A statewide alliance of California universities, colleges and businesses formed to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the sciences recently received $5 million from the National Science Foundation to help provide research opportunities and stipends for undergraduates. "The program is especially important in light of what's happening with the state's demographics," says the program's regional director, Merna R. Villarejo, associate dean of biological sciences at UC Davis and a professor of biochemistry. "By encouraging firsthand experiences in the sciences, we hope more minority students will pursue careers in science, engineering and medicine." Villarejo will coordinate participants throughout Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay Area. UC Davis is one of four lead UC campuses in the California Alliance for Minority Participation in the Sciences. UC Irvine oversees the overall project. Over 80 percent of the money received from NSF is committed to providing research opportunities and stipend support for African American, Chicano/Latino, Native American and Pacific Island undergraduates.