Cal NERDS

NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Graduate Fellowship Program

The NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Graduate Fellowship Program (NSF B2D) program was created by NSF (federal funding) to help support a cohort of twelve underrepresented STEM students in their doctoral studies.

Faculty mentors are key to guiding our NERDS
Faculty mentors are key to guiding our NSF B2D Grad Student Fellows

Overview

UC Berkeley’s NSF B2D Fellowship program is connected to the NSF LSAMP network of alliances. Through this program, the NSF seeks to continue its goal of increasing the number of ethnically underrepresented students completing STEM doctoral degrees by offering recipients the opportunity to enroll in STEM graduate program without the financial burden. Typically each B2D fellows receives a $30,000+ fellowship during their first two years, and the cost of the next three years is paid for by the department (contingent upon availability of funding). Other benefits include advising and advocacy, professional development, conference travel, a supportive community, and access to a student center.

NSF B2D Fellow Maribel in her mechanical engineering research lab
NSF B2D Fellow Maribel in her mechanical engineering research lab

If you are interested in learning more about the next NSF B2D opportunity for the UC System you should reach out to our UC LSAMP Statewide Office Professor Emeritus Derek Dunn-Rankin, https://ddr.eng.uci.edu/ or Dr. Pheather Harris, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The 2024-2025 NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Program is at UC Santa Barbara and UC Merced will be the next UC campus applying for this grant for the next cycle.

Additional details about the NSF B2D can be found here: https://lsmrce.org/lsamp/bridge-doctorate.aspx


UC Berkeley NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Cohort (2012-2021), all 12 earned STEM Graduate Degrees
UC Berkeley NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Cohort (2012-2021), all 12 earned STEM Graduate Degrees

Please send your questions to Executive Director Diana Lizarraga via text at #510.778.5165 or via e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Text is preferred and faster.