Graduate Division Dean's Update: 3/4/26

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars, 

One of the things I think about often, especially when I sit in rooms full of you, is just how different you all are from one another.

Different disciplines. Different ways of thinking. Different lived experiences. Different assumptions about how the world works.

And I want to say something clearly that we do not always say out loud:

Those differences are not an obstacle to learning.

They are the very condition that makes real thinking possible.

When everyone in a room sees the world the same way, conversation becomes confirmation. We move quickly, but not deeply. We agree, but we do not interrogate. We feel efficient, but we miss things.

It is in the presence of difference that something more meaningful happens. We slow down. We explain our reasoning. We question our assumptions. We encounter ideas that do not fit neatly into our own frameworks.

That friction, sometimes uncomfortable and sometimes illuminating, is where critical thought actually begins.

But here is the part that matters just as much, and perhaps more. Those differences do not only live in the classroom. They are not just intellectual. They are not abstract.

They are lived.

Right now, across our community, some of you are moving through the same week in very different worlds.

For some, this is a week of midterms, lab work, writing, and deadlines. For others, it is something else entirely.

We are watching, in real time, what is unfolding in places like Iran, where students, people not so different from you, are navigating protests, economic instability, and profound uncertainty. Many are continuing their education under conditions that are difficult to fully comprehend from a distance.

At the same time, broader economic pressures and geopolitical tensions are shaping daily life in ways that affect access to resources, stability, and safety.

And in a community as global as ours, these events are not distant.

They are personal.

They are affecting classmates, lab partners, friends, and family members. They are shaping how people show up, what they are carrying, and what it takes just to focus on the work in front of them.

So, when we talk about difference, I want us to hold both truths at once: Difference strengthens our thinking.

And difference means we are not all moving through the same reality.

Both are true. Both matter.

Which means our responsibility to one another is not just intellectual. It is human.

It is to stay curious about perspectives that are not our own.

It is to make space for complexity.

It is to lead with a bit more patience, a bit more care, and a bit more awareness that we rarely see the full picture of what someone else is navigating.

If critical thinking is about questioning assumptions, then perhaps one of the most important assumptions we can question is this:

That everyone around us is experiencing this moment the same way we are. They are not.

And that awareness, held with care, is part of what makes a true academic community.

Take care of yourselves and take care of each other.

Upcoming office hours for the next two weeks are listed below. They are first come, first serve:  https://uci.zoom.us/j/7277477

Wednesday, March 11 – Noon PT

Tuesday, March 17 – 11:30 AM PT

CCCIP Applications Due March 18
Applications for the California Community College Internship Program (CCCIP) are due this Wednesday, March 18.

CCCIP provides doctoral and M.F.A. students with structured mentorship, teaching experience, professional development, and a $7,500 summer fellowship in preparation for community college faculty careers.

If you plan to apply, please be sure to submit your materials before the deadline.

Application deadline: March 18. Click here to access the application. Want to learn more? Access Information Session slides and recording here.

Graduate TA Training for Upper-Division Writing

Friday, 3 – 5 PM PT at UCI Campus Writing and Communication Coordinator

Register Here

Hope to TA for a Writing (W) course? Generally want to learn how to teach writing while you hone your own skills? Then attend our Graduate TA Training for Upper-Division Writing. This Spring 2026 training requires two hours a week of in-person meetings, a consultation with trainers, and one class observation if you are teaching concurrently.

In addition to reading foundational materials in Writing in the Disciplines (WID), graduate students will create a portfolio that equips them for the responsibility of teaching writing in their disciplines and beyond. This portfolio will primarily include accurate and manageable student learning outcomes, an in-class writing-to-learn activity, a larger signature writing assignment, a peer-response activity, and an assessment tool (such as a rubric) for giving instructor feedback on student writing.

Participants who complete this training will also earn UC Irvine’s Writing Pedagogy Certificate. If you are interested, please register by clicking the button below.

If you have questions, please email Patrick Bonczyk at pbonczyk@uci.edu.

Apply for IonE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Deadline: April 29th, 2026

Apply here
The goal of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment (IonE) Postdoctoral Fellowship is to accelerate the transition to a future where people and the planet prosper by supporting breakthrough research across disciplines, developing the next generation of global leaders, and building transformative partnerships across the state, region and globe. IonE Postdoctoral Fellows are interdisciplinary, community-engaged scholars who thrive both as team leaders and collaborators. The Fellows are visionary leaders who conduct solutions-oriented research to support equitable and just sustainability transition decisions. The Fellows define success by the impact they have in the world. Is this you? If so, complete this form!  

 

Apply to Comscicon 2026 in Bordeaux, France
July 7 -10
Click here for more information
ComSciCon provides graduate student attendees with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet early career leaders in Science Communication, learn from and interact with a remarkable group of invited experts, and produce original work communicating complex technical concepts from science and engineering to a new audience.

At ComSciCon’s Flagship Workshop, participants build communication skills that scientists and other technical professionals need to express ideas to their peers, experts in other fields, and the general public. Click here or the link above for more information.

