Fellowships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers funding opportunities for students and scholars to pursue graduate study or research in Germany. Each year, UC San Diego may nominate one priority candidate for either a DAAD Study Scholarship or a DAAD Research Grant.

A UC San Diego nomination provides candidates with preferential consideration in DAAD's highly competitive selection process. While nominees compete in a separate applicant pool with a higher likelihood of receiving funding, final award decisions are made by DAAD’s independent Selection Committee.

Funding Opportunities

Study Scholarships
Support graduate-level study in Germany for students from all academic disciplines (excluding architecture and artistic fields).

Funding may be used for:

• A full master’s degree program at a state or state-recognized German university.
• Up to one year of study in Germany as part of a master's or postgraduate degree program being completed at the student's home institution.

Research Grants (One-Year Grants)
Support doctoral students and recent postdoctoral scholars conducting research in Germany.

Eligible applicants include:

• Doctoral students enrolled at a university or research institution outside Germany.
• Postdoctoral scholars within four years of completing their doctorate.

Eligibility Requirements

Study Scholarship Applicants

• Must hold an undergraduate degree.
• Must plan to pursue graduate-level study in Germany.
• Cannot receive funding for a master's program already started in Germany.
• If studying abroad as part of a degree program at their home institution, academic credits earned in Germany must be recognized by the home institution.

Research Grant Applicants

• Must be a doctoral student or recent postdoctoral scholar.
• Cannot be completing their entire doctorate at a German university.

Funding Duration

• Study Scholarships: 10–24 months, depending on the length of the academic program.
• Research Grants: Typically support research projects of up to one year.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letter of Motivation describing:
  • Academic and personal reasons for pursuing study or research in Germany
  • Expected benefits of the experience
  • How the opportunity will contribute to future academic and professional goals
• Reference Letter

This fellowship is typically run in September. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details.

The Lindau Meetings are unique scientific conferences where Nobel Laureates and the most promising Young Scientists meet to educate, inspire, and connect beyond cultural and political boundaries. The annual conferences are alternately dedicated to the Nobel Prize disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, as well as Economics. Every year, the Lindau Meetings attract about 30-40 Nobel Laureates and 600 outstanding Young Scientists from around the globe, thus becoming the world’s largest regular gathering of Nobel Laureates beside the award ceremony in Stockholm itself. Since 1951, more than 35,000 Young Scientists have participated in the Lindau Meetings. Thanks to the Lindau Alumni Network, many of them are still connected to Lindau and to each other, thus creating an exceptional network of scientific excellence. 

Please visit the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings website for more information and selection criteria. 

Students/postdocs should receive support and approval by their department. Nominees should:

• receive strong support of their application by their graduate advisor and/or faculty advisor and/or by an internationally renowned scientist, who knows the applicant well, via the letters of recommendation
• deliver a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) together with their application materials
• commit themselves to being present in Lindau for the full duration of the meeting.

This fellowship is typically run in September. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details.

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship supports doctoral candidates whose dissertation research in the humanities, social sciences, or related fields examines questions of religion, ethics, values, or morals. The fellowship is designed to provide support for a year of focused dissertation writing beginning in September following the selection of Fellows.

While most recipients come from disciplines such as Religious Studies, Philosophy, History, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, and Literature, eligibility is based on the dissertation topic rather than the student's academic department. Students from interdisciplinary programs and, in some cases, STEM fields are encouraged to apply if their research centrally addresses questions of religion, ethics, values, or morals.

Students apply directly to the Newcombe Fellowship program and do not require nomination or oversight from GEPA during the application process. Following the national review, Newcombe Fellowship administrators provide GEPA with a list of eligible UC San Diego applicants. GEPA then conducts an internal review through the Fellowship and Award Review Committee to select the UC San Diego nominee.

Students interested in this fellowship are encouraged to visit the official Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship website for complete eligibility requirements, application instructions, and deadlines. Applications are submitted directly to the fellowship program. This fellowship typically opens in late summer. 

Oceanids and its members have witnessed the birth and amazing growth of UC San Diego since 1952. Oceanids members share a common belief in the power of higher education, and awarding scholarships and fellowships beautifully underscores what they are about as a group, and as individuals. Each year thanks to generous gifts, Oceanids scholarships and fellowships enable students to step out into the world with a lighter financial burden. 

• Bertha Lebus Fellowship 
  • This fellowship will be awarded to a graduate student who is returning to UC San Diego and has had a break in their education of at least one year, preferably longer, from the completion of undergraduate studies. Nominees should have a long-range goal to become a teacher at any educational level. Kindly note this is biannually awarded.

• Frieda Daum Urey Academic Fellowship
  • This fellowship will be awarded to a graduate student who has had a significant hiatus in their studies since undergraduate education, and subsequently enrolls in graduate or professional studies on the General Campus or The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and for whom the award of the fellowship will make a critical financial difference in their ability to attend UC San Diego. The length of the hiatus will typically be at least five years but may be as short as two to three years for students in science or engineering or resuming studies after military service.  Ph.D. students will be preferred, but master's and professional students are also eligible. SOM/SSPPS professional degree and graduate academic degree programs are not eligible.

• Oceanids Memorial Fellowship
  • This fellowship will be awarded to a graduate student who has exhibited academic excellence and financial need at the General Campus of UC San Diego or the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Nominees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. 

