UC–HBCU Initiative Fellowship

The University of California Office of the President (UCOP), the UCLA Division of Graduate Education, and the student’s home department/program at UCLA collaborate to offer five-year funding packages for entering PhD students as part of the University of California–Historically Black Colleges and Universities (UC–HBCU) Initiative Fellowship. Awardees must have been participants in an eligible UC–HBCU summer program. They must also be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, international students or undocumented students who qualify for nonresident supplemental tuition exemptions under AB 540.

The award provides full tuition and fees (and nonresident supplemental tuition if applicable) plus annual  financial support for living expenses to match the financial support amount that is provided to students in their respective academic programs. The distribution of the funding is as follows (effective for the Fall 2024 cohort):

Year 1: UCOP (financial support + tuition/fees)
Year 2: Department (financial support or teaching/research assistantship + tuition/fees)
Year 3: Department (financial support or teaching/research assistantship + tuition/fees)
Year 4: Division of Graduate Education (financial support + tuition/fees)
Year 5: Division of Graduate Education (financial support + tuition/fees

The funding provided for years 2 and 3 must be departmental funding. Outside sources are not considered part of the commitment.

UCOP also provides a one-time $3,000 living supplement/transition award in year 1.

UCOP also provides a $5,000 award for professional development activities. This award can be activated at any time during the five-year award period.

UCOP will also cover the expenses for Awardees to attend the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship annual fall meeting twice during their PhD program.

Interested individuals should contact their prospective home department/program staff Graduate Student Advisor/Student Affairs Officer.