Students in the UC Davis Department of Political Science have access to hundreds of scholarships of various types, not all of which are dependent upon demonstration of financial need. Many scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and scholarly potential.
The UC Davis Undergraduate and Prestigious Scholarship Office administers $6 million in scholarships for which undergraduate students can apply. In addition, several scholarships specific to students within the Department of Political Science have been established.
Merit is the primary basis for awarding scholarships, but other criteria also can apply. Eligibility for some scholarships may be determined by participation in extracurricular activities; career interests; geographic origin; high school or community college attended; parentage; perseverance; or other conditions or characteristics.
Here are the scholarships designated for undergraduate students in majors within the Department of Political Science.
- Clyde Jacobs & Larry Peterman Award
The Department of Political Science, along with faculty and friends of Professor Clyde Jacobs, established this award in Professor Jacobs' honor on the occasion of his retirement in 1984, to be awarded to a graduating senior with demonstrated scholarly abilities. In 2008, the name of this award was expanded to memorialize Professor Larry Peterman. It is now formally known as the Clyde Jacobs and Larry Peterman Distinguished Scholar Award.
Both Clyde Jacobs and Larry Peterman were longtime members of the UC Davis Department of Political Science faculty. Professor Clyde Jacobs was the first faculty member hired in the Department of Political Science in 1952, and he continued to teach in the department until his retirement. Professor Larry Peterman joined the department faculty in 1967 and continued to teach until his passing in 2008.
Professors Jacobs and Peterman shared a passion for undergraduate teaching, and encouraged undergraduate students to strive for excellence in their educational endeavors.
Requirements for nomination
• minimum overall UC Davis grade-point average of 3.5
• major within the Department of Political Science
• graduating senior
• evidence of excellence
• awarded at PS Student Awards Ceremony
• research paper for consideration of award solicited based on GPATo be considered for the 2025 award, please follow these instructions:
Submit your best political science research paper as an email attachment to: Jacobs_.00n2gk4em0kkwilh@u.box.com.
Title the file “Last Name, First Name”, e.g. “Jacobs, Clyde”.
The research paper must have been graded in a Political Science course on the UC Davis campus and the file must include the course number, faculty member’s name, and the faculty member’s comments. Feedback from a faculty member on the research paper is required in order for the submission to be considered.
Please note research submissions from UC Center Sacramento seminars unfortunately cannot be considered.
Please note the e-mail provided will upload your file directly to a Box folder for the scholarship reviewers. Only the attachment (your paper) will upload for review; nothing in the body of the e-mail will be uploaded.
Submissions are due no later than Monday, April 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm.
- UC Davis Alumni Supporting Public Service Award
The award is tasked with providing support to UC Davis undergraduate students who are participating in public service internship opportunities in the Sacramento region. Though UC Davis is located close to the California State Capitol, many UC Davis students are financially unable to take advantage of the many opportunities for public service offered therein. It is the donors’ hope that the award will make public service internships more accessible to undergraduates regardless of financial circumstance and will encourage students to seek out careers and contributions to public service.
Requirements for nomination• minimum overall UC Davis grade-point average of 3.5
• have completed, or commit to completing in the future, POL 192A/B internship units
• demonstrate financial need
To be considered for this award, please follow these instructions:
Submit a Word or PDF document stating the responsibilities and location of your internship as well as your expected graduation term as an email attachment to Alumni_.5nlwncr8m5s8rmhr@u.box.com. Title the file “[Last name], [First name] Statement,” e.g. “Clark, Anna Statement”.
- - If you plan to participate in an internship for credit in the future, including if you plan to participate in the UC Center Sacramento program, please submit a document (max 500 words) sharing what your ideal internship would be, any offices or entities you would like to work with, and what you hope to learn or gain from this internship.
If you have already completed POL 192A/B internship units, also submit an unofficial transcript showing your enrollment in POL 192A/B internship units, file titled “[Last name] [First name] Transcript”.
Receipt of the award is contingent upon successful completion of POL 192A/B internship units.
Qualifying internship experience must have been or will be in the Sacramento region.
