Barriers exist for some students interested in marine field work, including a lack of hands-on field based research experiences before college life. The Marine Science Institute's Diversity in Diving program is designed to eliminate barriers to UC Santa Barbara's Research SCUBA Certification program by providing financial support, along with mentorship and guidance, for students who are interested in becoming scientific divers. Gifts to this program support students with little or no previous underwater experience all the way to becoming full-fledged scientific divers and will help to diversify marine sciences while shaping a future generation of environmental leaders.