Fellowship Award: Stipend $3,000

This fellowship is typically run in September. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details. 

The Judith & Neil Morgan Fellowship recognizes outstanding doctoral students whose research uses humanistic methods to examine the culture and context of pressing societal issues. The fellowship is intended as a mark of distinction and is awarded in addition to the financial support already provided by the student's graduate program. The Judith & Neil Morgan Fellowship supports exceptional scholars whose research brings humanistic perspectives to complex societal challenges and demonstrates the potential to make meaningful contributions to their academic disciplines.

Awardees will be awarded a stipend.

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in one of the following Ph.D. programs:
  • Anthropology
  • Communication
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
• Be an outstanding doctoral student or candidate.
• Be enrolled as a full-time student during the 2026–27 academic year.
• Meet all university fellowship eligibility requirements at the time of award disbursement.

Both incoming and continuing Ph.D. students are eligible for nomination.

Required Application Materials

Departments must submit the following materials:

• Departmental Financial Support Package Letter
  • Describes the financial support offered to the student through their graduate program.
• Department Chair or Graduate Adviser Letter
  • Addresses the student's academic performance and accomplishments.
  • Evaluates their potential for significant contributions to research and/or teaching.
  • Explains how the nominee meets the fellowship eligibility criteria and aligns with the fellowship's purpose.
  • For incoming students, it includes information about undergraduate academic achievement.
• Research Statement (maximum 2 pages, excluding citations)
  • Describes the student's research project.
  • Explains how the work uses humanistic methods to illuminate the culture and context of important societal issues.
  • Discusses the potential impact of the research on the field.
• Admission Materials (for incoming students only)
  • Statement of purpose
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial undergraduate transcripts
• Department Nomination Attestation Form

The Rita L. Atkinson Graduate Fellowship supports outstanding doctoral students conducting interdisciplinary research in the sciences and related fields at UC San Diego. The fellowship is designed to encourage innovative research that integrates perspectives, methods, or expertise from multiple disciplines. The Rita L. Atkinson Graduate Fellowship recognizes doctoral students whose interdisciplinary research bridges multiple fields and has the potential to advance knowledge through innovative collaboration across disciplines.

The fellowship provides:

• A stipend paid over 12 months (four consecutive quarters, including summer)
• Tuition and fee coverage during fall, winter, and spring quarters

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a continuing Ph.D. student at UC San Diego.
• Be engaged in interdisciplinary research in the sciences or related fields.
• Be actively advised by at least two faculty advisors from different disciplines and departments/programs.
• Demonstrate that both advisors play meaningful roles in guiding the interdisciplinary aspects of the research.
• Remain enrolled through the entire fellowship period and not plan to graduate before the final quarter of fellowship funding.

Both domestic and international students are eligible.

Important Notes

• Co-advisors do not need to be formally designated as co-chairs or be members of the dissertation committee.
• Advisors may be from different institutions, provided they represent different disciplines and are actively involved in the student's research.
• Students with only one advisor are not eligible.
• Fellowship recipients may not hold instructional appointments during the fellowship period, except during the summer period between spring and fall terms. Limited research appointments may be approved by exception if they directly support dissertation research.

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong applicants clearly demonstrate:

• A well-integrated interdisciplinary research project.
• Meaningful collaboration across distinct academic disciplines.
• Active mentorship from faculty advisors representing different departments or programs.
• The significance and innovation of their interdisciplinary work.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Statement of Interest (1 page maximum)
  • Describes the interdisciplinary nature of the research.
  • Explains the project(s) the student plans to pursue during the fellowship period.
• Faculty Support Letter
  • Co-signed by at least two faculty advisors and endorsed by the department chair or graduate program.
  • Addresses:
    • Academic performance and achievements
    • Publications, presentations, and other scholarly accomplishments
    • The interdisciplinary nature of the student's research
    • How the nominee meets the fellowship eligibility criteria
• Current Transcript (unofficial transcripts accepted)
• Department Attestation Form

The Dissertation Year Fellowships provide terminal support for outstanding doctoral candidates in the final stages of their Ph.D. research. These fellowships support students who demonstrate strong potential for university teaching and research and who are expected to complete all degree requirements during the fellowship year.

There are three Dissertation Year Fellowship opportunities:

• UC President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship (PDYF)
• Fletcher Jones Dissertation Year Fellowship (FJF)
• Marye Anne Fox Dissertation Year Fellowship (MAF)

All nominees are reviewed together by an interdisciplinary committee. Graduate programs may nominate one student for each fellowship, and nominations must be determined and approved by the student’s graduate program.

Award Benefits

Each Dissertation Year Fellowship includes:

• a stipend for the fellowship year
• Resident tuition and mandatory fees covered by the student’s degree-granting program

Additional benefits:

• PDYF: Includes a $500 travel allowance to support presentation of dissertation research at another UC campus, California State University campus, or independent California university.

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a doctoral student in a Ph.D. program under the jurisdiction of EVC-Academic Affairs.
• Have advanced to candidacy at the time of nomination.
• Be making satisfactory progress toward completing the dissertation during the fellowship year.
• Be projected to complete all Ph.D. requirements by the end of the award year (for example, if the fellowship is awarded for the 2026-27 academic year, the fellow must be projected to complete the fellowship by June 2027)
• Be eligible for student support throughout the award period.
• Be a:
  • U.S. citizen,
  • permanent resident, or
  • student eligible for nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540.