You may apply if you have previously participated in the UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) or Quarter at Aggie Square internship programs; however, you must demonstrate that your internship was related to public service.
Please note the e-mail provided will upload your files directly to a Box folder for the scholarship reviewers. Only the attachments will upload for review; nothing in the body of the e-mail will be uploaded.
Submissions are due no later than Monday, April 14, 2025 at 5:00pm.
Please apply only if you meet following criteria:
- Enrolled or will be enrolled in POL 192A or 192B in Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025 (current), Summer 2025, or Fall 2025
- Academic merit: minimum 3.5 cumulative UCD GPA
- Demonstrated financial need
- Must be a registered, active student for award to be disbursed. For students applying that are planning to complete POL 192 in the future, POL 192 must be completed before the funds can be disbursed.
- Clare E. Ficklin Scholarship
Clare Ficklin was a gifted business woman who was deeply and passionately committed to her community, particularly through her involvement in local, state and national politics. She cared more about good public policy than ideological boundaries. She supported local causes and participated in policy making at the highest levels of government. Applicants for this scholarship must demonstrate a passion for politics through participation in student government, political groups, and/or career aspirations.
Requirements for application
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
• overall minimum UCD GPA 3.25
• Political Science major
• demonstrated passion for politics through participation in student government, political groups and/or through career aspirations or study plans as stated in their applicationApplications are available Oct. 9, and the deadline for submission is Jan 9.
Financial need shall not be a factor. The scholarship is granted to one recipient per calendar year. Presentation is made at the annual Political Science Student Awards Ceremony.
- Charles S. Linderman Scholarship for Participatory Democracy
Charles Scott "Chuck" Linderman loved political campaigns. More than that, Linderman was an idealist. In his work for Campaign California, Citizen Action and partisan political efforts, he loved the idea that individuals can make a difference. He lived by the ideals of civil and human rights, economic justice and participatory democracy. He worked passionately to empower and educate people disenfranchised by poverty.
The intent of the Charles S. Linderman Scholarship for Participatory Democracy is to contribute to learning opportunities for activists who demonstrate the desire and ability to engage in the practice of democracy in their neighborhoods, cities and states. Priority is given to applicants from groups historically underrepresented in, or denied access to, the political process.
Requirements for applicationRecipients must demonstrate:
• potential for community leadership
• an interest in participatory democracyPriority will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need and come from groups historically underrepresented in, or denied access to, the political process — including but not limited to persons of color and women. This scholarship was established by gifts from the Charles S. Linderman Scholarship Fund for Participatory Democracy.
- Frank A. Mesplé Scholarship
This undergraduate scholarship fund was established during the 1980–81 academic year in memory of Frank Mesplé by friends, family members and fellow active participants in California political life. During the 1970s Frank frequently taught a highly acclaimed UC Davis course on California politics.
Members of the Steering Committee to establish the Scholarship Fund included The Honorable Edmund G. (Pat) Brown as honorary chairman; Jackson R. Gualco as chairman; Jackie Habecker as secretary/treasurer; and Harold Boel, B.T. Collins, The Honorable Dick Floyd, Ralph J. McGill, John R. Quimby Sr. and Paul Ward. Sponsors who participated in a second fundraising event included Sen. Kenneth L. Maddy, Sen. Ralph Dills, Sen. Robert Beverly, Assemblywoman Teresa Hughes, and Assemblyman John Thurman.The scholarship was endowed with funds from the First Annual Figpluckers Luncheon. Frank was respected and well liked, not only at UC Davis, but also in the California Legislature and among his lobbyist cronies. Recipients are outstanding Political Science Department majors who share Frank's zeal for involvement in California state and local government. Jackson Gualco continues to be an active steward of the fund, and hosts an annual black tie dinner for lobbyists, clients and other notables as a fundraiser for the scholarship.
Since 1990, between two and seven scholarships have been awarded per year, for a total of more than 75 scholarships awarded to students in Political Science.
