Students in the College of Biological Sciences are eligible for many different awards and scholarships that are made possible by philanthropy. Applications are open at varying times, and recipients are honored during an annual ceremony that coincides with spring commencement.
Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards
- Alden S. Crafts Scholarship
The Alden S. Crafts Scholarship was established by the Department of Botany to honor Crafts upon his retirement from the department in 1964. The award is open to students who are pursuing studies in the biological sciences with an emphasis in plant sciences.
- Alys Hay Travel Award
- The Alys Hay Travel Award supports both undergraduate and graduate student travel, to allow participation in unique opportunities that include conferences, workshops, courses, and other academic or professional ventures that help advance their skills, knowledge, and/or professional network.
Alys Hay Travel Award Application - Annette Catamec and Paul Gallez Scholarship*
- This Scholarship supports undergraduate students in the College of Biological Sciences who demonstrate financial need.
- Barbara Horwitz and John Horowitz Undergraduate Scholarship in Physiology
- The Barbara Horwitz and John Horowitz Undergraduate Scholarship in Physiology is awarded annually to an undergraduate student in CBS who is studying physiology. The recipient must have declared a major and completed at least 50 units of science courses that meet that major’s requirements.
Barbara Horwitz and John Horowitz Undergraduate Scholarship in Physiology Application - Bentley J. Moyer ’84 Endowed College of Biological Sciences First-Generation Student Award
This award supports undergraduate students in the College of Biological Sciences who are first-generation and demonstrate financial need.
- Dan and Sharon Riggs Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Undergraduate Support*
- Provides support for undergraduate students and related activities in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics to enhance the undergraduate student experience.
- Debbie and Rick Yaver Scholarship in Molecular and Medical Microbiology
- The Debbie and Rick Yaver Scholarship in Molecular and Medical Microbiology provides support to one or more junior or senior first-generation CBS students who are majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology in recognition of their academic achievement.
Debbie and Rick Yaver Scholarship in Molecular and Medical Microbiology Application - Dennis Walker Fund for the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory
- The Dennis Walker Fund for the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory provides a stipend for one or more undergraduate employees at the botanical conservatory each year. Application are not required. Awards are given at the discretion of the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory.
- Gary D. Hori STEM Award
- The Gary D. Hori STEM Award provides support to any CBS undergraduate student who is entering their junior or senior year and majoring in Biological Sciences.
Gary D. Hori STEM Award Application - George and Ann Lin Honors Scholarship
- This scholarship is given to a first- or second- year student who participates in the University Honors Program and has a major in the College of Biological Sciences.
- Henry and Norma Hom Scholarship
The Henry and Norma Hom Scholarship provides support to first-generation undergraduate students majoring in the College of Biological Science. The students may be either first-year, upper division continuing students, or continuing transfer students.
- Janice Ann Kolberg, Ph.D. Scholarship*
- The Janice Ann Kolberg, Ph.D. Scholarship supports participants in the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program, and was established to build a more equitable world by empowering vulnerable students to succeed academically and professionally.
- John and Jeanne Pryor Educational Support Award
The John and Jeanne Pryor Educational Support Award provides support to undergraduate students from Monterey County who are studying biological sciences at UC Davis and have the grade point average required to qualify for a UC Davis scholarship.
- Kathleen C. Green Scholarship in Biology
- This scholarship honors Green’s career as a biologist and is awarded to undergraduate students based on a combination of outstanding scholastic achievement and financial need. The scholarship encourages applications from students with junior or senior standing who have demonstrated an interest in advancing gender equity in science.
Kathleen C. Green Scholarship in Biology Application - Kathryn S. Hinchee-Rodriguez, Ph.D. Award
- The Kathryn S. Hinchee-Rodriguez Ph.D. Award is open to undergraduate students who are eligible for support from the Student Disability Center to enable and enhance their research opportunities. Inquire with the Department of Plant Biology for more information about this award and its application process.
- Katrina K. Hoyer and Shane G. Smith Family Scholarship
The Katrina K. Hoyer and Shane G. Smith Family Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who grew up in Shasta, Merced or Sacramento, demonstrate exemplary skills in scientific writing and are a major in the College of Biological Sciences.
- Kevin and Carol Brink Scholarship*
- The Kevin and Carol Brink Scholarship is open to CBS students who are majoring in plant biology and have demonstrated financial need. Students who are the first in their families to attend college are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Liliane D. Wells Scholarship
The Liliane D. Wells Scholarship provides support for undergraduate students who are studying plant biology and have a demonstrated financial need.
