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External: NRSA F31 | NSF GRFP
Internal: Fellowships | Financial Aid | Appointments | Travel Awards
Students intending to complete an MS degree are normally not supported by the program. This is, however, at the discretion of faculty who are members of the graduate group.
Ph.D. students in the program are funded from a variety of sources. The faculty in the graduate program expect to be able to provide funding for each student admitted to the program. We encourage students to seek outside sources of support and will assist students who are interested in writing applications for outside support. Entering students are normally supported for the first two quarters on Block grant funds that are provided by the UC Davis through the Office of Graduate Studies.
The graduate group is fortunate to be able to garner support from numerous fellowship sources for many of our students. These include the NIEHS sponsored training grant in Environmental Toxicology, and the NIGMS sponsored training grant in Pharmacological Sciences:
A list of additional training programs can be found in the Links section.
A limited number of paid TA positions are available through the Department of Environmental Toxicology and other related departments across campus. For those students interested in combined degrees (MD/Ph.D.; DVM/Ph.D.) sources of support include the Physician Scientist Training Program and the Veterinary Scientist Training Program. The majority of our students are supported on funds from research grants held by major professors.
External
Pre-doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships and grants are available from a number of outside agencies, including private foundations, nonprofits, state, and federal sources. A variety of support is offered, from one-time awards to multi-year support for living expenses, educational fees, conference travel and/or research for beginning to advanced graduate student and postdoctoral levels. Aside from the obvious financial benefit, receipt of external funding exemplifies excellence in research, writing, and scholarship. Applying for external fellowships and grants is a excellent professional development experience for many of you who will be seeking academic career placement where grant funding is a necessity.
Please browse the alphabetical listing of Fellowships and Grants. Below are three examples of national annual funding calls.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) for Individual Predoctoral Fellows (F31)
Description: The purpose of this individual predoctoral research training fellowship is to provide 2-3 years of support for promising doctoral candidates who will be performing dissertation research and training in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) during the tenure of the award.
Eligibility: The applicant must be at the dissertation research stage of their training and must show evidence of both high academic performance in the sciences and substantial interest in a research area of high priority to the participating Institutes. Citizenship: By the time of award, the individual applicant must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident card).
Office of Graduate Studies Deadlines: for final receipt for submission (respective to NIH Deadlines): 12/1, 4/1, 8/2. NIH Deadlines(s): 12/8, 4/8, 8/8 annually
*Note: as of August 2009, all F31 applications are now submitted electronically through grants.gov by the Office of Graduate Studies Grant Officer. APPLICANTS MUST ALLOW 5 DAYS MINIMUM PROCESSING TIME. The Office of Graduate Studies Grant/Proposal Data Form and additional information can be found here.
**Deadlines are subject to change without further University notification. Please at verify all deadlines before applying.
For more information and application guidelines, please visit the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA F31 website.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)
Description: The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in the relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees, including women in engineering and computer and information science. Fields of Study include Chemistry, Computer & Information Science, Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education & Research. Potential funding per fellowship: $30,000 stipend and $10,500 per year, for three years.
Eligibility: Applicants must not have completed more than 12 months of full-time graduate study or the equivalent (senior undergraduates, 1st and 2nd year graduate students are generally eligible). In addition, applicants must have US citizenship, permanent resident or US national status at the time of application. Applicant must be accepted and enrolled in a US university graduate program at the time of the award.
Deadline: Mid-November (varies by discipline)
For more information and application guidelines, please visit the NSF GRFP website.
Internal
Financial support for graduate study at UC Davis is available in the form of fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and financial aid. The Office of Graduate Studies administers several campus-based fellowship programs, including awards to support campus diversity. These fellowships provide financial support for nonresident tuition, fees, stipends, research, and travel.
Fellowships for Continuing Graduate Students
Description: UC Davis uses a variety of internal fellowship funds to support academic graduate students. Internal fellowships can provide financial support in the form of a stipend (or "living allowance"), fees, nonresident supplemental tuition, research, travel or any combination of these. The value of the fellowships varies from $1,000 to as much as a $50,000/year award. Internal fellowships are paid in a single academic year (October through July) unless otherwise noted. Awards are a mark of honor, primarily on the basis of scholarship and promise of outstanding academic and professional contribution.
Eligibility: The UC Davis Internal Fellowship Application system is for continuing students in an academic degree program. U.S. citizens, permanent residents or immigrants who are not legal residents of California are only eligible for a nonresident supplemental tuition fellowship in their first year. They can, and are expected to, establish residency. International students' eligibility for a nonresident supplemental tuition fellowship is not restricted to the first year.
Deadline: Usually December 1 every year
For more information and application guidelines, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies' Internal Fellowships website.
Financial Aid
Description: Federal financial aid includes student loans, grants, and work-study funding. Graduate applicants who are US citizens, permanent residents or immigrants are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although the FAFSA can be filed at any time, it is strongly suggested that you file by the priority processing date of March 2. This form, submitted directly to the Federal Student Aid Program Office, Iowa City, Iowa, is used to determine financial need only. Financial need is a component of the eligibility criteria for many fellowships, and for all forms of financial aid.
Eligibility: Financial Aid, which is only available to US citizens, permanent residents or immigrants, is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, and is administered by the Financial Aid Office.
Deadline: Priority processing date is March 2
For More information and application guidelines, please visit the Financial Aid Office website.
Graduate Student Appointments
Description: Working as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), Teaching Assistant (TA), or Associate In is a good way to gain professional experience and advance your career, as well as earn a paycheck and obtain fee remissions. As a graduate student you may work a total of 15 quarters as a Graduate Student Researcher and a total of 15 quarters as a Teaching Assistant or Associate In_. You may be appointed up to 18 quarters in either category by exception to policy. The 18-quarter limit is absolute and no exceptions will be granted.
Eligibility: A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to hold an academic appointment. GSR appointments, above 25% and not exceeding 50% time, provide full remission of in-state fees; TAship appointments, above 25% and not exceeding 50% time, provide partial remission of in-state fees. This policy is reviewed for renewal each year.
Deadline: Differs by Department and Quarter. Check online for availabilities.
For more information and application guidelines, please visit the Graduate Student Appointments website.
Travel Awards
Description: The Committee on Support and Welfare accepts applications for graduate student awards for travel to meetings of nationally and internationally recognized professional societies twice annually. Each award period allows nine months for future conferences and three months for conferences that have already taken place. Any expenditure allowable under UC Davis Policy & Procedure on the Travel Expense Voucher are reimbursable. All international travel - $1,000, Domestic travel outside of California - $500, Hawaii & Alaska (exception) - $1,000, Travel within California - $250. Disabled student applicants whose disabilities require the assistance of a personal attendant may also request an award for the attendant's travel.
Eligibility: Graduate students at or near the completion of their studies who have not previously received this award and who are presenting a research paper (acceptance of paper may be pending at time of application) are eligible. Students must be in good academic standing and are required to hold and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must be registered graduate students. Students on PELP (Planned Educational Leave Program) are not eligible for this award. Students on Filing Fee status may apply.
Deadline: Spring application deadline: Applications for travel during January 1 through December 31 (current calendar year) are due to the graduate programs by March 15. Fall application deadline: Applications for travel during July 1 (current calendar year) through June 30 (following calendar year) are due to the graduate programs by October 15.
For more information and application guidelines, please visit the Graduate Student Travel Awards website.