Iris Booth Career Scholarship
Take the next step in your professional journey with the Iris Booth Career Scholarship. You could win a $2,500 scholarship toward your career goals!

To enter, visit the Division of Career Pathways and snap a polished, professional headshot in our Iris Booth to elevate your online presence with high‑quality, studio‑style photos perfect for resumes, LinkedIn, and more.

Deadline: April 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Learn more How to Enter and Eligibility: Iris Booth Career Scholarship | irisbooth.com

Professional Development Resource: Nature Masterclasses On-Demand
UC Irvine Graduate Division, in partnership with GPS-STEM, the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, and the School of Medicine, now offers graduate students and postdocs free access to Nature Masterclasses On-Demand. These online courses, designed by Springer Nature experts, will help you sharpen your research, writing, and publishing skills.

💡 Courses cover topics such as choosing the right journal, persuasive grant writing, research integrity, and more. Certificates are available upon completion.

👉 Explore Nature Masterclasses by clicking here

Become a Mentor with UC Irvine’s Next Gen Pathways Program
Want to support incoming grad students while building your own leadership skills? The Next Gen Pathways mentoring initiative is still recruiting mentors for the 2025–26 academic year.

This peer mentorship program connects experienced UC Irvine graduate students with new students navigating the transition into grad school—especially those who are first-gen, international, parenting, or facing hidden challenges. Mentors help with everything from research and time management to navigating campus life and offering encouragement.

✅ Flexible time commitment
✅ Matching based on shared experiences
✅ Self-paced training (~60 min)
✅ Mentorship experience for your CV

🔹 Register to mentor: uci.mentorcollective.org/register/uci-grad/mentor
🔹 Learn more: grad.uci.edu/next-gen-pathways

Your experience can make a real difference.

Division of Career Pathways Resources
Not sure what life after your Master’s degree or PhD looks like or have questions about your next career steps?

Book a 45-minute 1:1 session with the Division of Career Pathways team for personalized support—including career exploration, job or internship search strategies, resume/CV reviews, mock interviews, and more. Whether you’re considering further education, an academic path, or jumping into industry, we’re here to help you navigate your journey.

About our team: Dr. Jill Wells, Associate Director of Career Education, has over 25 years of experience in teaching and leadership, working with students of all ages. Before UCI, she supported graduate students and postdocs at Caltech and advised business students at USC, where she earned a dual doctorate in education and an MBA. She is eager to support graduate students at every stage of their academic and professional development. Maks Giljen, a 4th-year PhD student in clinical psychology, is a Graduate Student Peer Career Educator and passionate about guiding fellow grad students in their career planning.

Let’s connect and get you on the right track! Appointments can be booked here: https://app.joinhandshake.com/appointments

Take Advantage of Division of Career Pathways’ Professional Photo Booth

The Division of Career Pathways (DCP) is pleased to introduce our all-new Professional Photo Booth, a complimentary, walk-in service at the Division of Career Pathways offering FREE professional headshots for UCI students, staff, and faculty. These professional headshots are perfect for your LinkedIn/ Handshake/ Zoom profile, department website, and also works for UCI Digital ID photo requirements. 

Wellness and Inclusion Services

We know that getting through graduate school takes a lot of effort, so we provide support to our students along the way. Many of Graduate Division’s services can help you maintain your work/life balance. At UC Irvine, we believe that healthy Anteaters are productive Anteaters, which is why UCI Graduate Division has our counselors available for any student or postdoc who feels they need to talk with someone.

Services Offered: Academic support; Equity and inclusion support; Time management strategies; Tools to master effective communication skills; Strategies for navigating professional and academic expectations in graduate school; Referrals to campus services

Please reach out to Dr. Phong Luong (pbluong@uci.edu) directly to schedule an appointment.

 Helpful Resources Provided by UC Irvine Libraries

Here are a few helpful links below provided by the UC Irvine Libraries. UC Irvine Libraries developed a guide to help new scholars navigate the realm of scholarship.

Graduate Student Research Support Guide

Digital Scholarship Services (DSS) Main Site

  • https://www.lib.uci.edu/dss
  • This site provides an overview of UC Irvine Libraries’ digital scholarship services with contact information, workshop details, and other tools and resources

DSS Programming Workshops

LibGuide on Software for Data Analysis (by Danielle Kane, Computational Research Librarian):  https://guides.lib.uci.edu/dataanalysis
Links to her other Libguides (GIS, Data Visualization):  https://guides.lib.uci.edu/prf.php?id=5952d46c-7cdb-11ed-9922-0ad758b798c3

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 

School Nominated Fellowships – Must be nominated by your school

Faculty Mentor Program Fellowship (FMP)
The FMP Fellowship is designed to increase the number of students who complete their Ph.D. degree and successfully acquire a faculty appointment. Fellows are expected to participate in meaningful research and, eventually, developing an independent project.

