The Outdoor Access for Youth Award is available to all registered UC San Diego undergraduate students with at least a sophomore status. This award is intended for students who are interested in researching and/or developing a project to increase outdoor access for youth on a small or large scale, with an impact upon their future education or career goals. The award period is for spring quarter 2025, but the chosen candidate can begin work in spring 2025 quarter and reapply for summer funding through the TRELS application cycle during spring quarter.
Ideal candidates should have both an interest in expanding outdoor access and a desire to grow their own knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences. The Outdoor Access for Youth Award supports students who envision a just, equitable, and sustainable future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature.
Examples may include students who propose to:
- Envision a summer project to get youth outside and want funding to implement.
- Work in an outdoor setting with youth and want to connect their academic interests in ways that impact youth outdoor access.
- Create a summer project to study and document the effects of outdoor activities for young people.
- Connect youth and young adults to the outdoors and outdoor adventure and want to document their experience.
- Conduct research into strategies for incorporating the outdoors into school or out-of-school time for youth.
- Draw connections between racism, bias, and access to the outdoors and develop potential solutions.
Additional Selection Criteria
(1) The impact of receiving the award on the education and career of the awardee.
(2) The potential long-term impact on young people who will be served by the work of the awardee.
(3) Demonstrated understanding of the effects of, and possible antidotes to environmental discrimination and dispossession.
(4) A supportive faculty mentor who will help advise the project.
How to Apply
Undergraduate students of any college can apply via the TRELS portal here.
It will strengthen your application to tailor your responses in ways that speak to the award description and criteria.