About
The California State University STEM Pathways and Research Alliance (CSU-SPaRA) is a comprehensive CSU system-wide program dedicated to increasing the number of students successfully completing quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). CSU-SPaRA began in 2025 as a continued effort of the CSU to promote STEM success and achievement through a coordinated program of activities on each of the 22 CSU campuses.
At CSUSB, the program, previously known as CSU-LSAMP, is offered as SPaRA @ San Bernardino. SPaRA @ San Bernardino is a program for undergraduates that provides:
- financial support for student researchers
- financial support for students applying to graduate school
- advising to help students prepare for careers in STEM
- a supportive community of STEM students and faculty
CSU-SPaRA is funded through the California State University (CSU) Chancellor's Office.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in SPaRA @ San Bernardino, a student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be an undergraduate majoring in an NSF-defined STEM discipline (NSF Approved Majors for LSAMP Program).
- Be an individual interested in pursuing graduate studies or joining the workforce in a STEM field outside the health profession.
- Be an individual who has faced or faces social, educational, or economic barriers to STEM careers.
Funding & Support
For the 2025–2026 academic year, active members received research stipends (up to $500 for a maximum of 30 hours of documented work) and coverage of graduate school application fees (up to $300), along with academic mentoring with the faculty co-coordinators, skill-building workshops, and guidance on presenting at academic conferences (such as the Meeting of the Minds and SACNAS).
This year — 2026–2027 (proposed)
Based on the 2026–2027 program proposal, active members can expect:
Financial support
- Research stipends up to $500: available to students who document 30 hours of work on a faculty-mentored research project in a given semester (not compensated through any other source) and who present, or plan to present, the results in poster or oral form. Students may participate in up to two semesters per year.
- Graduate school support: coverage of graduate school application fees (up to $300) and partial or full reimbursement of GRE and GRE subject exam fees for students with concrete plans to apply to graduate school.
Professional development
- Academic mentoring with the faculty co-coordinators.
- At least six skill-building workshops per year (e.g., applying for grants, applying to graduate school, writing a CV, requesting letters of recommendation, and initiating conversations with a potential research mentor).
- Support to present research and attend conferences, including the CSUSB Meeting of the Minds, SCURR, and the SACNAS NDiSTEM Conference.
Similar levels of support are expected to continue each year.