CBS Dean’s Innovation Fund

Formerly the CBS Dean’s Circle/Annual Fund, the newly renamed CBS Dean’s Innovation Fund provides critical support for the College of Biological Sciences’ most important priorities. This fund empowers the Dean to invest in strategic initiatives that enhance student success, advance cutting-edge research, and strengthen academic programs. It also enables the College to respond swiftly to emerging opportunities and urgent needs as they arise.

Gifts to the CBS Dean’s Innovation Fund ensure that the College remains agile and visionary, fostering innovation and excellence across all areas of biological sciences. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually are recognized as members of the CBS Dean’s Circle, a community of dedicated supporters committed to shaping the future of the College.

Thank you for your support!

CBS 20th Anniversary Matching Initiative

To celebrate the college's 20th anniversary, we’re launching an exciting matching gift initiative — a unique opportunity to double your impact. Thanks to the generosity of the CBS Philanthropy Leadership Council, every gift to the CBS Dean’s Innovation Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $202,500 from now through June 30, 2026. Your support will help expand our Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) and provide the research supplies, equipment, and instructional support that make these experiences possible. It will also give the college vital flexibility to respond to emerging needs and opportunities, ensuring CBS remains at the forefront of innovation and student support.

A Legacy Rooted in Curiosity. A Future Powered by Innovation.

Twenty years ago, the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) was founded on a bold idea: that the life sciences could not only explain the world around us — but change it for the better. Today, that vision is thriving.

CBS is home to some of the most innovative biological research in the world. Our scientists are decoding the genetic foundations of life, developing climate-resilient crops, and advancing treatments for cancer, infectious disease, and neurological disorders. Our faculty and researchers are exploring the mysteries of the ocean, the intricacies of ecosystems, and the resilience of life in the face of environmental change.

But the true heartbeat of CBS is our students. They come to us with curiosity and ambition. They leave as scientists, leaders, and changemakers. And along the way, they are given something rare and powerful: the opportunity to do real research — hands-on, high-impact, and often life-changing.

Empowering Students Through Discovery

At the heart of CBS’s mission is a commitment to hands-on learning that transforms students into researchers and future leaders. Through our Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), students move beyond textbooks and lectures to actively engage in discovery. They work in labs, ask bold questions, and contribute to meaningful breakthroughs. For many, especially first-generation and transfer students, CUREs offer a powerful sense of belonging and open doors to academic and career opportunities that reflect their aspirations and unlock their full potential.

This is more than a gift. It’s an investment in the future of science—and in the students who will shape it.