Ignite Scholars

• Applicants must be enrolled, bachelor’s degree-seeking students at UC Berkeley in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year, and are enrolled for the duration of their time in the Bakar Ignite Scholars Program. International students are welcome to apply as long as they are currently enrolled and plan to earn their degree from UC Berkeley.
• Students who have graduated in the spring are not eligible to apply for the following summer semester. Students who have graduated in the fall are not eligible to apply for the following spring semester.
• Students of all STEM+ majors and years are eligible to apply. However, desired skills and experience will vary per project. Please read the full project descriptions on the Discovery Hub before you apply to ensure you are a good fit.
• Previous Ignite Scholars are not eligible to reapply.

During an open application cycle, you will find our listing on the Discovery Hub. This listing will include several projects, each requiring different academic backgrounds, skills, and experiences. Read each project description carefully and select one to apply to. The direct link to the application form will be available in the Discovery Hub listing.

As we review your application, you may be invited to join an interview with the Faculty or Innovation Fellow(s) leading the project. Please keep an eye on your email in case we send you an interview request. If you do not receive an interview request, don’t be discouraged! Some of our Fellows may prefer not to conduct interviews.

You will receive notice of your application decision via email. This typically happens a couple of weeks after the application deadline has passed.

Once you are selected for the program, you will be invited to arrange a work schedule with the Faculty or Innovation Fellow(s). Specific start and end dates are flexible, as are hours worked during the week. However, you are expected to complete around 125 hours of research by the end of the semester. We suggest a schedule of 10-12 hours a week for 10 weeks.

Most students will receive a stipend of $2500 at the conclusion of the program. Depending on your status, we may pay you as an hourly employee ($20 an hour).

In addition to participating in research, Ignite Scholars will join an exclusive virtual community of undergraduate innovators. Ignite Scholars will be expected to submit occasional discussion posts regarding what they have learned and what progress they have made. We also host annual networking events for Ignite Scholars to explore synergies and meet faculty and industry experts.