Requirements for application
• minimum overall UCD GPA of 3.25
• POL (Political Science) or PPS (Political Science - Public Service) major
• upper division standing as of fall quarter (of the following year), with graduation no earlier than the following spring quarter
• students in the College of Letters and Science, with preference given to POL or PPS majors
• interest in state and local governmentApplications are available Oct. 9, and the deadline for submission is Jan 9. Presentation is made at the annual Political Science Student Awards Ceremony.
- Lesley Diane Sanchez Scholarship
The Lesley Diane Sanchez Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of Lesley Sanchez, who would have been a Political Science major at the time the fund was established. Recipients are continuing Political Science undergraduates who are female and have demonstrated financial need.
Lesley Diane Sanchez was majoring in Political Science in the College of Letters and Science, and had just finished her junior year. She valued her education and made it a point to utilize all available resources to be on track to graduate with her bachelor's degree in four years. She was a hard worker, dedicated and focused in her efforts to attain her degree as the first step toward her law degree.
Lesley is survived by her parents, Richard and Patricia, and sisters Catherine and Amy. Recognizing Lesley's passion for education, they started the Lesley Diane Sanchez Scholarship fund as a way of honoring her dedication to education. The scholarship supports women with financial need who are majoring in Political Science and have excelled academically.
Requirements for application
• minimum overall UC Davis grade-point average of 3.25
• female continuing Political Science major student
• must read Lesley Sanchez's biographical descriptionApplications are available Oct. 9, and the deadline for submission is Jan 9. Presentation is made at the annual Political Science Student Awards Ceremony.
- Nedjelko Dinko Suljak Scholarship
The late Estelle Suljak established this scholarship fund in loving memory of her husband, Ned Suljak. Recipients of the Nedjelko Dinko Suljak Memorial Scholarship are Political Science students with demonstrated financial need and a strong interest in pursuing a career in the profession of law.
Requirements for application
• minimum overall UC Davis grade-point average of 3.5
• financial aid need and eligibility
• POL (Political Science) or PPS (Political Science - Public Service) major
• strong interest in a law careerApplications are available Oct. 9, and the deadline for submission is Jan 9. Presentation is made at the annual Political Science Student Awards Ceremony.
- Political Science Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship fund was established by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Recipients of Political Science Undergraduate Scholarships must have solid academic records, and excel at non-academic pursuits such as student government, community service or athletics.
Requirements for application
• minimum overall UC Davis grade-point average of 3.5
• POL (Political Science) or PPS (Political Science - Public Service) major
• full-time upper division students who did all of their lower division work at UC Davis (advanced placement course work is acceptable, but transfer work cannot be applied toward this requirement)
• excel at more than just academic pursuits, and contribute to UC Davis by participation in student government, community service, student activities, athletics or other activityAlthough financial need is not a primary consideration for eligibility, it may be taken into consideration.
Applications are available Oct. 9, and the deadline for submission is Jan 9. Presentation is made at the annual Political Science Student Awards Ceremony.
- Scholarships for International Relations students
The International Relations programs honors and recognizes the work of its students through several scholarships and awards.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The goal of the Academic Achievement Award is to acknowledge student academic achievement and to recognize student career goals. In order to be eligible for this award applicants must be declared International Relations students, have at least a 3.5 GPA, have maintained good academic standing and be a graduating senior. This award is handed out annually during spring quarter. Please contact poladvising@ucdavis.edu for more information.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The Community Service Award recognizes community service and academic achievement within the International Relations major. In order to be eligible applicants must be declared International Relations students, have good academic standing with a 2.5 GPA or better, and have donated time to community service at UC Davis or within the broader community. Although applications for the Community Service Award are accepted every spring, determination of whether or not the award is actually handed out depends on the level of community service among the applicants. Please contact poladvising@ucdavis.edu for more information.
EDUCATION ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS
The goal of the International Relations Education Abroad Scholarship is to encourage International Relations students to internationalize their educational experience by helping them with financial support for study abroad. The scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 per student, and multiple scholarships are awarded each year. To be eligible, a scholarship applicant must be a full-time UC Davis International Relations student, must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must plan to apply or already has been selected to an eligible study abroad or unpaid internship abroad program. Please contact poladvising@ucdavis.edu for more information.
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