A presentation of dissertation research during the fellowship year is required.

Fellowship-Specific Eligibility

UC President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship (PDYF)

The PDYF supports students who:

• Have experienced educational or economic disadvantage, or
• Conduct research or plan careers focused on issues affecting disadvantaged communities, and
• Demonstrate strong potential and commitment to a career in university teaching and research.

Award:

• $37,500 stipend
• $500 research presentation travel allowance
• Resident tuition and fees covered by the degree-granting program

Fletcher Jones Dissertation Year Fellowship (FJF)

The Fletcher Jones Fellowship supports students who demonstrate financial need, including those who:

• Depend on student loans, or
• Have worked more than 50% employment to finance their education.

Eligible disciplines:

• All General Campus disciplines except Business Management
• Health Sciences disciplines except Medicine

Award:

• $37,500 stipend
• Resident tuition and fees covered by the degree-granting program

Marye Anne Fox Dissertation Year Fellowship (MAF)

The Marye Anne Fox Fellowship recognizes students with highly distinguished academic records.

Award:

• $37,500 stipend
• Resident tuition and fees covered by the degree-granting program

All nomination materials must be submitted by the graduate program and include:

• Student Autobiographical Sketch
• Dissertation Synopsis 
  • Written for a non-technical audience
  • Describes the significance and relevance of the dissertation research
  • For PDYF nominees, includes a brief proposal for presenting research at another California university
• Academic Completion Timeline
  • Includes projected dissertation completion date
• Faculty Advisor Letter of Support
  • Addresses the student’s qualifications and eligibility for the fellowship
  • Discusses academic achievements, research potential, and progress toward completion
  • For PDYF: Includes plans to support the student’s research presentation requirement
  • For Fletcher Jones: Addresses the student’s financial need
• Completed Department Attestation Form
  • Signed by the department/program chair

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

• Clear evidence that they can complete the dissertation within the fellowship year.
• Significant research accomplishments and scholarly potential.
• A compelling dissertation project with broader academic or societal impact.
• Strong commitment to a future career in university teaching and research.
• Alignment with the specific goals of the fellowship for which they are nominated.

This fellowship is typically run in October. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details. 

The Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann created a perpetual charitable trust designated as “The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund” for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants, which must be carried out entirely in the United States of America. The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowships are to be awarded only to candidates who have outstanding undergraduate records, have demonstrated a need for financial assistance, are citizens of the United States of America, are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities in the United States and have received baccalaureate degrees.

Mrs. Liebmann was the daughter of a prominent Armenian intellectual, writer and statesman and was married to one of the owners of a successful American business. She supported students and educational and charitable organizations during her lifetime. Mrs. Liebmann’s primary concern, as expressed in her Will, was to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study. The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are United States citizens.

Fellowships are available to students who: 

• are enrolled in a graduate program and pursuing a graduate degree at a designated institution of higher learning at the time of application. Individuals applying to graduate programs are not qualified candidates.
• pursuing a program of study that includes any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training). The selection committee has a strong preference for supporting scholarly endeavors.
• have an outstanding undergraduate record, must demonstrate financial need, and must be a US citizen. 

Fellowship Award: Stipend $18,000, tuition (no fees) for the academic year

This fellowship is typically run in November. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details. 

The Graduate Research Mentorship Program (GRMP) supports doctoral students in developing advanced research skills through faculty mentorship and dissertation-related research activities. The fellowship is designed to help students make progress toward advancement to candidacy, increase doctoral completion rates, and prepare future faculty and scholars.

Each award includes a stipend, resident tuition, and mandatory fees. Fellowship recipients and their faculty mentors must submit a final report describing progress made toward the goals outlined in the proposed work plan.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible UC San Diego Ph.D. program under the jurisdiction of EVC-Academic Affairs.
• Have completed required coursework but not yet advanced to candidacy.
• Be eligible for support throughout the entire fellowship period.
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualify for a nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540.
• Not have previously received a GRMP fellowship.

Preference is given to students in their second, third, or fourth year of doctoral study.

Applicants must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Have experienced circumstances that created barriers to pursuing graduate education.
• Conduct research focused on cultural, societal, or educational issues affecting educationally disadvantaged communities.
• Demonstrate an intention to use their doctoral degree to serve educationally underrepresented populations.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Student CV
• Faculty mentor CV
• Research Proposal
• Work Plan (1 page maximum) outlining:
  • Goals and timeline for advancement to candidacy
  • How the GRMP fellowship will support these objectives
• Personal Statement 
• Faculty Mentor Letter of Support

This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for doctoral students to strengthen their research skills, receive dedicated faculty mentorship, and make meaningful progress toward their academic and professional goals.

This fellowship is typically run in December. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details.

The UC President’s Pre-Professoriate Fellowship Program (PPPF) is funded by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) to support doctoral students from California Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) who are interested in pursuing careers in higher education and the professoriate.

The program aims to strengthen pathways to faculty careers by providing financial support, professional development opportunities, and resources that help fellows prepare for academic careers. 