- Life Sciences Impact Scholarship*
- This Scholarship supports students within the College of Biological Sciences who demonstrate financial need. It is intended to empower the next generation of leaders, providing them with the opportunity to pursue their education and make a lasting impact.
- Lois and John Crowe Scholarship
- The Lois and John Crowe Scholarship Supports one or more CBS majors each year on the basis of academic excellence.
Lois and John Crowe Scholarship Application - Louise and Eric Conn Undergraduate Scholarship in Biochemistry
The Louise and Eric Conn Scholarship in Biochemistry is an annual award that is open to students at the University of California, Davis who are majoring in biochemistry.
- Mark Presky and Marsha Saltman Biological Sciences Scholarship
- This scholarship provides support to undergraduate students within CBS.
- Milauskas Family Scholarship
The Milauskas Family Scholarships are awarded to students in the College of Biological Sciences on the basis of academic excellence and exceptional promise.
- Morris Wong, DDS Memorial Fund*
- The Morris Wong, DDS Memorial Fund supports students in the College of Biological Sciences, with a focus on those who are the first in their families to attend college.
- Nancy Hsieh Microbiology Scholarship
This Scholarship supports students, who are majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology, demonstrating financial need, and with a preference for junior or senior standing.
- Nieland Family Award
- The Nieland Family Award supports undergraduate students in the Department of Evolution and Ecology. Inquire with the Department of Evolution and Ecology for more information about this award and its application process.
- Robert A. Kucer Student Research Award*
- The award supports one or more students who conduct laboratory research under the direction of a faculty member. The research should incorporate the biological sciences and be related to human health. Preference is given to students who attended high school in the San Francisco Bay area.
- Robert Thornton Memorial Award
The Robert Thornton Memorial Award is given annually to one or more outstanding undergraduate students in the Department of Plant Biology with an interest in pursuing a career in a biotechnology-related field.
- Robyn L. Smith Family Scholarship
- The Robyn L. Smith Family Scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding incoming freshmen with a declared major in the College of Biological Sciences, a GPA of 3.5 or higher and a demonstrated financial need.
Robyn L. Smith Family Scholarship Application - Steve and Tammy Conston Scholarship
The Steve and Tammy Conston Scholarship provides support to College of Biological Sciences undergraduates who have a demonstrated financial need.
- To and Yen Nguyen Family Scholarship Endowment Support Fund
- This scholarship provides support to undergraduate students within CBS.
- Verne E. and Katrinka G. Mendel Scholarship
The Verne E. and Katrinka G. Mendel Scholarship supports undergraduate students in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior.
- Vernon and Linda Mar Family Scholarship
This Scholarship supports students within the College of Biological Sciences with demonstrated financial need and self-identify as first-generation college students.
**Planned gift for future administration.
Undergraduate Research Awards
- Alumni to Aggie Summer Research Award
- The Alumni to Aggie Summer Research Award provides support for students participating in the CBS Dean’s Circle Undergraduate Research Program, and who are conducting research in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and/or biomedical engineering.
Alumni to Aggie Summer Research Award Application - CBS Dean’s Circle Summer Undergraduate Research Award
- The CBS Dean’s Circle Summer Undergraduate Research Award is open to College of Biological Sciences majors who are in good standing at the end of their freshman, sophomore or junior year and conducting their research in the laboratory of a college faculty member.CBS Dean’s Circle Summer Undergraduate Research AwardApplication
- Charles and Nancy Cooper Experiential Learning Fund
- This Fund supports the College of Biological Sciences’ undergraduate experiential learning program, including individual awards for CBS students who have an interest in gaining research experience.
Charles and Nancy Cooper Experiential Learning Fund Application - David and Pamela Louie Undergraduate Research Opportunity Fund*
- Established in memory of their daughter and CBS alumna, Monica Louie, this fund supports students participating in the CBS Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
- Dr. Ronald J. Smith P'11 and Robyn L. Smith '11 Quantitative Biology Research Award
- This Award supports undergraduate students who have an interest in gaining research experience in quantitative biology in the College of Biological Sciences.
Dr. Ronald J. Smith P'11 and Robyn L. Smith '11 Quantitative Biology Research Award Application - Eschscholzia Learning Award
- The Eschscholzia Learning Award expands access to hands-on research experiences for students who have overcome significant barriers in their educational journey. The award supports opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge needed to address real-world problems, launch their own research projects and prepare for their careers. The award encourages applications from students whose backgrounds are historically underrepresented in biological sciences, while remaining open to all eligible students. Inquire with the Department of Plant Biology for more information about this award and its application process.
