How Can Supporters Give to or Get Involved with UO Natural Sciences?

Updated

The Natural Sciences site at the University of Oregon points supporters to the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) as the giving channel. The page's "We Love Our Supporters" section states that gifts to CAS "can help our students make the most of their college careers" and that contributions "help us ensure that teaching, research, advising, mentoring" continue. So the starting point for giving is the supporters section on the Natural Sciences site, which routes to CAS. The page does not list specific donation amounts, payment methods, or a named development officer, so those details need to come from CAS directly.

What the site says about supporting students

The giving message on the Natural Sciences page is short and general. It frames support around student outcomes rather than around a specific fund, department, or building. The stated uses of contributions are:

  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Advising
  • Mentoring

That list is the site's own description of what gifts support. It does not break the funds down by department, and it does not name a specific scholarship or program.

Where to start on the site

The "We Love Our Supporters" block is the entry point the page provides. From there, the giving path leads to the College of Arts and Sciences, since the Natural Sciences departments sit within CAS. The page also links to "Explore CAS Graduate Programs" and "Affiliated Centers and Institutes," which are useful if your interest is in a particular area rather than general support.

If you want to direct your interest to a specific field

The site lists these Natural Sciences departments and programs, which can help you decide what you want your support to connect to:

Area Listed as
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
Bioengineering Program
Biology Department
Computer and Information Technology Program
Computer Science Department
Cybersecurity Program
Data Science Program
Earth Sciences Department
Human Physiology Department
Marine Biology Program
Materials Science and Technology Program
Mathematics Department
Mathematics and Computer Science Program
Multidisciplinary Science Program
Neuroscience Program
Physics Department
Psychology Department

The page does not say whether gifts can be designated to any one of these units, so treat the list as a way to identify your area of interest, then confirm designation options with CAS.

Getting involved beyond giving

The site's news section shows the kind of work supporters and prospective students can follow. Recent items include:

  • A Psychology alum's note on the importance of trying new things (September 16, 2026)
  • CAS marine biologists discovering new plankton off the Oregon coast (September 16, 2026)
  • A UO-led research team advancing quantum networking, with a two-year, $4 million National Science Foundation grant to build a prototype quantum network on campus (July 20, 2026)

Following this news is a low-commitment way to stay connected to the departments you care about. The page also notes that its roughly 300 faculty members include fellows of many learned societies and academies, and that their research ranges from the foundations of quantum mechanics to cancer cells and the workings of the brain, with some work leading to high-technology spin-off companies.

What the page does not cover

The Natural Sciences page does not state:

  • Specific gift amounts or giving levels
  • Payment platforms or online giving forms
  • Whether gifts can be restricted to a named department, center, or scholarship
  • Contact details for a development or advancement office

For any of these, go through the College of Arts and Sciences rather than assuming a process from the Natural Sciences page alone.