UC Noyce Initiative Graduate Fellowship

Call for Applications 
UC Noyce Initiative Graduate Fellowship
Academic Year 2026-27

Important Dates:

  • May 13, 2026: Call for Applications Announced
  • June 5, 2026: Application Submission Deadline
  • July 2026: Inaugural Class of UC Noyce Initiative Graduate Fellowship is Announced
  • Fall 2026: UC Noyce Initiative Graduate Fellowship Beginnings
  • June 2028: Inaugural UC Noyce Initiative Graduate Fellowship is Completed

 

Program Overview

The UC Noyce Initiative, a partnership among five University of California campuses — Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, San Francisco and Santa Barbara — honors the legacy of Robert N. Noyce and Ann S. Bowers by catalyzing high-impact research in digital technology and innovation. The UC Noyce Initiative currently focuses on three key thematic areas: 

  • computational health,
  • quantum information science and
  • cybersecurity. 
     

To support the continued advancement in these three thematic areas, the UC Noyce Initiative aims to support a cohort of graduate student fellows conducting research that aligns with these areas. In addition to funding research driving advancement in these three thematic areas, the UC Noyce Initiative aims to create a cohort of graduate student fellows to support their research activity and provide professional development opportunities to train highly skilled members of the future workforce.

The 2026 UC Noyce Initiative anticipates supporting one fellow at each Initiative campus. In addition to providing fellows with $75,000 per year for two years of support to conduct research aligned with the three thematic areas of the UC Noyce Initiative, the fellows will participate in workshops to foster cross-campus, interdisciplinary collaboration, enabling fellows to share ideas, align research efforts, and accelerate scientific progress through coordinated engagement. Workshops will be hosted at one of the UC Noyce campuses (UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Francisco and UC Santa Barbara). Fellows will also participate in the UC Noyce Annual Symposium, where they will engage with UC Noyce-funded researchers and campus leadership from across all five campuses to present their work, exchange insights, and build a broader collaborative research community.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in a PhD program at a participating UC campus
  • Be in good academic standing at the time of application
  • Have an Advisor or Principal Investigator who is a current or past UC Noyce Initiative research award recipient
  • Be in Year 2 of doctoral training at the time of application
  • Enter Year 3 at the start of fellowship funding
  • Conduct interdisciplinary research aligned with one or more UC Noyce priorities

Fellowship Term and Structure

  • Award duration: Two (2) years
  • One fellow will be selected annually per participating UC campus

Funding and Allowable Costs

  • Maximum award: Up to $75,000 per year
  • Allowable uses include stipend and full Tuition & Fees (including health insurance).
  • Travel costs to attend required workshops/meetings will be covered by the UC Noyce Initiative separately from award funds. All UC travel guidelines apply.

Program Participation Expectations

In addition to conducting research within a UC Noyce Initiative thematic area, Fellows will be required to: 

  • Participate in an annual cohort in-person workshop
  • Create and present a poster and flash talk at the UC Noyce Initiative’s annual symposium 
  • Submit an annual progress report

    Participation requirements are programmatic and do not replace or supersede academic requirements set by the home campus or graduate program.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following materials by the stated deadline:

1. Research Summary (2 page maximum)
  • Research question and significance
  • Computational approach and methods
  • Alignment with UC Noyce Initiative thematic area
  • Anticipated outcomes and impact

2. Career Development Statement (1 page maximum)
  • Training goals and skill development
  • Fellowship impact on research trajectory
  • Long-term academic or professional objectives

3. Letter of Recommendation (1 page maximum)
  • One letter from the primary advisor or dissertation mentor 
4. CV for applicant 
5. CV for faculty sponsor

Review Criteria

Applications will be evaluated through a merit-based review process with the following review criteria:
• Alignment with UC Noyce Initiative priorities
• Research excellence, rigor, and feasibility
• Integration and appropriateness of computational approaches
• Applicant readiness for advanced-stage doctoral funding
• The faculty sponsor should demonstrate relevant expertise and a clear commitment to mentoring, oversight, and supporting the fellow’s research and professional development throughout the award period.

Review and Selection Process

• Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee at each UC Noyce Initiative campus with expertise spanning the three UC Noyce research pillars: computational health, quantum science and cybersecurity.
• Graduate program leadership may participate in the review process as appropriate

Administration and Oversight

The fellowship is administered through the Office of Research in coordination with:
• Campus Graduate Divisions
• Graduate Programs
• UC Noyce Initiative leadership and staff

Award administration will follow UC and campus-specific fellowship policies related to student status, financial disbursement, and progress monitoring.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit all required materials by June 5, 2026 via InfoReady.

Apply

Questions regarding eligibility or campus-specific procedures should be directed to:


Submission Deadline: Monday, June 5, 2026, by 11:59 PM.