Funding Opportunities
Feminist Studies majors are eligible to apply for the following awards. For a more extensive list of scholarship and award options, visit the UCSC Financial Aid Web site.
21st Century Feminist Scholarship
The 21st century feminist scholars endowment supports the pursuits of new and rising scholars in the field of feminist studies. Every year, the department awards 2-3 scholarships in amounts ranging from $300 to $1,000 to support independent research, research-related travel, or experiential learning.
The call for this scholarship typically is sent out via email in Winter quarter. The 2023-24 academic year application deadline will be announced at the beginning of Winter quarter and the submission deadline will be Friday February 23, 2024.
Recipients of scholarships will be asked to write a brief, 1-2 page report on their experience. This letter will be shared with donors to demonstrate the impact of the endowment, and may be shared via the Feminist Studies Newsletter and/or website. We encourage 21st Century Scholars to also share photos, as appropriate.
To apply, submit the following to the FMST Undergrad Advisor (fmst-advising@ucsc.edu) by the submission deadline:
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Project proposal (2 pages maximum): describe your project, its relevance to Feminist Studies and/or your career goals, and the expected timeline.
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Projected budget: list expected expenses and funds received from other sources, if any.
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Letter of endorsement/recommendation (1 page maximum) from a Feminist Studies faculty mentor.
The Bettina Aptheker Award for Research or Community Service on Sexual, Gendered, and Racial Violence
Bettina Aptheker, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Feminist Studies, is one of UC Santa Cruz's legendary professors. A radical feminist, political activist, UCSC alumna, and history scholar with a national reputation, Professor Aptheker has reached over 16,000 students through teaching in the department. In honor of and as an extension of her legacy, Professor Aptheker established an endowment that supports students whose research, work, or community service relates to sexual, gendered, and/or racial violence.
Currently the call for applications for this $1,000 award is emailed to FMST grad students and to FMST undergraduate students on an every other year rotating basis in Winter quarter. In the 2023-24 academic year, the call will be sent to FMST graduate students in early January; the due date for applications will be announced at that time.
THI Undergraduate Research Fellowships (formerly Hugra Award)
The THI Undergraduate Research Fellowships support and encourage undergraduate research in the humanities. Up to 10 awards in the amount of $500 each are given each year. There are no constraints on the expenditure of the stipend. The top proposal receives the Bertha N. Melkonian prize, an additional $500. Any project involving research within or including any of the humanities disciplines is eligible for consideration. Proposals must be for research to be performed during the academic year. Proposals will be judged on the basis of:a) intellectual substance, b) promise of results, c) preparation of applicant, and d) feasibility.
More information here.
Strauss Foundation Award
Fourteen $10,000 scholarships are awarded each year to junior class-level California university juniors interested in public service. Check the Strauss Foundation website for more information.
Dean’s, Chancellor’s and Steck Awards
To encourage and stimulate outstanding scholarship and creativity among undergraduate students, the Deans of the five academic divisions at UCSC annually award fifty undergraduates (ten from each division) the Dean's Undergraduate Award with a cash prize of $100 for outstanding achievement in their division. The projects must be based on work developed in courses or programs in the normal pattern of academic activity at UCSC. Of the Deans' awardees, the top three from each division are awarded the Chancellor's Undergraduate Award with an additional cash prize of $100. Of the Chancellor's awardees, the most outstanding research project from a graduating senior receives the Steck Award with an additional cash prize of $1,000. Completed projects and applications are due to the faculty sponsor’s department in early April. Guidelines and application forms are available starting in mid-January from the offices of the Chancellor, Divisions, Departments, and Colleges. More information here.
Sabrina Greenfield Memorial Award
This $3,000 award is in honor of Feminist Studies major, Sabrina Greenfield. Her friends and family wish to acknowledge and remember her life and dedication to social justice through this award. The award is based on academic merit and financial aid, and is open to John R. Lewis College undergraduates at the sophomore, junior, or senior level who are majoring in Feminist Studies. Go here for more information.
Other Humanities Division scholarships - Check each section for deadlines:
See Also
