UC Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the 2025 James V. & Beverly R. Zaleski Discovery Award in Robotics, made possible by a generous $94,000 gift from the James V. & Beverly R. Zaleski Trust. This competitive award is intended to support a single, exceptional postdoctoral scholar, graduate student, or research professional conducting innovative research in the field of robotics, with a focus on pioneering advancements in analog and hybrid digital computing.

 

The Discovery Award provides seed funding for bold, high-impact research that may not yet qualify for conventional funding sources, such as those offered by the National Institutes of Health. By providing a significant measure of independence, the award aims to accelerate the careers of outstanding scientists and engineers positioned to drive the next wave of discovery.

 

All laboratory leadership (faculty) in the College of Engineering (COE) are invited to nominate their most promising postdoctoral researchers or research professionals whose work aligns with the themes of robotics and biomedical applications.

 

Each nomination must include the following materials:

• Research Proposal (maximum 3 pages, 10pt font, standard margins) describing the proposed project.

• Budget Summary (¼ page), outlining how the funds (up to $94,000) will be used (e.g., salary, supplies, equipment). If salary is included, benefits must be added. Proposals do not require submission through OR and thus do not need to include indirect costs.

• Statement of Innovation & Impact: Since the award intends to bestow a measure of independence, each proposal should include a paragraph to address the question: How is this work innovative compared to the lab’s current direction? The proposal should also include a statement about the broader impact of the work.

• Curriculum Vitae of the nominee.

• Career Objectives Statement from the nominee.

• Two Letters of Recommendation:

o One from the faculty mentor or laboratory head.

o One from an additional scientist familiar with the nominee’s work (may be from UCSB or another institution).

 

Timeline

• Application Deadline: May 9, 2025 (NEW DEADLINE!)

• Award Notification: By June 1, 2025

• Award Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

• Final Report Due: June 30, 2026

Award funds may be used to support any project-related expenses, including salary, research supplies, and access to essential equipment and facilities. Funds must be fully expended by June 30, 2026.

 

Applications will be evaluated by the Zaleski Discovery Award Committee, comprised of distinguished UCSB faculty from across engineering and biomedical science disciplines. Selection will be based on the creativity, feasibility, and potential impact of the proposed research.

 

The recipient will be asked to provide a brief stewardship report to the Zaleski Trust at the conclusion of the award period. In addition, the recipient will meet with members of the Zaleski Trust and a UCSB Development representative early in the award year to share their research vision and goals.

 

Please submit all application materials by May 9, 2025, via email to:

Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Email: sls@ucsb.edu