Each fellow will receive:

• Stipend for one academic year
• Professional development fund to support activities that prepare and inspire students for careers in the professoriate
• Resident tuition and mandatory fees covered by GEPA during the fellowship period

Professional development funds may be used throughout the remainder of the fellow’s doctoral program and do not need to be spent during the fellowship year.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or AB 540-eligible student (international students are not eligible).
• Be enrolled in an academic Ph.D. program at UC San Diego.
• Have advanced to candidacy before nomination.
• Have earned a bachelor’s or stand-alone master’s degree from a California Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), or:
  • Have transferred from a California Community College designated as an HSI and completed at least 24 semester units (or equivalent).
• Demonstrate exceptional academic and research achievement.
• Have a record of advancing equity and inclusion and a commitment to continuing these efforts throughout their career.
• Demonstrate potential and interest in pursuing a career in the professoriate.

Preference is given to students who are not expected to graduate before the end of the fellowship year.

Note: UC San Diego alumni who earned a bachelor's or master's degree at UC San Diego are eligible, as UC San Diego is recognized as an HSI for this fellowship program.

Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 3 pages)
• Student Statement (maximum 1 page) describing:
  • Contributions to equity and inclusion
  • Commitment to advancing these efforts throughout their career
• Two Faculty Letters of Support
  • One letter must be from the faculty advisor
  • Letters should address:
    • Academic performance and research potential
    • Likelihood of pursuing a faculty or professoriate career
• Department Attestation Form

The Friends of the International Center (FIC) Graduate Fellowship supports graduate students whose academic work has an international component and/or global relevance and who demonstrate a commitment to promoting international understanding, cross-cultural engagement, and community building.

Established by the Friends of the International Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting international education and fostering global connections at UC San Diego, the fellowship continues their mission of supporting students whose work contributes to a more interconnected world.

Each graduate program may nominate up to two eligible students.

One fellowship may be designated as the Ruth Newmark Award, recognizing the student who best exemplifies service to others and/or demonstrates exceptional commitment to building community.

Award Benefits

• $2,000 fellowship award
• Recognition as a student scholar whose work advances international understanding and global engagement

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees must:

• Be enrolled full-time in a UC San Diego graduate degree program leading to the highest terminal academic degree in their discipline.
• Be enrolled in a full-time program of study or research during the award year.
• Have a distinguished academic record.
• Conduct academic work that:
  • Advances understanding of topics with an international component, and/or
  • Demonstrates global relevance.
• Demonstrate a history of service and/or volunteerism, particularly activities that promote:
  • Cross-cultural understanding
  • International friendship
  • Inclusive communities

Additional requirements:

• Ph.D. and D.M.A. students: Must have advanced to candidacy by the nomination deadline.
• M.F.A. students: Must have a clearly defined thesis or final project by the nomination deadline.
• Students of all citizenships and nationalities are eligible.

Ineligible programs include:

• School of Medicine M.D.
• Skaggs School of Pharmacy Pharm.D. and M.S. in Drug Development & Product Management
• Rady School of Management M.B.A.
• School of Global Policy and Strategy M.P.I.A.

Previous recipients of the Friends of the International Center Fellowship are not eligible for re-award.

Required Application Materials

• Faculty Letter of Support
  • Written by a UC San Diego faculty member and endorsed by the graduate program/department chair.
  • Should address:
    • Graduate performance and academic achievements
    • Potential for future research or artistic contributions
    • Current financial support, including departmental fellowships and/or external funding
    • Financial need
    • Contributions to promoting international friendship, understanding, and cooperation at UC San Diego
• Student Statement (2 pages maximum)
  • Describes:
    • Qualifications for the fellowship
    • Graduate research and career goals
    • Financial need
    • Past and planned contributions to international understanding and community engagement at UC San Diego
    • Intended use of fellowship funds
• Student CV
  • Include current email and mailing address.
• Current Transcript
  • Unofficial transcripts accepted.

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong applicants will demonstrate:

• Research or creative work with meaningful international or global impact.
• Academic excellence and promise within their discipline.
• A sustained commitment to fostering international connections, cross-cultural understanding, and inclusive communities.
• Evidence of service, mentorship, volunteerism, or efforts to support and engage others.

This fellowship is typically run in December. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details. 

The Jean Fort Dissertation Prize honors the legacy of Jean Fort, UC San Diego’s longtime Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. The prize recognizes a recent Ph.D. graduate whose dissertation demonstrates exceptional academic excellence, intellectual breadth, and the potential to make a significant contribution to issues of humanitarian or public concern.

Each year, one recipient is selected to receive a $1,500 prize.

Each graduate program or department may nominate one candidate.

Award

• $1,500 prize
• Recognition for outstanding doctoral research and scholarly achievement

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees must:

• Be currently enrolled
• Receive their Ph.D. degree from UC San Diego by the end of the academic year of the award year
• Have completed a dissertation demonstrating exceptional scholarly merit and broad intellectual impact.

Not eligible:

• Doctoral alumni who graduated during a previous academic year.
• Students planning to complete their degree after June of the current academic year (including Summer graduates). Those students may be nominated during the following award cycle.

Required Nomination Materials

Departments must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Unofficial Transcript
• Letter of Recommendation
  • Endorsed by the department chair or program director
  • Addresses the nominee’s scholarly accomplishments and qualifications for the prize
• Dissertation Summary (1–2 pages)
  • Written in a clear and accessible format
  • Describes the dissertation research and its significance
  • If applicable, explains how the research contributes to addressing a humanitarian issue or matter of public concern
  • Must use a readable 12-point font (e.g., Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, or Georgia)
• Department Attestation Form
  • Signed by the department chair or graduate coordinator

What Makes a Competitive Nomination?

