Promote Graduate Student Diversity

For years, UC Davis’ graduate programs in the life and environmental sciences have attracted some of the most talented aspiring scientists in the world. However, these programs, like those across major research universities, historically have failed to recruit students from marginalized backgrounds. To address this challenge, in 2011, the University of California established the UC-Historically Black College and University (UC-HBCU) Graduate Admissions Pathways Initiative. This initiative supports an immersive summer research experience for HBCU students in partnership with faculty at UC campuses to provide them with both experience and exposure to UC programs and faculty. UC Davis has been successful in capitalizing on this initiative, with a marked increase in talented and diverse students who enroll in our PhD programs in the life and environmental sciences.

However, too often, other exceptional applicants must enroll at institutions that provide sustainable and stable funding packages that allows them to better meet their basic needs. We can do better!

To address this disparity and promote greater equity in graduate education for historically underrepresented students, we aim to introduce a new initiative to provide fellowships to these students. By doing so, we will help to ensure that their financial needs are met and enhance recruiting and retaining exceptional talent. We seek to foster a diverse and inclusive intellectual community at UC Davis, where students of all backgrounds, especially those who are financially disadvantaged, can thrive and make invaluable contributions to the fields of life and environmental sciences.

To help launch this effort, anonymous donors have stepped up to match all gifts up to $5,000 total from this Crowdfunding campaign. These fellowships will be awarded at admission and distributed in the summer following the student’s first year of PhD study.  Thank you for your consideration.