The onBOARD Program at MSI is designed to eliminate barriers for students interested in marine field work by providing financial support, mentorship, and guidance for those looking to become scientific divers and enter the exciting world of underwater marine research. This program supports awardees in a variety of ways as they work towards becoming full-fledged scientific divers—including assisting with swimming proficiency, open water certification, selecting and purchasing gear, practice dives, scientific certification, and placement with a research group on campus—no previous underwater experience required.

For information, please contact Jenn Caselle at caselle@ucsb.edu or (805) 893–5144.

SCUBA diving is an essential skill required for many fields within the marine sciences. UCSB has the largest scientific diving program in the United States, yet can be difficult to access for many students. Getting certified to SCUBA dive can be daunting - physically, mentally and financially. The onBOARD program seeks to support students through the SCUBA training while simultaneously introducing students to marine science research through field and lab-based internships. We are committed to providing research experience to all our UCSB undergraduates. As scientists, we believe that the representation of people from all backgrounds is integral to achieving success in developing the future scientific workforce.