Homepage
Accelerating the translation of university research
The Bakar Fellows Program at UC Berkeley accelerates important research discoveries and innovations out of the lab and into the hands of people who need them most.
What We Do
The Bakar Fellows Program at UC Berkeley fosters entrepreneurship in the STEM+ fields including engineering, computer science, chemistry, biological sciences, physical sciences, architecture, and more.
Program Overview
UC Berkeley faculty with promising projects that are more advanced than basic research, but not quite to the point of commercialization, are awarded research support to translate their discoveries and innovations.
Research support is provided through two awards: the Bakar Award (previously called Spark Awards) and AIC-Bakar Award. The Bakar Prize program, which ran from 2018 – 2022 is no longer accepting applicants. However, currently funded recipients remain active and supported.
The Bakar Fellows Program also supports undergraduate student research through the Bakar Ignite Scholars Program.
The Program in Numbers
Ranging from new products to platform technologies
Supporting Bakar Fellows and Bakar Prize recipients since 2012
Supported across 16 different academic departments
Supported as graduate students, postdocs and project scientists
Gaining real-world experience as undergraduates
Our Awards
Our awards are designed to accelerate faculty-led research to tangible, positive societal impact through commercialization.
The Bakar Fellows program accepts new applications annually. An application will automatically be considered for both Bakar Award and AIC-Bakar Award programs. Applications are now open! Click here to view the application.
Our Fellows Programs
Faculty Fellows are UC Berkeley and UCSF Faculty who have received a Bakar Award (formerly Spark Awards), AIC-Bakar Award, or Bakar Prize.
Innovation Fellows are graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or project scientists working on projects with Faculty Fellows who have received any of the above awards.
Ignite Scholars are undergraduate students who apply separately to work in a Bakar Fellow’s Lab.
Meet our Fellows
We have a vibrant community of scholars who are committed to turning their research into real-world solutions. Click here to get to know them and their projects!
Spotlight
David Schaffer, Faculty Director of Bakar Fellows Program, Elected to National Academy of Engineers
Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering practice, research or education. This includes the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, development/implementation of innovative approaches to engineering education, or engineering leadership.
Daniel Nomura Selected as Editor-in-Chief of the AACR Journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
“Dr. Nomura is an innovative scientist who is extremely well versed in emerging cancer therapeutics, including small molecules, biologics, vaccines, and cell therapies,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. “His expertise makes him an excellent choice for editor-in-chief of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. The AACR is thrilled to work with him in this important role.”