Strong nominees typically demonstrate:

• Exceptional academic achievement and scholarly excellence.
• Intellectual breadth that extends beyond a narrow disciplinary focus.
• Research that advances knowledge in meaningful ways.
• Potential to contribute to addressing important humanitarian, social, public, or global challenges through their scholarship.

This fellowship is typically run in February. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details. 

UC’s Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students who are also enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. This plan applies to undergraduate and graduate students.

To qualify for the Native American Opportunity Plan, students must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a current or newly admitted University of California graduate student.
• Be classified as a California resident for tuition purposes.
• Be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and/or Alaska Native tribe and provide acceptable documentation of enrollment.
• Be enrolled in a state-supported graduate degree program. Certificate programs, self-supporting graduate programs (e.g., Executive MBA programs), and extension programs do not qualify.

GEPA will reach out directly to new and continuing students who might be eligible. 

The Kenneth & Dorothy Hill Fellowship provides support for doctoral graduate students whose work centrally entails research in the Special Collections at the UC San Diego Library. 

Fellowship recipients will receive one quarter's worth of funding, consisting of a stipend of $12,000 and tuition and fees to be paid over one quarter. 

Eligibility Requirements

Doctoral students whose work centrally entails research in the Special Collections of the UC San Diego Library, and who have used the Special Collections for their research within the 12 months preceding the fellowship's nomination deadline, are eligible for this award. Eligible students will be notified by GEPA of the opportunity to apply based on usage records from the Special Collections.

Required Nomination Materials

• CV (2 pages max.)
• Research statement (3 pages max.) describing:
  • Brief overview of dissertation project (or proposed project);
  • Research performed thus far in the Special Collections and how it has informed your doctoral work;
  • Proposal/description of how applicant will continue to make use of Special Collections materials to support their doctoral research.
• Two letters of support from UC San Diego faculty

This fellowship is typically run in March. Please reach out to your home department graduate coordinator for more details. 

The Schmidt Science Fellows Program supports exceptional Ph.D. students and recent graduates who are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research and becoming future leaders in science and society. The program is designed for researchers who want to pivot into a new field of study during their postdoctoral training, expanding beyond the discipline of their Ph.D.

UC San Diego may nominate up to seven applicants to compete for this prestigious international fellowship.

Fellows receive funding to conduct a postdoctoral research project in a field different from their doctoral research area, while participating in leadership development, mentorship, and a global network of interdisciplinary scientists.

Award Benefits

Selected Schmidt Science Fellows receive:

• $110,000 annual stipend for up to two years of postdoctoral research
• Funding to conduct research at an approved institution anywhere in the world
• Participation in the Science Leadership Program, including leadership training and professional development
• Personalized mentorship from internationally recognized scientific leaders
• Membership in a lifelong global community of interdisciplinary researchers
• Flexibility to pursue ambitious, innovative, and high-risk research projects

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be completing a Ph.D. in:
  • Astronomy
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Earth Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Computing
• Be expected to complete all Ph.D. requirements by the end of the academic year of the award 
• Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing an interdisciplinary research pivot during a postdoctoral appointment.

Typically not eligible:

• Students in clinical-track MD-Ph.D. or veterinary-Ph.D. programs.
• Students pursuing Ph.D.s in social sciences, political science, or economics.
• Applicants proposing a research pivot into social sciences, political science, or economics.

What Makes a Competitive Applicant?

The strongest applicants demonstrate:

• Outstanding academic achievement and research excellence.
• A genuine commitment to interdisciplinary science.
• Interest in moving into a substantially different research field during postdoctoral training.
• Creativity, curiosity, and willingness to take scientific risks.
• Strong leadership potential and the ability to inspire and collaborate with others.
• A commitment to using science to address important societal and global challenges.
• A record of successful collaboration across diverse teams and perspectives.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Letter of Recommendation
  • From the primary Ph.D. advisor or principal investigator (PI)
  • Should address the fellowship selection criteria and the applicant's potential for interdisciplinary leadership and research
• Personal Statement (maximum 2 pages)
  • Discusses:
    • Interest in pursuing research outside the applicant’s Ph.D. discipline
    • Commitment to interdisciplinary science and scientific risk-taking
    • Collaborative experiences and teamwork
    • Leadership potential
    • Goals for creating positive societal impact through science
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 2 pages)
• Department Attestation Form

This fellowship is typically run in March. Please reach out to your graduate coordinator for more details. 

The Guru Gobind Singh Fellowship was established through a gift from Karam Singh Maughan to support graduate students from designated regions of India and Pakistan pursuing advanced study at the University of California.

Named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh, the fellowship supports outstanding students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and a commitment to using their education to benefit their home country after completing their degree.

UC San Diego may nominate one student to compete for this University of California-wide fellowship.

Award Benefits

• $36,000 stipend award 
• Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST), if applicable, may be supported by the nominating campus
• Recognition as the UC San Diego nominee for a prestigious UC systemwide fellowship

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a graduate student from an eligible region of India or Pakistan
• Be committed to returning to their country of origin after completing their degree.
• Not have previously engaged in graduate study at another U.S. institution before attending UC San Diego.
• Be enrolled in a graduate degree program at UC San Diego.

Students at any stage of graduate study may be nominated.

