The UCI EEB Field Equipment Library provides outdoor and field equipment that students can borrow for coursework, research, and other field experiences. The library is intended to reduce financial barriers to participating in fieldwork and help ensure that all students have access to the equipment they need to safely conduct research and participate in field courses.
Equipment available for checkout includes hiking boots, backpacks, rain gear, camping equipment, tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles, headlamps, and other field essentials. The collection will continue to grow based on student needs and available funding.
The equipment is housed in Steinhaus Hall. Students can browse the inventory online, reserve available items, and check them out according to the borrowing guidelines. Please return the equipment clean by the agreed-upon return date so it is available to others.
The Field Equipment Library is available to support UCI students participating in field courses, research projects, internships, and other educational field experiences. Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To borrow equipment:
- Browse the online inventory to view available items.
- Reserve or sign out the equipment you need using the inventory system.
- Pick up your equipment at the designated location during the scheduled pickup time.
- Return all items by the agreed-upon return date so they are available for other students.
Borrowing Guidelines
- Equipment is intended for UCI-affiliated educational, research, and outreach activities.
- Borrowers are responsible for inspecting equipment at checkout and reporting any existing damage.
- Please return all equipment clean, dry, and in the same condition in which it was borrowed. This helps extend the life of the equipment and ensures it is ready for the next user.
- If equipment is damaged, lost, or requires repair during your loan period, please notify us as soon as possible. Reporting damage promptly will not automatically result in penalties; it simply allows us to repair or replace equipment before it is needed by someone else.
- Loan periods may vary depending on demand and the type of equipment being borrowed. Extensions may be available if the equipment has not been reserved by another user.
- Repeated late returns or failure to follow borrowing guidelines may result in temporary suspension of borrowing privileges.
If you have questions about equipment availability, pickup, returns, or whether a particular item is appropriate for your project, please contact [contact information].
The UCI EEB Field Equipment Library is continually expanding to meet the needs of students participating in field courses, research, and other outdoor learning experiences. If there is equipment that would enable you to participate in fieldwork or improve your safety and success in the field, we encourage you to submit a request.
How Requests Are Used
Requests generally fall into two categories:
Individual equipment
Some items are most appropriate for individual ownership. Examples include hiking boots, base layers, or other personal equipment that must fit the user or is difficult to share. When these requests are approved, the equipment will be purchased for your use and will remain yours after your field experience.
Shared library equipment
Other items are better suited for the Field Equipment Library because they can be shared among many students. Examples include lightweight backpacking tents, camp stoves, water filters, and other specialized field equipment. When these requests are approved, the equipment will be purchased for the library. You will be able to borrow it for your project, and it will remain part of the shared collection for future students.
Request Priorities
Because funding is limited, requests will be evaluated based on factors such as:
- Whether the equipment is needed for a UCI field course, research project, or educational experience.
- Whether the request removes a financial barrier to participation.
- Whether similar equipment is already available in the library.
- The potential for the equipment to benefit multiple students over time.
Submit a Request
Complete the request form below and provide a brief description of the equipment you need, how it will be used, and the course, research project, or field experience it will support.
Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis as funding is available.
Donations are an important part of the UCI EEB Field Equipment Library. By donating gently used outdoor and field equipment, you can help reduce financial barriers for students and expand access to field-based learning and research opportunities.
We welcome donations from faculty, graduate students, staff, alumni, and community members. Donated equipment should be clean, functional, and safe to use. Whenever possible, we will repair or refurbish donated items before adding them to the library.
Items We Commonly Accept
We are particularly interested in equipment such as:
- Hiking boots
- Backpacks and daypacks
- Rain jackets and rain pants
- Warm clothing and insulated layers
- Tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads
- Trekking poles
- Headlamps
- Camp stoves and cookware
- Water filters and water bottles
- Binoculars
- Waders and waterproof boots
- Other outdoor or field equipment in good working condition
If you are unsure whether an item is appropriate, please contact us before donating via the donation form, below.
How to Donate
- Complete the donation form below to tell us what you would like to donate.
- A Gear Closet coordinator will contact you to arrange drop-off or pickup.
- We will inspect the equipment, clean or repair it if needed, and add it to the collection for student use.
Financial Contributions
We also welcome financial contributions that allow us to purchase new equipment or replace heavily used items. Monetary donations help ensure that students have access to safe, high-quality equipment and allow us to respond to requests for specialized gear that is not currently available.
If you are interested in supporting the Field Equipment Library through a financial gift, please contact [contact information] for more information.
Thank you for helping make field experiences more accessible to all UCI students!
The UCI EEB Field Equipment Library is sustained through a combination of donations, departmental support, and grant funding. Expanding the library allows more students to participate in field courses and research regardless of their financial circumstances.
Faculty are encouraged to include modest requests for shared field equipment in grant proposals. Even small allocations can have a lasting impact by creating a pool of equipment that supports many students over multiple years and across multiple projects.
Examples of equipment that can be supported through grants include backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, rain gear, safety equipment, GPS units, binoculars, sampling gear, and other durable field equipment.
Boilerplate Language for Grant Proposals
Broadening Participation / Project Description
Field-based research often requires specialized outdoor equipment that can present a substantial financial barrier for students. To promote equitable participation in research and field experiences, this project will contribute durable field equipment to the UCI EEB Field Equipment Library, a shared lending program that provides students with access to essential outdoor and research equipment. Equipment purchased through this project will remain available for future students, extending the impact of the investment beyond the lifetime of the grant.
Budget Justification
Funds are requested for durable field equipment that will support student participation in project-related fieldwork. Equipment purchased through this award will be added to the UCI EEB Field Equipment Library, where it will be maintained as a shared resource for current and future students participating in research and field-based educational activities. This approach reduces financial barriers to participation while maximizing the long-term value of the equipment across multiple projects and cohorts of students.