  • The application deadline is April 1, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • Schools are invited to submit up to two nominations
  • The total award package this year is $57,500 to be distributed during the 2026-27 AY, Oct through June

 

President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship (PDY)
The PDY Fellowship is intended for students in their final year of graduate study, who are planning to pursue teaching and research appointments soon after their dissertation fellowship year. This award assists graduate students with the completion of their dissertation and enhances their qualifications as candidates for university faculty teaching and research appointments by providing professional opportunities needed to successfully obtain a faculty appointment.

  • The application deadline is April 1, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • Schools are invited to submit up to two nominations
  • The total award package this year is $57,500 to be distributed during the 2026-27 AY, Oct through June

 

Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship (GDDF)
The UCI Graduate Division is pleased to announce a fellowship for students nearing completion of their dissertations/thesis. The Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship, GDDF, aims to increase dissertation and thesis completion amongst doctoral and MFA students. This award is intended for students in their final year of graduate study who have a realistic expectation of degree completion during the 2025-2026 academic year. The award will allow students to forgo their non-research related employment obligations to concentrate on completing their degree.

  • The application deadline is April 1, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • The award consists of a $5,000 stipend for Summer 2026
  • Schools are invited to submit up to three nominations

 

Students Apply Directly

Dean’s Leadership Council – Community Impact Fellowship
The Community Impact Fellowship highlights and supports doctoral and MFA students whose current research shows substantial impact in the immediate vicinity of Orange County

  • The application deadline is March 4, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • Two awards in the amount of $1,000 will be made

Katherine and Robert Phalen Endowment
The Katherine and Robert Phalen Endowment is intended to highlight and support doctoral students whose current laboratory research shows future promise for preventing, treating, or understanding human disease.

  • The application deadline is March 4, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • One $3,000 award and two $500 honorable mention awards for Spring or Summer quarter


Waffarn Family Maternal Child Health Endowment
The Waffarn Family Maternal Child Health Endowment provides financial support for doctoral research on maternal, fetal, and pediatric health. It offers support to Ph.D. students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements and career goals in the above areas.

  • The application deadline is March 4, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • One $5,000 award to be used as a stipend for Spring or Summer quarter.

Tom Angell Fellowship
This fellowship is intended to honor Tom Angell’s contributions as our Graduate Counselor to graduate student wellness and retention. The award is open to graduate students, faculty, and postdoctoral scholars.

  • The application deadline is March 4, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • One $500 fellowship award will be made to one graduate student; one $500 award will be made to one faculty member; and one $500 award will be made to one postdoctoral scholar. The faculty award must be used as a fellowship to a student of the faculty’s choice.

Graduate Scholar Success Fund
The Graduate Scholar Success Fund was established with the goal of supporting first-generation students who are facing urgent financial need. This emergency funding aims to reduce financial stress and foster success amongst first-generation students at UC Irvine.

  • Fellowship awards consist of a $1,000 stipend and are intended for situations where the funds are intended for immediate use (current quarter).
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the winter quarter

 

Tyler’s Tribe Foundation Endowment for ALS Research
The Tyler’s Tribe Foundation Endowment for ALS Research, supported by the Tyler’s Tribe Foundation, provides fellowship awards to graduate students conducting research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This includes work on treatment, diagnosis, prevention, medical device innovation, and improving end-of-life care. As neurodegenerative diseases like ALS continue to rise, the fellowship helps support the next generation of researchers committed to advancing care and accelerating breakthroughs for those affected by this devastating condition.

  • Students may submit an application by March 4, 2026 by 5:00pm PST
  • One fellow will be selected to receive a $1,000 stipend each to be used during Spring or Summer quarter 

Dean’s Recent Alumni Fellowship
This fellowship aims at easing the transition from graduate school into full-time careers either in academia or other industries. While the fellowship is unpaid, a recipient of this fellowship will receive access to resources that will pay immense dividends going forward and was developed in consultation with young professionals and alumni to provide resources they wished they had access to while in graduate school. Click above for more information and to apply.

  • Deadline: Rolling

 

More information regarding funding opportunities is located on the Graduate Division Fellowships page and the 2025-26 Funding Timeline.

 

External Funding Opportunities

ETS Scholarship Opportunities Available:

Lenora M. Green Scholarship
• Who it supports: A graduate student demonstrating outstanding commitment to civic engagement and advocacy for individuals who have been systematically excluded
• Award amount: $20,000
• Apply at: Lenora M. Green Scholarship

 

Robert “Bob” Moses Scholarship
• Who it supports: A graduate student from an underrepresented group pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in mathematics education or a STEM discipline
• Award amount: $20,000
• Apply at: Robert Moses Scholarship

Dr. Lillian M. Lowery Scholarship
• Who it supports: A student pursuing a master’s degree in education who embodies a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for all students
• Award amount: $20,000
• Apply at: Lillian M. Lowery Scholarship

ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students
• Who it supports: Eight outstanding juniors and seniors attending a public or private Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
• Award amount: $15,000
• Apply at: HBCU Scholarship

More information regarding funding opportunities is located on the Graduate Division Fellowships page and the 2025-26 Funding Timeline.

All the best,

Jaymi Lee Smith
Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Interim Dean of the Graduate Division