Preference is given to students who:

• Already hold a master's degree.
• Have advanced to the dissertation stage of their graduate program.
• Have exhausted or are nearing the end of traditional sources of graduate student funding.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic achievement and scholarly excellence.
• Strength of recommendation letters.
• Potential contributions to the student's home country following degree completion.
• Overall quality of nomination materials.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Up to Three Letters of Recommendation
  • One letter must be from the student's faculty sponsor.
• University Transcripts
• Supporting Documentation (optional)
  • Any materials that strengthen the nomination.
• Academic Status Information
  • Whether the student has advanced to candidacy.
  • Expected degree completion date.
• Statement of Future Plans
  • Describes how the student intends to use their graduate education to contribute to their home country after graduation.

This fellowship is typically run in May.

The Google Ph.D. Fellowship Program recognizes exceptional doctoral students conducting innovative research in computer science and related fields. The fellowship is designed to support emerging researchers whose work has the potential to make significant contributions to their discipline and society.

Google Fellows are selected based on the quality and impact of their research, academic achievements, and leadership potential. In addition to financial support, fellows are paired with a Google Research Mentor and become part of a global community of leading researchers.

UC San Diego may nominate up to three students for the fellowship competition.

Award Benefits

Recipients receive:

• Up to two years of fellowship funding
• Full coverage of:
  • Tuition and fees
  • Health insurance
  • Books and educational expenses
• A stipend for:
  • Living expenses
  • Travel
  • Research-related equipment
• Mentorship from a Google researcher

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time in a Ph.D. program at UC San Diego.
• Have completed graduate coursework requirements before the fellowship begins in the Fall
• Remain enrolled full-time in their Ph.D. program throughout the fellowship period.
• Conduct research in a field aligned with Google's eligible research areas.
• Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and research potential.

Not eligible:

• Google employees and members of their household.
• Students already receiving a comparable industry-sponsored fellowship.
• Previous Google Ph.D. Fellowship recipients.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Quality, originality, and impact of the research proposal.
• Alignment of the proposed research with Google's research priorities and AI Principles.
• Academic accomplishments and scholarly achievements.
• Leadership potential and contributions to their academic or broader community.
• Potential impact of the research on the field and society.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Academic Transcripts
  • Current and previous academic records (unofficial transcripts accepted)
• Primary Advisor CV
  • Maximum 1 page
• Student CV
  • Include publications, research accomplishments, and links to professional websites if applicable
• Research/Dissertation Proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
  • Describes current research and future research directions
  • Explains significance, innovation, and potential impact
• Essay #1 (350 words maximum)
  • Describes:
    • Desired impact of the research
    • Importance of the research area
    • Personal, educational, and professional experiences that influenced research interests
• Essay #2 (350 words maximum)
  • Describes a leadership experience and its impact
  • May include leadership through mentoring, project management, community engagement, conflict resolution, caregiving, or other meaningful contributions
• Two to Three Letters of Recommendation
  • At least one letter must be from the student's thesis advisor

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong applicants typically demonstrate:

• Innovative and technically rigorous research.
• Clear alignment between their work and Google's research interests.
• Evidence of significant research contributions and scholarly impact.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and mentorship experiences.
• A compelling vision for how their research will advance the field and benefit society.

This fellowship is typically run in May.

The Hartwell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers pursuing innovative biomedical research with the potential to benefit children in the United States. The fellowship is intended to help promising scientists and engineers establish themselves during the initial stages of their postdoctoral research careers.

UC San Diego may nominate one candidate for this highly competitive national fellowship.

The Hartwell Foundation prioritizes cutting-edge, applied biomedical research that addresses unmet clinical needs or strategic challenges in biomedical science. Preference is given to projects with a clear and compelling potential benefit to children's health.

Award Benefits

• Two years of postdoctoral fellowship support
• Funding to support advanced research training under the supervision of a qualified mentor
• Recognition as a Hartwell Foundation Fellow

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be in the early stages of their research career development.
• Conduct research in a science or engineering field related to biomedical science.
• Work under the supervision of an approved faculty mentor.
• Commit to completing the full two-year fellowship period.

Additional requirements:

• Research must have a clear connection to improving health outcomes for children in the United States.
• Fellowship funds may not be used to complete or extend clinical training.
• The primary mentor cannot be a currently funded Hartwell Investigator.
• Fellows must begin their postdoctoral appointment no later than November 1 of the award year.
• Previous Hartwell Fellows are not eligible to apply again.

Current postdoctoral scholars may apply, provided their proposed training plan reflects the intended two-year fellowship period.

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong applicants typically demonstrate:

• Outstanding potential as an independent biomedical researcher.
• Research that addresses an important unmet need in pediatric health or biomedical science.
• Innovative and translational approaches with potential real-world impact.
• A well-defined training plan that will significantly advance their research career.
• Strong mentorship and a clear pathway toward future scientific leadership.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Mentor Letter of Support (maximum 2 pages)
  • Describes:
    • Applicant qualifications and potential
    • Eligibility for the fellowship
    • Current appointment status
    • Quality of the proposed mentorship and training environment
• Project Statement (maximum 2 pages)
  • Must be formatted in:
    • Times New Roman, 12-point font
    • One-inch margins
  • Should include:
    • Proposed fellowship start and end dates
    • Summary of the proposed research training
    • Relevant prior training experiences
    • Career goals
    • Description of how the two-year fellowship period will support professional development
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or NIH-Style Biosketch (maximum 5 pages)
  • Must clearly indicate:
    • Ph.D. award date
    • Postdoctoral start date (or anticipated start date)

The Hartwell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity for emerging biomedical researchers whose work has the potential to improve children's health through innovative scientific discovery and translational research.

