

Amgen Scholars 
Undergraduate summer research program in science and biotechnology 

Summer Research Opportunities at Big Ten Universities 
A gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities for underrepresented students who pursue graduate study and research careers. SROP helps prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. 

Summer Research Early Identification Program 
A fully paid summer internship that provides undergraduates with training and mentoring in the principles underlying the conduct of research and prepares them to pursue competitive applications to PhD or MD-PhD programs. 

PathwaysToScience.org 
Searchable database of over 600+ STEM undergraduate summer research experiences 

NASA Internships and Fellowships 

National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU)  
Database of STEM summer research fellowships at universities around the country 

Department of Energy Internships and Fellowships 

National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program 
Deadline Early Spring. Students spend a summer working at the NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research (At the NIH "biomedical research" includes everything from behavioral and social sciences, through biology and chemistry, to physics, mathematical modeling, computational biology, and biostatistics).   

National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program 
Deadline Spring. NIH UGSP offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Scholars must commit to two NIH service obligations for every year of scholarship support and spend ten weeks during the summer following each year of academic support, working in an NIH research laboratory. After graduation, scholars will spend one year for every year of support as a full-time employee conducting research at NIH. Scholars are paid for work during summers and after graduation. Each scholar will work directly with an NIH Principal Investigator or an NIH postdoctoral fellow, who will serve as mentors. 

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Internships 
Careers in agriculture are diverse, rewarding, and in demand. USDA offers employment opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in the agricultural, science, technology, math, environmental, management, business, and other fields. 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program 
Deadline Fall. For graduating seniors. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. Fulbright creates connections in a complex and changing world. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad.

Conferences 

Stanford Research Conference    
Deadline Spring. SRC is Stanford’s national undergraduate research conference, hosted by the Stanford Undergraduate Research Association. Since SURA’s founding in 2016, SRC has served as a forum for undergraduates to present their work, hear from distinguished leaders in research, and connect with one another to form a national research community. Open to all undergrads. 

National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 
Deadline Spring. Annual conference for students for undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study. Unlike meetings of academic professional organizations, this gathering of student scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all disciplines. Open to all undergrads.

Showcases and Competitions 

NASA MITTIC Competition: 
Deadline Fall. The NASA Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC) is seeking HBCU and MSI teams of students from all fields of study to rise to the challenge of creating new and innovative technologies to benefit your community and the world. MITTIC provides a resume worthy experience, an opportunity to gain or show off your entrepreneurial skills, money, and bragging rights for your school. This #SpaceToPitch is a chance to develop your own “spinoff” idea into a lucrative business opportunity in the future.