Student Funding Opportunity for California Biodiversity Sampling
Sonoma Ecology Center is partnering with California All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (CalATBI) to support biodiversity sample collection by students and student groups by providing funding opportunities for qualified applicants.
California is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, yet thousands of its species have never been documented. Major gaps remain in our understanding of insects, fungi, and soil communities. Through a partnership between CalATBI and Sonoma Ecology Center, YOU have the opportunity to play a direct role in discovering and preserving this hidden biodiversity. By collecting soil and insect samples across California, you will contribute to a statewide scientific effort to build a voucher-based inventory and a DNA barcode reference library life—creating resources that will support research, conservation, and environmental decision-making for generations to come.
Funding Available for California Biodiversity Research:
Individual Students
Individual applicants must collect and submit at least 10 biodiversity samples from 10 distinct sites, and are eligible to receive $200. Individuals may collect more than 10 samples, but reimbursement is limited to the $200 maximum per application.
Student Groups
Student groups must collect and submit at least 50 biodiversity samples from 50 distinct sites, and are eligible to receive $1,000. Groups may collect more than 50 samples, and we encourage them to do so. While reimbursement is limited at $1,000, additional samples strengthen the statewide biodiversity dataset and are greatly appreciated.
Contact
For questions, contact rachael@sonomaecologycenter.org.
Student Eligibility Requirements
You must be a currently enrolled college or university student or student group.
Funding requires a U.S. bank account for reimbursement.
Please note that funding will be provided after samples have been collected, returned, and verified.
Sample Collection and Funding:
You must collect and submit the required number of samples from the corresponding number of sampling sites. A sampling site is an area of similar habitat with consistent vegetation and environmental conditions (for example, a meadow or forested area). Each site should be smaller than 0.25 mile (0.4 km). For additional guidance, please refer to Best Practices for Site Selection.
All samples must be collected within California. See CalATBI’s logistics map for permitted areas appropriate for sampling. If sampling on private land, please obtain documented permission from the landowner.
Samples may be soil or insects, and must follow CalATBI sampling protocols. Data must be submitted through the CalATBI Survey123 form.
Participants interested in collecting soil and/or insect samples must review the required relevant training videos before collecting samples.
For general participation without funding, visit CalATBI - Help Collect Samples