Gardner Program

About the Gardner Program

Named in honor of UC President Emeritus David P. Gardner, the Gardner Program supports UC graduate students conducting research and pursuing professional careers in higher education. Originally launched as the Gardner Seminar in 2016 for UC Berkeley doctoral students, the program expanded systemwide during the 2020 pandemic to include doctoral students from all UC campuses who study higher education.

Starting 2025, the Gardner Program will be in a new structure to strengthen CSHE’s commitment to UC Berkeley graduate students while continuing to build a vibrant  network of UC graduate scholars dedicated to the study of higher education.

The Gardner Program now offers two distinct opportunities:

  • Gardner Fellowship – available to UC Berkeley graduate students

  • Gardner Seminar – open to doctoral students from across the UC system

research funding

Gardner Fellowship for Doctoral Students

This fellowship supports UC Berkeley doctoral students conducting research related to higher education. Fellows come from a wide range of academic disciplines and contribute to a deeper understanding of higher education through original research.

Award

The fellowship provides up to $5,000 in funding to support student research projects. Funds may be used for specific research needs, including but are not limited to: 

  • Acquiring data

  • Purchasing services (e.g., transcription, survey fees)

  • Participant compensation

  • Travel required for completion of research (e.g., to conduct participant interviews)

Notes: - Funds may not be used for salary, tuition, or fees. 

             - This award may affect your financial aid. 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled and in good standing in a PhD program at UC Berkeley

  • Be in residence (remote work permitted) and not on leave during the fellowship period

Application

Applicants should clearly describe how their project addresses one or more issues in higher education. Strong proposals typically include well-defined research questions, theoretical frameworks, and methodology.

To apply, please submit the following materials to cshe@berkeley.edu

  • A description of the research project (up to four pages, double-spaced)

  • A CV (up to two pages)

  • A budget plan

  • A list of other sources of financial support

  • An unofficial UC Berkeley transcript

  • A recommendation letter from a faculty advisor 

Fellowship Deliverables

  • Fellows will present their research at the CSHE Grad Student Symposium in spring 2026.

  • Fellows will also be invited to contribute a publication to CSHE’s Research and Occasional Paper Series (ROPS).

Application Deadline:

The research award applications will be reviewed twice during the academic year. 

  • Fall deadline: August 15, 2025
  • Spring deadline: February 15, 2026

Gardner Fellowship for Master Students

This fellowship supports UC Berkeley Goldman School MPP, MPA, and MDP students whose innovative projects advance the Center’s mission of illuminating higher education through impactful research and policy insights.

Award

Award amounts will be determined based on individual project needs, with a strong commitment to ensuring that Fellows are fully funded to execute their Capstone projects effectively.

Eligibility

  • GSPP MPP, MPA, and MDP students planning to complete their Capstone Project on higher education and have already identified their clients and capstone topics 
  • Due to limited funding, students whose capstones are already fully funded are not eligible

Application

Applicants are required to fill out an application form(link is external), which requires the following information:

  • Project Title

  • Client Name 

  • A 1-2 page description of the project and the intended output

  • How the CSHE fund will be used

  • Details on any existing funding the applicant has already secured for the project

Selected students will be asked to demonstrate the client’s endorsement of the project plan, via a short reference letter. These letters are not needed at this time, but will be solicited after selection.

Fellowship Deliverables

  • Fellows will present their research at the CSHE Grad Student Symposium in spring 2026.
  • Fellows will be invited to turn their capstone reports into policy briefs to be considered for the CSHE Research and Occasional Paper Series (ROPS). 

Application Deadline 

TBD

Gardner Seminar

CSHE also hosts a Gardner Seminar Series that is open to all UC doctoral students. This small, discussion-based group will meet once a month for interactive sessions on topics related to higher education research, professional development, and emerging issues in the field. Each session will be designed to foster dialogue, peer exchange, and connection across UC campuses. 

For more information and application process, please visit the Gardner Seminar webpage.