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Baker Koob Endowments

Faculty and students work on undergraduate research which analyzes ocean water samples from the Cal Poly Pier to determine the Carbon dioxide content of local seawater.

Baker/Koob Endowments  

About the Endowments 

The Baker and Koob Endowments support hands-on, project-based learning for Cal Poly students. The endowments are pooled to fund various student projects through a competitive application process. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, student and faculty travel, research, group projects, conferences, competitions, and materials. The funds are open to all majors and colleges and are intended to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.   

Call For Proposals – 2025-2026 

Proposal Deadline: Monday, December 8, 2025 

Complete Call for Proposals

Who May Apply 

All Cal Poly undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Each proposal must list a faculty advisor who provides oversight and submits a letter of support. 

Note: Projects funded through IRA, CPConnect, or other university endowments are ineligible. 

Funding Details 

  • Individual student projects: up to $2,500 

  • Collaborative projects (2+ students): up to $5,000 

  • Approximately $36,000 total funding is available this year 

 Funds may cover travel, supplies, and operating expenses (not salaries or tuition). 

How To Apply

Proposal Requirements 

To apply, complete the Baker/Koob Endowments Application Form with the following: 

  1. Project Information 

  1. Project Proposal (≤ 3 pages) — abstract, objectives, methods, timeline, dissemination plan using the (click here for proposal template)

  1. Budget Worksheet using the (click here for budget worksheet template)

  2. Letter of Support from the faculty advisor 

Review Criteria 

Proposals are evaluated with a Rubric by a university-wide committee using these weighted categories: 

  • Objectives: clear, measurable, achievable (30%) 

  • Interdisciplinary focus (20%) 

  • Broad impact (societal relevance, DEI, sustainability, etc.) (20%) 

  • Budget appropriateness (10%) 

  • Timeline feasibility (10%) 

  • Plan for dissemination of results (10%) 

Preference is given to first-time applicants, students with financial need, and projects that advance university-wide priorities. 

Awardees will be notified by Monday, February 2, 2026.  

Final Report 

Awardees must submit a brief final report for publication in Digital Commons @ Cal Poly by February 1, 2027. 

     

    Warren J. BakerEndowment for Excellence in Project-Based Learning

    WARREN J. BAKER

    Dr. Baker was named to the role of university president of Cal Poly in 1979, the youngest campus president in California State University history. He served with distinction in that role until his retirement, July 31, 2010.

    Robert D. KoobEndowment for Student Success

    ROBERT D. KOOB

    Dr. Koob served as Cal Poly's senior vice president and vice president for Academic Affairs from 1990 to 1995 and as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs again from 2008 until his retirement in 2012.

     

     

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