Mentored Research Award
Deadline: March 2, 2026
UC Berkeley is committed to recognizing and rewarding graduate students’ contributions to a diverse educational environment during their graduate careers and beyond. The purpose of this fellowship award is to assist doctoral students in acquiring sophisticated research skills by working under faculty mentorship on their own pre-dissertation research. Fellows will receive a $32,000 stipend, payment of in-state fees, and a $7,000 summer stipend.
NOTE: The Mentored Research Awards are for doctoral students in academic programs only. Professional programs are not eligible.
To be eligible:
- Student must have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. The student may be undocumented (AB540, Non-AB540 with DACA).
- Student must be making adequate academic progress towards their doctoral degree, as certified by their adviser.
Selection will be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Excellence of the proposed research: originality, methodological rigor, and feasibility of the proposed work during the fellowship period
- Experience of situations or conditions which were an impediment to advancing to graduate study, such as the absence of a family member who attended college; matriculation at a school or schools with poor financial or curricular support; having a disability; or having worked long hours while attending school; or
- Academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal or educational problems as they affect educationally disadvantaged segments of society; or
- Evidence of an intention to use the doctoral degree toward serving educationally underrepresented segments of society; or
- History of academic service advancing equitable access to higher education for individuals who have faced or continue to face economic, social, and/or educational barriers and/or disadvantages in the fields where they are underrepresented; or
- Research interests focusing on underserved populations and understanding issues of racial or gender inequalities, especially in a U.S. context
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not advanced to candidacy and have not received other major fellowships.
Faculty Mentor Responsibilities:
- Discuss academic issues
- Network on behalf of the fellow
- Write letters of recommendation
- Advise on the fellow’s dissertation plans
- Assist the fellow avoid academic obstacles
Fellow Responsibilities Include:
- Participate in at least two workshops related to professional development
- Work with mentor to develop a plan to advance research and enhance professional development
- Accept no employment other than a GSI, AI-GS, GSR, Reader, or Tutor appointment no more than 25% time across the two semesters of funding (e.g., 50% during one of the two semesters or 25% during both). No other positions or appointments may be held.
APPLICATION PROCESS (TWO-STEP process which includes a NOMINATION by the student’s DEPARTMENT):
1. Department Nominator
Submit your student nomination(s) via the GSAO Slate Portal. Students will receive an invitation to apply within 90 minutes of submission of the nomination form. Keep in mind that the student will need additional time to complete and submit their application by the deadline.
Nomination must include:
- A letter from the Department Chair supporting the nomination and confirming the nominee’s eligibility. This letter must also be signed by the department’s Equity Adviser.
- A letter from the Faculty Mentor describing the plans for mentoring the student and past successful experiences in mentoring
2. Student Nominee
If you are selected by your department as a nominee, you will receive an email inviting you to submit an online application by the deadline.
Note: To attain a nomination, inquire with your department regarding its internal competition.
Application must include:
- Personal Statement (1 page) which addresses how the nominee’s background, including financial need, fits within the criteria
- Statement of Academic Research (2 pages) which describes the student’s academic progress to date, the proposed research project, how the research project is critical to the student’s academic career, and the ways in which a Mentored Research Award will help the student achieve their goals
- Unofficial graduate transcript(s)
For more information, contact Gina Farales Blanco by email at ginablanco@berkeley.edu.