Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP)

Entering students pursuing terminal or professional master’s degrees or the JD who meet the diversity criteria below are encouraged to apply.

The diversity of the people of California has been the source of innovative ideas and creative accomplishments throughout the state’s history into the present. Diversity – a defining feature of California’s past, present, and future – refers to the variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and geographic region, and more. Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement | Board of Regents

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be nominated by their home department
  • U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented students who qualify for nonresident supplemental tuition exemptions under AB 540
  • PhD, DrPH, DEnv, DMA, MD or DDS degrees are not eligible
Fellows may not work in the first term of the fellowship

Amount

Award Amount

  • One year of funding from the Division of Graduate Education
  • $25,000 stipend + fees/tuition + non-resident supplemental tuition (if applicable
    • Fall Quarter: $8,334 financial support for living expenses, tuition/fees, health insurance, nonresident supplemental tuition (if applicable), provided by the Division of Graduate Education.
    • Winter Quarter: $8,334 financial support for living expenses/salary in the form of a teaching/research assistantship or award, plus tuition/fees, health insurance, nonresident supplemental tuition (if applicable), provided by your department (financial support for living expenses/salary amount effective 2025-2026).
    • Spring Quarter: $8,334 financial support for living expenses, tuition/fees, health insurance, nonresident supplemental tuition (if applicable), provided by the Division of Graduate Education.
  • If awardee is in a professional degree program, the professional degree supplemental tuition is not provided by this award
Awardees may not work in the first term of the award

Apply

How to Apply

  • The deadline is the same as the deadline for your admissions application. Contact your prospective home department for any exceptions.
  • Review the GOP Application Instructions and complete the appropriate sections within the online admissions application, including the Personal Statement.