We highly value diversity in our cohorts and encourage qualified international students to apply to our program. For every international student accepted, our department puts every effort into putting together an attractive funding package. However, as both the University and the Department of Sociology have limited resources to support incoming students, we strongly encourage students to apply for outside fellowship support. Many international students have successfully financed every year of their graduate study through a combination of departmental and university-level funds, extramural fellowships, awards from their countries, and departmental employment.
To find out more detailed information regarding fellowships and financial aid at UC Berkeley, we suggest looking on the Graduate Division website: http://grad.berkeley.edu/financial/index.shtml
To find out more information on how to finance your graduate career, you can see if there’s an EducationUSA center in your home country. EducationUSA is supported by the U.S. Department of State, with over 400 advising centers set up around the globe to help you learn more about the American higher education system. Often they are aware of fellowship opportunities available in your home country or through other organizations which will help fund your study in the U.S..
Below is a list of fellowships that we encourage international students apply to before coming to the United States:
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, this program brings students of other countries to the United States to study for Master’s or Ph.D. study at U.S. universities. Funding usually covers one year of study with stipend for living expenses and university fees.
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
Amount: Maximum of $10,000 annually
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund is for female graduate students pursuing full time study in the US or Canada who have at least one full year of their program remaining and promise to return to their home country upon completing their degree. Several UC Berkeley graduate students have received this renewable scholarship in the past.
Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation Research Grant
Grants are awarded to support research that increases the understanding and amelioration of urgent problems of violence, aggression, and dominance in the modern world. The foundation is particularly interested in these problems in relation to social change; the socialization of children, intergroup conflict, drug trafficking and use, and family relationships; as well as the control of aggression and violence. Grants up to $15,000 to $40,000 per year for periods of one or two years.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships
57 fellowships will be awarded for full-time study or research to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate study at accredited institutions are supported.
China Scholarship Council / University of California (CSC/UC) Doctoral Fellowships
These fellowships are annually available through the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to the Chinese students who would be admitted as prospective doctoral students by University of California. CSC is a non-profit institution affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China with the responsibilities of managing Chinese government scholarship programs.
International Graduate Student Parent Grant
All registered international graduate students who have a child living with them in the Bay Area are eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded based on financial need and changes in the applicant's financial situation. Applications are accepted during the Graduate Student Financial Aid application period.
When you apply for admission to the Department, you are automatically considered for the following university-level fellowships:
Eltoukhy East-West Gateway Fellowship
The Eltoukhy East-West Gateway Fellowship provides first year or continuing doctoral students at UC Berkeley with tuition and fee waiver, US $5,000 stipend, and an academic year of single occupancy room and board and intercultural activities at International House. Priority is given to students affiliated with Egypt or other countries of the Middle East.
EWJ Gateway Fellowship
Established in 2004, this fellowship aims to increase the number of international students at Berkeley and supports incoming or continuing doctoral students pursuing studies in any academic field of study for up to two consecutive years. Support includes free room and board at International House for the academic year as well as fees and tuition from the student's department and a $5,000 stipend from the University of California.
Adrian Hao Yin Ü Gateway Fellowship
This fund will support incoming doctoral students giving the highest priority to students who are graduates of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. If there is no such qualified recipient in a given year, the preference will be given to graduates from universities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or China. This fellowship supports for up to two consecutive years, providing tuition and fee waivers,a $5,000 stipend per year, and free room and board at the International House for the academic year.
The Daniel Mouen-Makoua Term Gateway Fellowship
This fellowship provides free academic year room and board at International House, tuition and fees waivers, and a $5,000 stipend from the University. Students who are citizens of or otherwise have strong affiliation with Sub-Saharan Africa will be given the highest priority.
Norway House Foundation Term Gateway Fellowship
This opportunity is open to Norwegian nationals with demonstrated financial need, with preference given to descendents of Norwegian World War II seamen and merchant marines. Support includes free I-House room and board for the academic year, tuition and fees waivers, and a $5,000 stipend per year.
The Emeka Kalu Ezera Fellowship in African Studies
The Ezera Fellowship gives priority to graduate students from West Africa who show exceptional promise of advancing scholarship in African Studies in the social sciences, humanities, and public policy and who demonstrate strong leadership potential. Currently, grants from the Ezera fund will be in the $500 to $1000 range. A total of no more than two years of support will be provided to a recipient of this fellowship.