California Pre-Doctoral Scholarship at College of Graduate Studies 2025

Eligibility

To be eligible for the California Pre-Doctoral Program, applicants must:

• Be a current junior, senior, or graduate student at a California State University (CSU).
• Have demonstrated academic excellence in their field of study.
• Have experienced economic or educational disadvantage, as assessed by the review panel.
• Be committed to pursuing a career in teaching or research at the university level.
• Students must apply through the Chancellor’s Office, with an online submission deadline of Friday, February 16, 2024.
• While the program primarily targets upper-division and graduate students, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Associate Dean of Inclusive Student Success, Amy Leisenring (amy.leisenring@sjsu.edu), for guidance and further support.

Scholarship Value and Benefits

• The California Pre-Doctoral Program provides selected students with the following benefits:
• Award of $5,000 for various academic-related expenses, including:Visits to doctoral-granting institutions in the continental United States.
  Attending or presenting research at professional conferences.
• Journal subscriptions in the student's field or professional organization membership fees.
  Graduate school application fees, GRE prep courses, or other graduate exam registration fees.
• Summer Research Experience: Pre-Doctoral Scholars are eligible to apply for a fully-funded summer research experience with a faculty member at an accredited Ph.D.-granting institution in the continental U.S.
• This experience includes funding for travel, housing, food allowance, and a living stipend.
• Special Recognition: Those selected as Pre-Doctoral Scholars are honored with the title "California Pre-Doctoral Scholar," named in tribute to Dr. Sally Casanova.

Application Process

The application process for the California Pre-Doctoral Program involves several steps:

• Online Application: Students must submit their application through the Chancellor’s Office online submission portal by February 16, 2024.
• Faculty Recommendation: Applicants must have a faculty sponsor who will support their application and provide a letter of recommendation.
• Supporting Documents: Along with the application, students must submit required documents such as academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining their career goals, and evidence of economic or educational disadvantage.
• Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed based on academic excellence, demonstrated need, and commitment to a career in teaching or research.
• The selection panel will choose approximately 70 students for the scholarship.
• Summer Research Experience Application: Scholars selected for the program will be invited to apply for a Summer Research Experience in the following year.
• The application for this opportunity will be due in early Spring, and the scholar must identify a faculty sponsor at a Ph.D.-granting institution and describe the research experience they aim to gain.