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–Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees program. Awardees must have been participants in UC LEADS during their undergraduate program. They must also be either 1) U.S. citizens; 2) permanent residents; or 3) 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:

Year 1: UCOP (financial support + tuition/fees)
Year 2: Department (financial support or teaching/research assistantship + tuition/fees)
Year 3: UCOP (financial support or teaching/research assistantship + tuition/fees)
Year 4: Department (financial support or teaching/research assistantship + tuition/fees)
Year 5: Division of Graduate Education (financial support + tuition/fees
Year 6: Division of Graduate Education (financial support + tuition/fees

The funding provided for years 2 and 4 must be departmental funding. This funding can come in the form of an award or employment as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or a Teaching Assistant (TA). Outside sources do not count toward meeting the departmental requirement.

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 six-year award period.

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