Grad Student Opportunities

• UC Alianza MX - Research Stays in Mexico - Apps Due 5/9

  Research Stays in Mexico

  UC Alianza MX is pleased to announce the 2025 call for applications for Short-Term Research Stays in Mexico for UC Graduate Students. Through this call, UC Alianza MX will select applications for funding to cover living expenses, travel, and other related expenses for up to three months, allowing students to accomplish specific laboratory, library, or field research at partner institutions in Mexico. Students must engage with a local host institution to advance their research and academic development and must complete their stays in Mexico between September 2025 and August 2026.

   

  Since 2023, this program has provided funding support to 46 UC graduate students from 8 different campuses to conduct research in more than 12 different states and Mexico City. We are excited about the level of interest we have received from across the UC system about this opportunity and hope it will continue strengthening collaborative ties with partner institutions in Mexico.

   

  Graduate students from all UC campuses are invited to apply by May 9, 2025. 

• Grad Student CalFresh Workshop and Lunch - May 14th

  Please join the Basic Needs Department and GradSuccess for our Graduate Student CalFresh Hour Workshop & Lunch on Wednesday, May 14th, from 12:00-2:00 pm in HUB 379. During this event, you will have the opportunity to learn about CalFresh benefits, apply for benefits if you're eligible, and connect with graduate student-specific resources from Basic Needs and GradSuccess. If you are among the first 30 attendees to RSVP, you will receive a guaranteed time slot with the CalFresh team and a FREE meal. If you RSVP and do not attend within the first 15 minutes of the workshop, your spot will be given out to attendees on the waitlist. If you RSVP and cannot attend the event, please reach out to basicneeds.gsa@gmail.com to be removed from the list.

   

   

• SciComm@UCR Cross-Disciplinary Conversations Conference - 5/18

  Cross-Disciplinary Conversations Conference

  MAY 18, 2025 - HUB 302

  Four key concepts that all disciplines engage with - Change, Environment, Relationships, and Information. Be a part of our discussion with fellow students and faculty to explore how different fields and minds can interpret and change the world ... one word at a time.

   

  More Information and RSVP Here

   

  Each WORD session will begin with a 15-minute panel discussion featuring four experts across disciplines from humanities, social sciences, STEM, followed by a 30-45-minute small group discussion amongst all attendees.

   

  Event is FREE to attend and lunch will be provided

   

   

  Program sponsors: Sci-Comm@UCR, Center for Ideas and Society, Gluck Fellows Program of the Arts

• The 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Student Program Award Cycle is open
  Fulbright: https://gwc.ucr.edu/fulbright-us-student-program#ucr-workshops-consultations

   
• UC Voice Initiative - Applications Due 6/2

  VOICE Initiative 

   

  I’m pleased to share a unique opportunity from the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. The 2025–2026 VOICE (Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement) Initiative is now accepting applications.

   

  The VOICE Initiative provides up to $5,000 in funding to current UC students, staff, faculty, and administrators who wish to pursue research or programming that explores the intersection of expression, engagement and democratic learning.

   

   

  🗓 Application Deadline: Monday, June 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM PDT

  
   

   

• Max Planck-Weizmann Joint Postdoctoral Program - app due 6/26

  Max Planck — Weizmann Joint Postdoctoral Program

  The Max Planck Society (MPG), based in Germany, and the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS), located in Israel, present an exceptional postdoctoral program that enhances scientific collaboration and encourages interdisciplinary research. This unique initiative offers an extraordinary opportunity for talented researchers to engage in groundbreaking projects, benefit from the vast expertise of two prestigious institutions, and actively contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective disciplines. The program not only facilitates significant research advancements but also fosters a vibrant academic community, enabling participants to build essential professional networks across various scientific fields.

  https://www.weizmann.ac.il/sites/mpg-wis/

  Applications Due June 26, 2025

• Education Abroad Scholarships

  Education Abroad Scholarships

  Did you know that at least 25% of our students get scholarships to study abroad?

  Did you know that applying to multiple scholarships increases your chances of receiving funding?

  Did you know you can get up to $20,000 by applying for scholarships abroad?

  Did you know that the UCR Education Abroad office will help you with your essays? We'll host scholarship essay-writing office hours in Winter 2025 on Zoom (meeting link):

  • Help with Fund for Education Abroad scholarship essays: January 8 at 11:00 a.m.; January 16 at 11:00 a.m.; January 22 at 11:00 a.m.; and January 30 at 11:00 a.m. February 5 deadline!
  • Help with Gilman scholarship essays: February 6 at 10:00 a.m.; February 13 at 2:00 p.m.; February 20 at 10:00 a.m.; and February 27 at 2:00 p.m. March 6 deadline!
  • Help with UCR scholarships (Pollitt Study Abroad Fund, Rose Royal, EA Programs Scholarship) essays: Mondays at 3:00 pm on Zoom -  March 3, March 10, March 24, and March 31. April 1 deadline!

