Graduate Preparation Programs Eligible for Fee Waivers

Applicants who are affiliated with one or more of the following Graduate Preparation programs are eligible for graduate application fee waivers.

If you have participated in one of the programs below, please indicate your participation and provide the name and contact information of their program coordinator in the "Other Information" section of the online application system. The application fee waiver will be applied immediately upon submission. Confirmation of the applicant's program participation takes place during application review.

Application fees are only waived for applicants who have participated in or are affiliated with one or more of the graduate preparation programs listed below. Unfortunately we are not able to offer application fee waivers on any other basis (financial circumstances, participation in programs not listed below, etc.).

AGEP (Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate)
The Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program seeks to advance knowledge about models to improve pathways to the professoriate and success for historically underrepresented minority doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty in specific STEM disciplines and/or STEM education research fields. The program objectives include: to support the development, implementation and study of innovative models of doctoral education, postdoctoral training, and faculty advancement for historically underrepresented minorities in specific STEM disciplines and/or STEM education research fields; and to advance knowledge about the underlying issues, policies and practices that have an impact on the participation, transitions and advancement of historically underrepresented minorities in the STEM academy. https://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5474
BUILD (BUilding Infrastructure Leading to Diversity - NIH)
BUILD awards consist of linked grants issued to undergraduate institutions to implement and study innovative approaches to engaging and retaining students from diverse backgrounds in biomedical research, potentially helping them on the pathway to become future contributors to the NIH-funded research enterprise. BUILD awards differ from other NIH-funded training grants in that they aim to achieve simultaneous impact at the student, faculty and institutional levels. Through implementing a variety of innovative approaches to research skill building and training, mentorship and institutional change, the BUILD-funded institutions address various challenges faced by students, faculty and institutions. In addition, by disseminating effective interventions and strategies to diversify biomedical research, BUILD institutions contribute to broader transformational impact at an institutional level. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/dpc/Pages/build.aspx
Cal-Bridge Scholars
Cal-Bridge, a CSU-UC bridge program in physics and astronomy, provides financial and mentoring support to undergraduates at California State University campuses as they look forward to the critical transition to graduate school. The aim is to increase the pool of CSU students who go on to doctoral study and research careers in physics and astronomy. https://www.cpp.edu/~sci/physics-astronomy/research/cal-bridge.shtml
CAMP (California Alliance for Minority Participation)
Hosted on eight of the University of California campuses (including UC Davis), CAMP program seeks to increase minority participation in science, mathematics, and engineering fields through collaborative partnerships between institutions, faculty, student services, and students. https://urc.ucdavis.edu/programs/camp.html
Ecological and Evolutionary Response to Rapid Environmental Change (EERREC REU)
The EERREC REU is an eight-week, NSF supported summer program which provides students with immersion into research and professional development in preparation for a career in ecology and evolutionary biology. Students will conduct individual mentored research aimed at understanding ecological and evolutionary responses of organisms, communities, and ecosystems to rapid environmental change and will present the results of their work at scientific conferences. https://eerrec.ucdavis.edu/program
Envision UC Davis program participants
Envision UC Davis is a program offered by the University of California, Davis with the vision of creating a diverse and talented workforce at UC Davis, in the State of California, and for the nation. Undergraduate scholars from a variety of California colleges and universities are invited to the Davis campus for a two-day visit and provided with the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with UC Davis faculty and graduate students. For more information on Envision UC Davis, visit the program's website.
