Funding, Fellowships
Support
We are committed to helping students find funding at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and are available to help in any way we can. See below for funding sources particular to each program, along with a section about how to get grants and fellowships.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid early in the process to find out about aid and financial support: UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office
The Department encourages and supports undergrad research in our labs.
Program Name | Description |
| Amgen Scholars | Amgen Scholars at the University of California, Berkeley participates in ten weeks of intensive research in the sciences. Each student has direct participation on a research project in a faculty member's laboratory and directly with an in-lab mentor, a postdoctoral scholar and/or a graduate student. In the lab, students have the opportunity to participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club, and other lab activities. UC Berkeley's program offers students the opportunity to learn from leading scientists working on cutting-edge research across several disciplines including; various areas within the biological sciences, bioengineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, chemistry, and chemical biology. Scholars not only engage in laboratory research during the summer, but also attend weekly seminars on a broad range of scientific subjects, workshops on graduate admissions, preparing poster and oral presentations, networking events, and career opportunities in the sciences. |
| Biology Scholars Program | The Biology Scholars Program (BSP) at UC Berkeley is a program that challenges the "by the numbers" popular view (e.g., SATs and high school GPAs as good predictors of success) about who can and should do science. Over the past 20 years, of the 2080 BSP graduates, 60% have been underrepresented minorities (African American, Hispanic, and American Indian), 70% women, and 80% from low-income backgrounds and/or the first in their family to attend college. |
| Leadership Alliance | The Alliance seeks to create a core of outstanding leaders and role models for coming generations by providing excellent educational opportunities through its activities and initiatives. These programs include undergraduate internships and mentoring; graduate support and fellowships; faculty development opportunities, and research exchanges. |
| Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) | The goal of the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC U-STAR) Program at the University of California, Berkeley is to increase the participation in research of undergraduates from low-income, first-generation, and ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and to prepare them to become innovative and socially responsible scientist/scholars who will be leaders in their fields. |
| National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) | This program is designed to expose participating students to core Molecular, Cell, Developmental, Evolutionary, and Ecosystem Biology. The ~30 participating faculty provide a broad range of research options in these areas. They also share a strong commitment to working with undergraduates and promoting diversity in the biosciences community at Berkeley. |
| Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) | The Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research Program (SPUR) program encourages faculty and undergraduate students in the College of Natural Resources to collaborate on research projects by providing a grant to support their joint project. The funding for this program is generously donated by CNR alumni, and is offered in the summer, fall, and spring terms. |
| UC Faculty and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Initiative | Through the UC-HBCU Initiative, the Office of the President encourages UC faculty to actively engage in collaboration and cooperation with faculty and students at HBCUs. Such efforts serve to strengthen and enrich our mission of teaching, research and public service. |
| Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) | The Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) is designed to involve Berkeley undergraduates more deeply in the research life of the University. The Program provides opportunities for you to work with faculty on the cutting edge research projects for which Berkeley is world-renowned. Working closely with faculty, you will deepen your knowledge and skills in areas of special interest, while experiencing what it means to be part of an intellectual community engaged in research. |
Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research Program, administered by the College of Natural Resources with funding from CNR alumni.
Graduate Students
Full Funding
The Department provides support for graduate students for five years, paying fees and a yearly stipend ($36,000 for 2018-2019). Out-of-state tuition is paid for the first year only; students are expected to become California residents after the first year. During the second year, the Department supports students as Graduate Student Researchers (who carry out specific projects in faculty laboratories) or as Graduate Student Instructors. Faculty thesis research advisors provide financial support (stipend and fees) for the final three years.
International students who hold neither dual citizenship in the United States nor Permanent Resident status cannot become residents of California. Accordingly, the students' research advisors must pay out-of-state tuition for the third through the final year.
Graduate Fellowships
Although we guarantee support, students are encouraged to apply for all applicable fellowships to defray fees and stipends. Students automatically compete for UC Berkeley-sponsored fellowships (University Fellowship Competition) when submitting the university application. The National Science Foundation's Graduate Fellowship Program and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Predoctoral Fellowship Program in the Biological Sciences have served as the main sources of extramural support for graduate students in the past.
For an estimated budget of student costs please visit the university Financial Aid office at students.berkeley.edu/finaid.
UC Berkeley Fellowships and Awards
On-campus awards, departmental nomination required.
An excellent source for fellowship searches.
Center for Emerging & Neglected Diseases (CEND) Fellowships
Fellowships provided through CEND support several levels of trainees, including undergraduates, doctoral degree candidates, and postdoctoral fellows, in their pursuit of research related to emerging and neglected infectious diseases.
UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office
Other excellent extramural fellowship sources:
Fellows Initiative Natural Sciences (FINS)
NSF-Graduate Research fellowship program
Ruth Kirschstein NRSA Pre-doctoral Fellowship
USDA NIFA AFRI Pre-doctoral Fellowship
NASA Harriett Jenkins Fellowship
Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants (DDIG)
Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs
California Science and Technology Policy Fellowships
National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG)
DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program
Why Give?
Money from the PMB Graduate Student Support Fund goes directly to our students and is used to help pay for their education. Your support will help ensure that our department's student funding remains competitive so that we are able to recruit and retain the very best students into our program
