Research & Post Graduate Opportunities

Marco Antonio Firebaugh Scholars Program

https://gradapp.berkeley.edu/portal/fellowships?cmd=firebaugh

Firebaugh Scholars receive funding and academic support to design and complete an independent faculty-sponsored research project over the course of one academic year. Scholars also receive support in applying to graduate school and post-baccalaureate opportunities. 

*Applications typically open in early spring

Haas Scholar Program

https://research.berkeley.edu/haas-scholars/ 

Each year, twenty highly qualified, academically talented undergraduates with financial needs come together to build a supportive intellectual community during their final year at UC Berkeley.

Haas Scholars come from all walks of life and every major on campus, but they are united by their desire to strive for excellence–both in their individual academic pursuits and as an interdisciplinary cohort. Applicants are evaluated primarily on the merit and originality of their proposal for an independent research or creative project that will serve as the basis for a senior or honors thesis. Once selected, Haas Scholars receive close mentoring from members of the UC-Berkeley faculty, seminars and workshops to assist them in the research and writing process, the opportunity to present their work at a professional conference, and up to $13,800 each in financial support.

Haas Scholar alumni have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields, including academia, medicine, law, industry, the arts, and public service. You are invited to explore this website for an introduction to the community of Haas Scholars, and if qualified, we encourage you to apply to join us!

*The 2024–2025 application will be posted in early fall 2023

Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP)

https://research.berkeley.edu/urap/

The Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) provides an opportunity for Berkeley undergraduates to work with faculty members and research staff on cutting-edge research projects. Working closely with mentors, students will deepen their knowledge and skills in areas of special interest, while experiencing what it means to be part of an intellectual community engaged in research. The program is designed to stimulate awareness of advanced research and interest in graduate study. Students are not paid for their participation; instead, they earn 1 unit of academic credit for every 3 hours of research work completed (limited to 4 units per term). 

CRG Student Grants Program for Research & Creative Projects

https://crg.berkeley.edu/opportunities/crg-student-grants-program 

CRG welcomes proposals from both undergraduate and graduate students to support research or creative projects. Project topics should be consonant with CRG’s mandate to support critical student research on race, gender, and their intersections in a wide variety of social, cultural, and institutional contexts. Proposals that address both race and gender will be prioritized, and proposals that do not address race at all will be de-prioritized. Projects may be oriented toward academic research or may approach race and gender issues from the perspectives of the media, fine arts, and performing arts.

*The spring application period opens in mid-September. FALL APPLICATION DEADLINE:  November 15

*The Spring application period opens in mid-February. SPRING APPLICATION DEADLINE:  April 15

Social Sciences Research Pathways

https://irle.berkeley.edu/student-opportunities/social-science-research-pathways/ 

Social Sciences Research Pathways (SSRP) is a yearlong paid research development program that connects undergraduate students with graduate student mentors pursuing master’s or doctoral-level research.

* Mentee applications will open on August 9, 2023

* Mentor deadline to apply is August 30th, 2023

The Berkeley Physics Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (BPURS)

Berkeley Physics Undergraduate Research Scholars (BPURS) (deadlines 2nd Fri of Sept+1st Fri of Feb). 

Berkeley Physics Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (BPURS) offers the opportunity for a student to partner with a faculty member to apply jointly for funding ($750 per semester) for a research project. The project can be mentored by postdocs or graduate students, under the supervision of a faculty memberInterested students apply and the faculty member must sign off on the acceptance of the student through BPURS into their lab.

*Mentee applications will open on August 9, 2023

SURF Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

https://research.berkeley.edu/surf/

SURF L&S provides undergraduates in the College of Letters and Science with funding to undertake concentrated summer research in preparation for a senior thesis or other major capstone project. Fellows receive a summer stipend of $5,000. SURF L&S fellows must be entering their final year or final semester and have no other research funding. 

SURF Rose Hills

SURF Rose Hills supports sophomores, juniors, and seniors conducting STEM-oriented research during the summer months. Students may be either pursuing a faculty-led project or an independent project of their own design. Generously supported by the Rose Hills Foundation, SURF Rose Hills fellows receive a summer stipend of $5,000. 

*Applications typically open in Spring

The UC Washington Program (UCDC)

https://research.berkeley.edu/ucdc/ 

Each Fall and Spring, UC juniors and seniors from all majors travel to Washington, D.C. to intern, do research, and take classes for a semester. Students live and attend courses at the UC Washington Center, an eleven-story building six blocks from the White House. Washington, D.C. offers a wide variety of academic, professional, and rich cultural opportunities for undergraduates.

DreamSF Fellowship

The DreamSF Fellowship is a paid San Francisco-based leadership and professional development program for immigrant students and aspiring professionals who seek to gain real-world experience with social justice change-makers in the Bay Area.

Fellows are paired with local immigrant-serving community organizations and gain hands-on experience in direct services, advocacy, and immigration law, and more while growing a network of mentors. Fellows receive professional mentorship and attend weekly enrichment seminars to support their growth as leaders and community advocates.

* Applications open in February of each year

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

This program is for graduate students up to 30 years old with an interest in human rights and the rule of law as related to the U.S. Constitution. DACA students and non-U.S. citizens are eligible.

*Applications close October 26, 2023

Independent Contracting

All immigrants regardless of legal status can earn a living as independent contractors, or start a business using an ITIN or SSN. An independent contractor must pay self-employment tax and income tax and may use an ITIN to file and pay taxes instead of an SSN. 

If you are an independent contractor, then you are self-employed. The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done.

Resources that may help you learn more about independent contracting: 

• Immigrants rising https://immigrantsrising.org/making-money/
• Look out for UndocuLife After Cal Workshops offered through USP