Financial Support
for the 2008-2009 School Year

It is the tradition of the Population Biology Graduate Group to guarantee five years of support for all students admitted. First-year students are typically supported with two quarters of fellowship, one quarter of teaching assistantship (TAship), and if needed, full-year non-resident tuition (NRT) fellowships. The TAship helps first-year students gain teaching experience and is valuable preparation for the qualifying exam. Continuing students in the program will have support packages from a combination of the following sources:

Fellowships | Traineeships | Teaching Assistantships | Research Assisantships | Research Support | Population Biology Home Page

Fellowships

Each year UCD and the Population Biology Graduate Group offer fellowships and graduate scholarships for entering and continuing Pop Bio graduate students. Stipends are generally $20,000 for 12 months plus tuition and fees. The Graduate Group also has discretionary funds for a limited number of fellowships. Because the number of awards is limited and the competition is keen, only students with distinguished scholarship will be considered. Evaluation of applications is based on the extent and quality of previous academic work, test scores, evidence of ability in research, and the promise of productive scholarship. All appointees are expected to devote full time to graduate study and research.

To be eligible for fellowship support you must complete both applications listed below. (Note separate deadlines.)

 

• The application for fellowship is available on the Graduate Studies web site. This is an online application and can be completed as the same time as your admission application. Much of your information will transfer from your admission application into the fellowship application. Please read each fellowship and apply for those appropriate to your situation. Deadline: January 2, 2009 for new students and December 11, 2009 for continuing students .

  AND

• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form on-line NO LATER THAN MARCH 15, 2009. (Earlier is better.) Paper versions of FAFSA may be obtained from your local University.

Nonresident Tuition (NRT) Fellowships

Nonresident Tuition Fellowships (NRT) are available to graduate students on a merit basis. Eligible students will be automatically considered for this fellowship when the general fellowship application is received (see above). U.S. students are expected to establish California residency during their first year, so that, at most, one year of non-resident tuition is needed.

National Science Foundation's Responding to Rapid Environmental Change (REACH) Program

The Center for Population Biology was awarded a five-year, NSF-sponsored interdisciplinary training grant on Responding to Rapid Environmental Change (REACH). In the REACH IGERT, we will to develop a multidisciplinary understanding of the biological and social mechanisms needed to respond to rapid environmental change. The dynamism of environmental problems means that solutions must be on-going accomplishments, requiring continuing commitment to monitoring, management, and adaptation.

Each traineeship consists of a $7,500 quarterly stipend, plus educational fees. In addition, funds are available to support interdisciplinary and collaborative research and internships. For additional information on the REACH IGERT program and application procedures, please visit their
website: http://reach.ucdavis.edu

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS)

The ARCS Foundation of Northern California provides scholarship opportunities to UC Davis students involved in various sciences. The competition for these funds is based on nominations by participating programs. Scholarship support for students in 2008-2009 is anticipated at $10,000 per award. Applications for ARCS are mailed to all Center for Population Biology student affiliates in November. Please contact the Center for Population Biology directly for details and questions.

UC Davis Natural Reserve System (NRS) McLaughlin Reserve: Research Assistantships

Support is available through a collaborative research program studying the ecological and evolutionary responses of plants to habitat mosaics at the UC Davis McLaughlin Reserve. The project is supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation- Interdisciplinary Science Program, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation- Conservation and Environment Program. Information regarding related graduate student Research Assistantships may be found on the NRS web site.

Teaching Assistantships and Readerships

Many PBGG graduate students work as teaching assistants for the Section of Evolution & Ecology. Please see the EVE TA web site for instructions. (Please note that our application is specific to the College of Biological Sciences. If you are interested in TAing/Reader for departments outside the College of Bio. Sci., please contact those departments directly.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GSR)

Graduate students may be appointed a maximum of 9 quarters in one or a combination of academic titles (e.g. TA, GSR, Reader) prior to Advancement to Candidacy. Students serving as a Research Assistant (GSR) are supported by the research grant of their major professor (or first year mentor). Duties will vary with each faculty and research grant. Appointment as an GSR alone, or in combination with other University employment may not exceed 50% during the academic year (October - July). Additional funding (up to 100% employment) may be available during the summer quarter.

Research Support

Financial support for student research, including field work, laboratory work and travel, is available on a competitive basis from the Center for Population Biology. The Hardman Research Award Endowment, the Daphne and Ted Pengelley Endowment in Evolutionary Biology, and UCD intramural sources such as Jastro-Shields Research Scholarships are also available for research support. Applications for research support are mailed to all PBGG students in November.

Population Biology Home Page | Office of Graduate Studies | UC Davis Home Page

PBGG Graduate Coordinator
(530) 752-1274
2320 Storer Hall, 1 Shields Avenue, UCD, Davis, CA 95616

Last modified July 21, 2008