  RSVP here (optional).

  Timing

  If you are studying abroad during the summer, fall, or academic year, you will likely apply between February and April of that year. 

  If you study abroad in the winter, spring, or summer, you will likely apply from September through November. 

  We encourage you to read each scholarship description carefully for eligibility and deadlines. Good luck!

  Sample Essays by UCR Students

  Read sample award-winning scholarship essays written by real UCR students here. Two UCR students shared their Gilman-winning essays, and three shared their Fund for Education Abroad essays.

   

  Highlighted UCR Scholarships

  UCR Education Abroad Programs Scholarship 

  This scholarship supports UCR students participating in any UCR education abroad program. Please apply on MyUCRAbroad before the deadline.

  • Eligibility: Enrolled UCR students without prior study abroad experience. Students majoring in any field of study at UCR can apply for the UCR Education Abroad Scholarship, which is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Preferences for students with financial need, academic achievement (GPA), and under-represented students (e.g., veterans, community college transfer students, first-generation college students, and/or STEM majors). Note: If you are a graduate student, please talk to the UCR Graduate Division about your plans to study abroad and other funding opportunities.
  • Awards: $500 to $1,000.
  • Annual Deadlines:
    • April 1 (for Summer, Fall, and Academic Year programs). 
    • October 1 (for Winter, Spring, and Calendar Year programs).
  • Recommendation Letter: Optional. Not required, but recommended.
  • Essays: One.

  See also these UCR education abroad scholarships:

  • Teresa and Byron Pollitt Endowment for Study Abroad Fund 
  • Highlander Advisory Fund (HAF) Travel Grant

  Questions about this scholarship? Email educationabroad@ucr.edu.
  
  For more information please follow this link: Education Abroad Scholarships | International Affairs

• GSA Conference Travel Grants

  GSA Conference Travel Grants

  The Graduate Student Association (GSA) provides conference travel grants to graduate students in good standing who are currently attending the University of California, Riverside to promote the presentation of original graduate student research done at UC Riverside. 

  Learn More and Apply

• GloCal Health Fellowship - 2026-2027 Call for Applications

  The GloCal Health Fellowship is a 12-month, mentored research fellowship that provides aspiring global health researchers with outstanding interdisciplinary education and training in innovative research designed to improve health for populations around the world. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fogarty International Center (FIC) and the UC Global Health Institute, the GloCal Health Fellowship supports awarded fellows from all 10 UC campuses as well as 22 affiliated sites across 18 countries.   The fellowship is designed for: US doctoral students, professional students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as foreign postdoctoral fellows from affiliated sitesin low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).   A 12-month mentored research fellowship, GloCal Health Fellowship has six principal components: Research project at 1 of 22 LMIC partner sites Mentorship – a strong, interdisciplinary mentored research experience Global health education – online or onsite courses Career development – to attain short-term goals and transition to the next stage 1- to 3-month U.S.-based training and mentoring for LMIC fellows Optional certificate in global health research   Fellowships begin in July 2026 and provide: 12 consecutive months stipend support Health insurance (for U.S. trainees) Modest research funding ($15,000) Travel costs to and from LMIC research site (U.S. trainees) Travel and living costs for U.S.-based time (LMIC trainees) Support for online courses   Questions? Please contact GloCal Health Fellowship Deputy Director: Kimberly Bale (kimberly.bale@ucsf.edu)

  Attend an upcoming informational session on your UC campus!   UC Santa Cruz - Monday, April 21st at 12:00pm (PDT) UC Santa Barbara - Wednesday, April 23rd at 12:00pm (PDT) UC Irvine - Monday, April 28th at 12:00pm (PDT) UC Riverside - Wednesday, April 30th at 12:00pm (PDT) UC Merced - Thursday, May 1st at 12:00pm (PDT)  Light meal will be provided. To register to attend an informational session and receive more details, please complete this form.   Hear from GloCal Fellows

  Learn more and apply!

• 2024 Tax Year Webinars

  The process of filing taxes can be intimidating, so the UC Office of the President (UCOP) has partnered with Ernst and Young, LLC to provide information on tax filing basics for domestic graduate students and post-doctoral scholars. This information will be available until October 15th, 2025 for those who filed for an extension.

  CLICK HERE to access the links to the webinars.

  [International students and scholars, please go to the UCR International Affairs website: Employment and Taxes.]