- Jack Major Memorial Award
- The Jack Major Memorial Award recognizes excellence in the study of plant biology, and supports student field research in botany, especially in the areas of plant ecology, plant systematics, or plant geography. The award is annual, and given to either an undergraduate or graduate student. Application are not required. Awards are given at the discretion of the UC Davis Botanical Society.
- John Cuppoletti and Danuta H. Malinowska Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- The John Cuppoletti and Danuta H. Malinowska Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology provides support to undergraduates with a declared major in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Students who are first in their families to attend college, who transferred from a two-year college, or who have overcome significant educational or personal barriers are encouraged to apply are strongly encouraged to apply.
John Cuppoletti and Danuta H. Malinowska Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Application - John R. Roth Undergraduate Research Award
- In honor of Professor Emeritus John R. Roth from the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics for his career, service, and contributions to UC Davis, this award will support one or more undergraduate research awards to those Microbiology majors.
- Kendra M. Chan Award
- The Kendra M. Chan Award provide undergraduate student research opportunities for students with a declared major in evolution, ecology and biodiversity and/or marine and coastal science within the College of Biological Sciences. Inquire with the Department of Evolution and Ecology for more information about this award and its application process.
- Larry and Charlotte Mitich Memorial Fund
- The Larry and Charlotte Mitich Memorial Fund supports field research in botany, especially in the areas of plant ecology, plant systematics, or horticulture. This support will be given in the form of an annual student award to either an undergraduate or graduate student. Application are not required. Awards are given at the discretion of the UC Davis Botanical Society.
- Raymond L. Rodriguez Undergraduate Research Award
- The Raymond L. Rodriguez Undergraduate Research Award supports research opportunities for College of Biological Sciences majors who have achieved sophomore standing or above and have an interest in gaining research experience either over the summer or an academic quarter.
Raymond L. Rodriguez Undergraduate Research Award Application - Roy H. Doi Undergraduate Research Award
- The Roy H. Doi Undergraduate Research Award provides support to sophomore- to senior-standing students who are CBS majors and conducting research in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Students who are the first in their families to attend college and who have a demonstrated financial need are strongly encouraged to apply.
Roy H. Doi Undergraduate Research AwardApplication - Ruth K. Pryer and Nancy K. Pryer Undergraduate Opportunity Fund
- The Opportunity is open to College of Biological Sciences majors who are in good standing at the end of their freshman, sophomore or junior year and conducting research in the laboratory of a college faculty member.
Ruth K. Pryer and Nancy K. Pryer Undergraduate Opportunity Fund Application - Stacey Roberts and Michael Lassner Award
- The Stacey Roberts and Michael Lassner Award supports one undergraduate UC Davis student of sophomore or junior standing each academic year who is interested in applying modern technology to agriculture or plant sciences in its broadest terms.
Stacey Roberts and Michael Lassner Award Application
*This fund will be administered in Summer 2027.
Graduating Senior Awards
- CBS Distinguished Scholar Award
- The CBS Distinguished Scholar Award is also known as the Outstanding Performance Citation. It is noted on final transcripts and awarded to graduating seniors who have conducted substantial research before graduation and maintained an upper division GPA of at least 3.5.
CBS Distinguished Scholar Award Application - College of Biological Sciences Medal
- The College of Biological Sciences Medal honors one graduating senior in biological sciences for scholastic excellence each year. Only graduating seniors are eligible for the CBS medal. Applications are not required. Candidates are selected from existing award applicant pools.
- Ronald and Lydia Baskin Research Award
- The Ron and Lydia Baskin Research Award is given to two graduating seniors for excellence in research in the biological sciences in any of the four colleges at UC Davis. Areas such as biophysics, biochemistry, biomathematics, and bioengineering are specifically included.
Ronald and Lydia Baskin Research Award Application - Rost Family Biology K-12 Ed Scholarship
- The Rost Family Scholarship supports one graduating senior each year who graduates with a major in the College of Biological Sciences. The graduating senior must be committed to becoming a K-12 science teacher following graduation and has been accepted into a teaching credential program.
Rost Family Biology K-12 Ed Scholarship Application - Undergraduate Student of the Year
- The Undergraduate of the Year honors one graduating senior in biological sciences for scholastic excellence each year. Only graduating seniors are eligible for this award. Applications are not required. Candidates are selected from existing award applicant pools.