UC GLOBAL FOOD INITIATIVE
AY2023-2024 FELLOWSHIPS @ BERKELEY LAB
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) offers student fellowships that allow two University of California undergraduate or graduate students (18 years or older) to work with Berkeley Lab scientists on critical research projects related to the UC Global Food Initiative, during the Academic Year Fall 2023 – Spring 2024
PAST FELLOWS:
From L-R: D.Patel (2018), M. Hart Kapic (2018), A. Jadhav (2017), S. Emallah (2017), K. Jagannathan (2015-2017), L. Shariq (2015-2016), S. Matzen (2016-2017), H. Yasini (2016-2017). Not pictured: M. Stitzer (2015-2016), D. Tolley (2015-2016).
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
The University of California Global Food Initiative (GFI) addresses one of the critical issues of our time: how to sustainably and nutritiously feed a world population expected to reach eight billion by 2025. UC GFI aims to leverage the expertise and capabilities across all 10 UC campuses, UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), and Berkeley Lab to develop, demonstrate, and export solutions throughout California, the United States, and the world for food security, health and sustainability. The GFI fellowships support research related to UC Global Food Initiative in collaboration with scientific staff at Berkeley Lab.
Projects focused on mining existing data for insights on California agriculture and its response to climate are particularly encouraged. Proposed projects must be focused and achievable, and substantially complete by mid-May 2024.
System-wide activities for the program will begin with an orientation in July 2023, to be held virtually. System-wide activities will also include a spring field trip, and a closing symposium and poster presentation to be held in conjunction with the CA Higher Education Sustainability Conference in July 2024. Please note, all GFI Fellows are expected to attend the system-wide events.
The UC President’s Global Food Initiative Student Fellowship is enabled by the UC Office of the President and by the support of the Berkeley Lab’s Earth & Environmental Sciences Area.
UC GFI Fellowship Opportunity
Berkeley Lab will receive $6,000 to fund two recipients at $3,000 each to qualified University of California undergraduates and graduate students (18 years or older), during the 2023-2024 Academic Year.
Contacts
Peter Nico, UC GFI Berkeley Lab Program Lead
Sandy Chin, UC GFI Berkeley Lab Liaison
KEY DATES:
Application Deadline: June 1, 2023
Notice of Award: June 30, 2023
Program Dates: AY2023-24 (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)
GFI Student Fellows are expected to attend the following events:
Virtual Orientation: July 2023 - date TBD
GFI Field Trip: TBD
Closing Symposium/Poster Session: July 2024 - date TBD
Other system-wide events as scheduled
Appointment Term and Benefits
Successful applicants will serve during the 2022-2023 academic year. The fellowship recipient will receive an honorarium of up to $3,000. Depending on the research project, the recipient will have access to computational resources (computer and computing facility resources), a desk, lab or field instrumentation, and work space, and will receive training in techniques, applications and equipment.
Fellowship Participant Expectations
It is expected that UC President’s Global Food Initiative Student Fellowship participants will work in close collaboration with Berkeley Lab staff to carry out innovative research related to the UC Global Food Initiative. In addition, participants will present posters at a UC system wide symposium in July 2024 (date to be determined).
Eligibility
Berkeley Lab accepts applications from University of California undergraduates and graduate students (18 years or older). Applicants must be enrolled in one of the 10 University of California campuses at the time of application. Please note: Berkeley Lab is part of the federally supported U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory system. Therefore some applicants may require special processing that may impact the ability for the candidate to begin the project on time.
Selection Criteria and Process
Candidates will be selected based on eligibility and applicant statements. The overriding consideration of the selection committee will be initiative and promise demonstrated by the candidate.
How to Apply
Applicants must first identify a Berkeley Lab mentor and are welcome to reach out to Peter Nico, Berkeley Lab UC GFI Program Lead, for assistance in identifying a suitable mentor.
The applicant must then complete this application form which includes:
Statement of related experience and skills
Description of the proposed project (short, e.g 500 words or less)
Name of Berkeley Lab Mentor
Additional Information
About the UC Global Food Initiative: http://ucop.edu/initiatives/global-food-initiative.html
About Berkeley Lab: http://www.lbl.gov
For more fellowship opportunities and other educational and research internship programs at Berkeley Lab also visit the Workforce Development & Education Office website: http://education.lbl.gov/