Gates Millennium Scholars
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program is a 1.6 billion dollar initiative funded by grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the GMS program is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial needs to reach their highest potential by: reducing financial barriers, increasing the representation of minority students in the disciplines of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences, and providing seamless support from undergraduates through doctoral programs. http://www.gmsp.org/
GEM (National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science)
GEM recruits high quality underrepresented students looking to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees in applied science and engineering, and matches their specific skills to the specific technical needs of GEM employer members. Each year, GEM identifies and recruits more than 1,000 undergraduate students, graduate students, and working professionals for admission to advanced degree programs at the nation’s top universities. The combination of graduate study and field-related internships make GEM fellows more marketable and more competitive upon graduation. Note: You must be a current or former GEM fellow to qualify for an application fee waiver. Waivers are not available to prospective fellows who have applied but not yet been approved for the program. http://www.gemfellowship.org/
Guardian Scholars Program (or if you have ever been in foster care)
Guardian Scholars is committed to improving the educational outcomes for foster youth and former foster youth by providing services and support to meet their needs through transition, graduation, and post-graduate planning. They strive to maximize educational opportunities and university experiences through our comprehensive programs and holistic advising to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. https://opportunity.ucdavis.edu/programs/guardian-scholars
HSI Pathways to the Professoriate
This program is a collaboration between eight partner institutions (including UC Davis) with a goal to prepare undergraduate students in the humanities to pursue a career in the professoriate. Funded by the Mellon Foundation and administered through the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions, HSI Pathways Fellows can expect preparation for humanities Ph.D. programs, engaged mentorship, development of academic and professional skills, a summer research program, a summer stipend, and other related research support. https://www.ucop.edu/graduate-studies/initiatives-outreach/uc-hsi-ddi.html
IMSD (Initiative for Maximizing Student Development - NIH)
IMSD is a student development program for institutions. The goal of the program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical research who complete Ph.D. degrees in these fields. The program offers an opportunity to develop new or expand existing effective academic developmental programs, including student research internships, in order to prepare students from underrepresented groups for competitive research careers and leadership positions in the biomedical sciences. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/IMSD/
IRT (Institute for Recruitment of Teachers)
The Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) empowers talented underserved and underrepresented future educators to teach and serve as leaders in American education because diversity is essential to excellence. Diversity of educators elevates the quality, expands the scope, and enhances the richness of education while impacting the learning of generations of students that will interact with diverse teachers. The heart of the IRT mission is therefore to expand educational access for talented underserved and underrepresented students, including students of color, first-generation, and low-income students by increasing collaboration with colleges and universities. Providing diverse students with educational and professional advocacy and mentorship in higher education will expand their career options as well as equip them to inspire more students as teachers, role models, and innovative thought leaders in education as well as advocate for positive changes in our education system. https://irt.andover.edu/
LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) is a funding program that assists universities and colleges in their efforts to significantly increase the numbers of students in high quality degree programs in (STEM) disciplines with a goal to diversify the STEM workforce. Particular emphasis is placed on transforming undergraduate STEM education through innovative, evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, and relevant educational experiences in support of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines. https://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13646
MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers - NIH)
Also known as “Maximizing Access to Research Careers,” MARC U-STAR awards provide support to institutions for the preparation of undergraduate students who are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences to improve their preparation for high-caliber graduate training at the Ph.D. level. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/MARC/
MBRS (Minority Biomedical Research Support)
The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program aims to help fill the nation’s shortage of minority men and women in biomedical research careers. MBRS undergraduates or doctoral students are mentors by Rutgets-Neward faculty members to perform biomedical/behavioral research. Scholars receive salaries, research supplies, and travel funds to participate in scientific conferences. Doctoral students receive full tuition remission and the chance to coauthor and present research at conferences. https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/696
McNair Scholars
The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded at 151 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to prepare first generation students with financial need or undergraduate members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society. https://mcnairscholars.com/ or https://mcnair.ucdavis.edu/
