Financial Support
Annual Stipend
The School of Biological Sciences provides Ph.D. students with a financial support package which includes tuition, required fees, and monthly support.
Monthly support may take the form of employment-based support or stipend payment support, which is not contingent upon an employment arrangement.
Beginning Spring quarter of year 1, financial support for matriculating students will also be contingent upon maintaining eligibility for employment, including work authorization, completion of relevant trainings, and other School and Campus employment requirements. Work authorization is also required to complete program required TA assignments.
International students receive the same level of support as domestic students.
Financial support for incoming students is detailed in admission letters and summarized in the table below:
| Monthly Support1 | Minimally equivalent to a 50% GSR, Step 3 or 50% TA, Step 1 |
|---|---|
| Graduate Registration Fees2 | Paid at current campus rate |
1During terms of employment, compensation will be governed by the collective bargaining agreement(s) which cover your employment title. Refer also to Student Academic Title Pay Rates.
2Includes payment of health insurance.
Residency
The Program will pay only 1 year of non-resident tuition for US citizens who are non-California residents. It is the responsibility of the non-resident student to become an official resident of the State of California by the end of their first year in order to be exempt from out-of-state tuition in subsequent years.
International Students: Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition will be waived for international students once they have passed their Qualifying Examination and Advanced to Candidacy (usually at the end of their third year). The Program will pay the non-resident tuition for international students for three years or until they advance to candidacy, (whichever occurs first).
Fellowships
Students are expected to apply for extramural predoctoral fellowships such as those offered by the National Science Foundation, Ford Foundation, etc., in addition to those administered by the University.
UC San Diego Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) Fellowship Information
Grant Writing Resources
UCSD's Office of Contract and Grants Administration (OCGA) offers tools to both faculty and graduate students to help in the grant writing process.
Professional Travel Opportunities
The School of Biological Sciences encourages students to travel to scientific meetings and considers such meetings an important educational experience. However, travel can be supported only when adequate funding is available.
In general, the Division's travel policy is as follows:
- Second-year students receive $300, or $500 if they are presenting.
- Third-year students and beyond are eligible for travel support of $500.
- Any above amount that exceeds the maximum allowance is the student's and/or their advisor's responsibility. The annual allowance does not carry forward to the next academic year (July 1-June 30). In addition, the next year's allowance cannot be used to pay current year expenses. For details review the Fiscal Policies Section.
Biology Founding Faculty Award for Graduate Excellence in Research
Every year, a prize of $800-$1000 will be awarded to a Ph.D. student who is the first author of a paper or poster in the preceding academic year.
- Students will nominate themselves, not their P.I.(s).
- Students will send their submission by e-mail by May 1st.
- The winner will be announced by June 1st.
- A committee of Emeritus Biology faculty will judge the submission for the award. This committee will have members from all four of the sections of the Division.
- A ceremony presenting the award will be held in January at a luncheon at the Faculty Club.
- A framed photo of the winner will be on permanent display on a wall in Bonner Hall, just outside the seminar rooms.
- Publicity of the award and the winner will entail press releases and photographs.
For more information, please contact Graduate Student and Instructional Services, biogradprog@ucsd.edu.