Baker and Koob 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.
Who may apply
All Cal Poly undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Some exclusions apply:
- Projects already funded by an Instructionally Related Activity (IRA) or other university endowments (e.g., CPConnect) are not eligible.
- Only one project per student or group will be funded per year.
- Grants are not intended for faculty projects or college equipment.
- Club projects are not eligible, as they have other funding option
All applications must name a faculty advisor and include a letter of support from this advisor.
How To Apply
To apply, students must complete the Baker/Koob cover page and proposal, and obtain a letter of support from the faculty advisor named in the proposal. Complete instructions and additional information are available in the links below.
The application period for the 2024-24 Baker/Koob grants is now open. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, November 14.
Critical Documents
2023-24 Awarded Projects
| Project Title | Student Researcher | Student Department |
|---|---|---|
| Rattlesnake Live Stream Camera | Owen Bachhuber | Biological Sciences (BCSM) |
| Sudden Oak Death Impacts on Plant Communities | Sam Balthazard | Natural Resources Management & Environmental Sciences (CAFES) |
| CP16 | Neil Bedagkar | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Investigation of Differential Gene Expression in Regenerative Marine Vertebrae | Morgan Boyd | Biological Sciences (BCSM) |
| Bellvue-Santa Fe Charter School SciTechatorium Senior Project | Cole Busch | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Developing Methods to Quantify and Predict the Progression of Endothelial Dysfunction | Krystal Cardenas & Ashley Vu | Biomedical Engineering (CENG) |
| Integrative Multi-Omics to Reveal Novel Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning Infertility Disorders and Mastitis in Dairy Cattle | Zikai K. Chen & Desiree Seto | Animal Sciences (CAFES) |
| Photos, Lasers and Neural Primitives: Adapting New Technologies to Measuring Forest Metrics | Samuel Ericksen | Natural Resources Management & Environmental Sciences (CAFES) |
| Kinematic and Solar Tracker for ROACH | Ethan Gaigalas | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Deep Ocean Vehicle (DOV) Team | Evan Hall | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Ross Dam Micro-Hydro Power Senior Project | Kim Tevan | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Quantifying the Putative Therapeutic Serving Size of Commercial Probiotic Foods: A Survey | Reina Knowles | Food Science & Nutrition (CAFES) |
| Inhibiting Iron Acquisition as a Novel Strategy Against UTIs | Adam Marin | Biological Sciences (BCSM) |
| Rapid Composter | Lesley Milena Estrada | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Sierra Sustainability Summit | Shane Patrick | Political Science (CLA) |
| Cal Poly Water Resource Research Program | Avery Reiter | Natural Resources Management & Environmental Sciences (CAFES) |
| Dana Adobe & Cultural Center Bird Trail Stairway Access Replacement | William Spellman | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Effect of Air Quality on Health in Low-Income Adults Living on the Central Coast | Kelsey Titterington & Tori Blackburn | Kinesiology and Public Health (BCSM) |
| Rover on a Chip (ROACH) Debris Utility & Solar Shell Technology (DUSST) | Tanner Wells | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
2024-25 Baker/Koob Grants Faculty Review Committee
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Matt Cole | Economics (OCOB) |
| Amanda Emberley | Mechanical Engineering (CENG) |
| Martine Lappe | Social Sciences (CLA) |
| Sean C. Lema | Biological Sciences (BCSM) |
| Jeff Ponitz | Architecture (CAED) |
| Gordon Rees |
Natural Resources Management & Environmental Sciences (CAFES) |
Endowment for Excellence in Project-Based Learning
Endowment for Excellence in Project-Based LearningWARREN 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.
Endowment for Student Success
Endowment for Student SuccessROBERT 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.