MMUF (Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship)
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program is the centerpiece of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s initiatives to increase diversity in the faculty ranks of institutions of higher learning. The fundamental objective of MMUF is to address, over time, the problem of underrepresentation in the academy at the level of college and university faculties. This goal can be achieved both by increasing the number of students from underrepresented minority groups (URM) who pursue PhDs and by supporting the pursuit of PhDs by students who may not come from traditional minority groups but have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to the goals of MMUF. http://www.mmuf.org/
NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate
The Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program provides support to institutions to help students make transitions at a critical stage in their development as scientists. The program is aimed at helping students make the transition from 2-year junior or community colleges to full 4-year baccalaureate programs. The purpose of the program is to increase the pool of community college students who go on to research careers in the biomedical sciences and will be available to participate in NIH-funded research. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/Mechanisms/Pages/BridgesBaccalaureate.aspx
NIH Bridges to the Doctorate
The Bridges to the Doctorate Program provides support to institutions to help students make a critical transition in their development as scientists. The program is aimed at helping students make the transition from master's degree programs to Ph.D. programs. The purpose of the program is to increase the pool of master's degree students who go on to research careers in the biomedical sciences and will be available to participate in NIH-funded research. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/Mechanisms/Pages/BridgesDoctoral.aspx
PREP (Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program - NIH)
PREP awards encourage individuals from underrepresented groups who hold a recent baccalaureate degree in a biomedically relevant science to pursue a research doctorate. PREP participants work as apprentice scientists in a preceptor's laboratory and participate in student development and education activities. This program is expected to strengthen the research skills and academic competitiveness of participants for pursuit of a graduate degree while also stimulating them to have an interest in addressing the health problems that disproportionately affect minorities and the medically underserved in the United States. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/PREP/
RISE (Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement - NIH)
RISE is a developmental program that seeks to increase the capacity of students underrepresented in the biomedical sciences to complete Ph.D. degrees in these fields. The program provides grants to institutions with a commitment and history of developing students from populations underrepresented in biomedical sciences as defined by the National Science Foundation. By supporting institutions with well-integrated developmental activities designed to strengthen students' academic preparation, research training and professional skills, the RISE Program aims to help reduce the existing gap in completion of Ph.D. degrees between underrepresented and non-underrepresented students. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/RISE/
Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar (CSU)
Sally Casanova provides chosen scholars the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty from CSUs and from doctoral-granting institutions in preparation for success in graduate studies. The program provides funding for activities such as summer research programs, campus visits, travel to national symposiums and professional meetings, membership to professionals organizations and journal subscriptions, and graduate school requirement fees. http://www.calstate.edu/PreDoc/
UC Davis Graduate Admissions Pathways (UCDGAP)
UC Davis Graduate Admissions Pathways (UCDGAP) is a nine-week summer research program that seeks to address the barriers that prevent full participation of under-represented minority (URM) students in graduate education and research careers. UCDGAP provides the opportunity for California State University and Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) undergraduates to research and learn from UC Davis faculty and graduate student mentors, with the intention of using the experience to pursue graduate degrees and professional training at UC Davis. https://grad.ucdavis.edu/uc-davis-graduate-admissions-pathways-ucdgap
UC-HBCU Initiative Summer Research Program
The UC-HBCU Initiative is a program offered by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) which connects faculty and undergraduate scholars at both UCs and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Through faculty-guided summer programs, undergraduates learn how to conduct research and develop professional skills and knowledge of graduate school in a variety of academic disciplines. A goal of the program is to increase the pool of talented, competitive, Black and African American students who apply to and pursue graduate degrees and professional training at one of the ten UC campuses. http://www.ucop.edu/graduate-studies/initiatives-outreach/uc-hbcu-program/ or https://grad.ucdavis.edu/HBCU
UC LEADS (Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees)
The University of California's Leadership Excellence through Advanced DegreeS (UC LEADS) program identifies and prepares promising students who have experienced situations or conditions that have adversely impacted their academic advancement for advanced education in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM). The UC LEADS benefits include: a two-year program of scientific research and graduate school preparation guided by individual faculty mentors, paid summer research experience, symposium experience, the chance to travel to other UC campuses and professional or scientific society meetings, and graduate school preparation. https://ucleads.ucdavis.edu/program-overview