This fellowship is typically run in May. Please reach out to your graduate coordinator for further details. 

The ARCS Scholar Fellowship supports outstanding doctoral students in science, engineering, mathematics, and health-related fields who demonstrate exceptional promise for advancing research and innovation. Funded by the ARCS Foundation, the fellowship recognizes students with the potential to make significant contributions to scientific discovery and the intellectual and material welfare of society.

The fellowship is intended to supplement, not replace, existing support provided by the student's department, program, advisor, or other funding sources.

Award Benefits

• Stipend fellowship award
• Renewable for up to three years, contingent upon:
  • Continued academic excellence
  • Full-time enrollment
  • Available funding

Note: The ARCS Fellowship does not include tuition or fee payments.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen (naturalized citizens are eligible; permanent residents are not eligible).
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
• Be enrolled full-time during the entire academic year.
• Be entering their second, third, or fourth year of doctoral study during the award year
• Not in their first year or final year of study.
• Ideally have at least three years remaining in their doctoral program.

*Clinical Psychology JDP students whose primary faculty advisor is affiliated with SDSU must apply through SDSU; students whose primary faculty advisor is affiliated with UC San Diego must apply through UC San Diego. Please note that the calls for nominations and submission deadlines vary between institutions.

Applicants must be enrolled in one of the eligible doctoral programs, including fields such as:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences
• Bioengineering and Bioinformatics
• Biostatistics
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Data Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• NanoEngineering
• Neurosciences
• Physics
• Public Health (Epidemiology, Global Health, Health Behavior)
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• Structural Engineering
• Clinical Psychology (eligibility depends on advisor affiliation)

Selection Criteria

Selection is based primarily on:

• Excellence in research and scholarship.
• Exceptional promise for future scientific achievement.
• Potential to make significant contributions to science, technology, and society.
• Academic accomplishments, leadership, service, and professional engagement.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Faculty Recommendation Letter
  • Written by a UC San Diego faculty member
  • Co-signed by the graduate program chair
• Expanded Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
  • Includes:
    • Academic achievements
    • Short abstracts of publications, presentations, and speaking engagements
    • Honors, awards, leadership activities, service, and extracurricular involvement
• Unofficial UC San Diego Transcript
• Department Attestation Form

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong applicants typically demonstrate:

• Outstanding academic performance and research accomplishments.
• Significant potential for future scientific contributions.
• Active engagement in leadership, service, mentoring, or professional activities.
• A sustained record of excellence that reflects both scholarly achievement and future promise as a researcher and innovator.

This fellowship is typically run in June.

The Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship recognizes outstanding Ph.D. students conducting cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The program supports emerging leaders in computer science and engineering who have demonstrated exceptional research accomplishments and show strong potential to advance the field through innovation, collaboration, and leadership.

In addition to financial support, Apple Scholars receive mentorship from Apple researchers and become part of a community of leading AI and ML researchers.

Award Benefits

Recipients receive support for two academic years, including:

• Full tuition and fees (including enrollment fees, health insurance, and books)
• Up to $40,000 per year for living expenses and related educational costs
• Stipend for research-related travel and professional development
• Mentorship from an Apple researcher

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time in a Ph.D. program at the time of nomination.
• Expect to remain enrolled through the end of the academic year of the award year
• Be entering the final two to three years of their Ph.D. program 
• Conduct research relevant to AI, machine learning, or related fields.
• Not hold another industry-sponsored full fellowship during the Apple Fellowship period 

Not eligible:

• Students in the first year of their Ph.D. program during the nomination cycle 

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Strength, originality, and technical quality of the research proposal.
• Impact of the applicant's research contributions to date.
• Potential to advance the field of AI and machine learning.
• Leadership, collaboration, and engagement within the research community.
• Alignment of the proposed research with Apple's areas of interest.
• Unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions the nominee brings to the field.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Publication List
  • Includes research experience, publications, awards, and professional accomplishments.
• Research Abstract (maximum 200 words)
  • Concise summary of the research project and its significance.
• Research Statement (maximum 4 pages, including citations)
  • Describes:
    • Previous research accomplishments
    • Research goals for the next two years
    • Research hypothesis or key questions
    • Expected contributions and impact
  • Should be written in a clear and readable format.
• Two Letters of Recommendation
  • One letter must be from the student's current advisor.
  • Maximum one page per letter.
• Link to Most Recent Published Work (optional)
• Estimated Tuition and Fees
  • Includes tuition, enrollment fees, health insurance, books, and other required educational expenses for the academic year.
• Department Attestation Form

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong applicants typically demonstrate:

• Outstanding research accomplishments in AI, machine learning, or related fields.
• A clear and innovative research vision with potential for significant impact.
• Evidence of leadership, collaboration, and engagement within the research community.
• A strong publication record or other meaningful scholarly contributions.
• Research that aligns with emerging challenges and opportunities in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

This fellowship is typically run in Spring. 

The Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS), in partnership with ProQuest, sponsors four prestigious regional awards recognizing outstanding master's theses, dissertations, and creative projects. These awards highlight exceptional scholarship, innovation, creativity, and research impact across a wide range of disciplines.

UC San Diego may submit one nominee per award category, selected through a campus review process.

Award Benefits

Recipients receive:

• $1,000 cash award
• Certificate of Award
• Travel support to attend the WAGS Annual Conference and Awards Luncheon

About the Award

This award recognizes master's or doctoral research that demonstrates the development or application of innovative technology to address significant challenges or advance knowledge within a field.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have successfully defended and submitted their master's thesis or doctoral dissertation 
• Demonstrate how their research developed or utilized innovative technology to solve a major problem.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Originality of the research
• Scope and significance of the work
• Contribution to the discipline or profession
• Overall quality of the nomination materials

Required Application Materials

• Non-Technical Research Summary (1,000–1,500 words)
• Research Abstract (maximum 10 double-spaced pages)
• Two Nomination Letters
  • One from the department head or major professor
  • One from an additional faculty member
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume (maximum 5 pages)

About the Award

This award recognizes exceptional master's thesis research in:

• Biological Sciences
• Life Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Engineering

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have completed a formal master's thesis (project-only degrees are not eligible).
• Have successfully defended and submitted their thesis

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Originality
• Significance and impact
• Contribution to the discipline
• Quality of presentation

Required Application Materials

• Non-Technical Thesis Summary (1,000–1,500 words)
• Research Abstract (maximum 10 pages)
• Two Faculty Nomination Letters
• CV or Resume (maximum 5 pages)

About the Award

This award recognizes outstanding master's thesis research in:

• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Education
• Business

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have completed a formal master's thesis.
• Have successfully defended and submitted their thesis

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Originality
• Scope and significance
• Contribution to the discipline
• Overall quality of the nomination materials

Required Application Materials

• Non-Technical Thesis Summary (1,000–1,500 words)
• Research Abstract (maximum 10 pages)
• Two Faculty Nomination Letters
• CV or Resume (maximum 5 pages)

About the Award

This award recognizes exceptional scholarly and creative achievement in the creative, visual, and performing arts. Eligible works may include traditional theses, creative projects, portfolios, exhibitions, performances, films, or other artistic works completed as part of a master's degree.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must have completed one of the following:

• Formal written thesis
• Major capstone paper
• Creative work (e.g., poetry collection, portfolio, exhibition)
• Performance, audio, video, or digital project

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Originality
• Artistic and aesthetic merit
• Technical execution
• Potential for future publication, exhibition, performance, or broader impact

Required Application Materials

• Non-Technical Summary (1,000–1,500 words)
  • Describes the project, artistic approach, influences, and significance
• Abstract or Project Sample (maximum 10 pages)
• Two Faculty Nomination Letters
• CV or Resume (maximum 5 pages)

What Makes a Competitive Nomination?

Across all WAGS/ProQuest award categories, strong nominees typically demonstrate:

• Exceptional originality and creativity.
• Significant scholarly, technological, or artistic contributions.
• Clear impact within their discipline or field.
• The ability to communicate complex work to a broad academic audience.
• Strong faculty support and evidence of future promise.

This fellowship is typically run in late summer. 

The Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar Award supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers in neuroscience as they transition to independent academic careers. The program is designed to help exceptional early-career scientists advance to faculty positions and establish research programs that can compete successfully for independent funding.

UC San Diego may nominate one postdoctoral scholar for this prestigious national award.

Award Benefits

The award provides:

• $200,000 per year for two years (awarded to the sponsoring institution)
• Funding may be used for:
  • Salary support
  • Research and laboratory expenses
  • Other project-related costs
• Under certain circumstances, funding may be transferred to support the scholar's new faculty appointment
• Up to 15% indirect costs may be included within the award budget

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Be employed in a postdoctoral research position at a U.S. medical school, research institute, academic institution, or hospital.
• Have completed at least 3 years but no more than 6 years of postdoctoral training by July 1, 2026.
• Conduct research focused on neuroscience.
• Commit a minimum of 75% effort to the proposed research project.
• Be preparing for a transition to an independent academic research career.

Each nominee must propose a unique neuroscience research project.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Excellence and impact of prior research accomplishments.
• Scientific creativity and innovation.
• Significance of the proposed neuroscience research.
• Potential to become an independent research leader.
• Strength and feasibility of the proposed research plan.
• Overall promise for a successful academic career.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Application Form
  • Includes:
    • Project title
    • Project summary (maximum 250 words)
• Career and Background Statement (maximum 350 words)
  • Describes:
    • Academic and research background
    • Qualifications for carrying out the proposed project
    • Career goals and future plans
• Research Proposal (maximum 4 pages)
  • Includes:
    • Introduction and background
    • Research methods and approach
    • Expected outcomes
    • Significance and impact of the research
• Bibliography
• NIH Biosketch (maximum 5 pages)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Proposed Budget and Budget Justification
  • Prepared using the NIH G300 budget format

What Makes a Competitive Application?

Strong applicants typically demonstrate:

• A distinguished record of postdoctoral research accomplishments.
• Innovative neuroscience research with the potential for significant scientific impact.
• Clear readiness to transition to an independent faculty position.
• A compelling research vision and a well-developed plan for establishing an independent laboratory.
• Strong support from mentors and institutional leadership.

This fellowship is typically run in early Fall.