The Mathematical and Physical Sciences Program (MPSSP) provides up to $15,000 annually in financial support to students in the following departments: Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science, Physics, and Mathematics. Scholarship recipients will have access to:
- a mentoring network of peers, faculty, and professional scientists
- research and internship opportunities
- semesterly career courses and events
- events and resources that help new students get oriented
- annual retreats and events where science and math students can build community
Scholarship eligibility is determined in accordance with the National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program guidelines (Award Number: 2527996). A summary of eligibility criteria is as follows:
- low-income student whose financial circumstances align with eligibility criteria for the Federal Pell Grants;
- have unmet financial need;
- enrolled as a full-time student;
- US citizen, permanent resident, national, or refugee;
- remain in good academic standing as defined by UC Berkeley;
- intend to or declare a major in one of the participating disciplines: Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science, Physics, or Mathematics. Please note that the scholarship is specifically for these fields and would no longer apply if a student chooses a different major. We will provide counseling for any students who express interest in changing their major out of MPS, connecting them with resources for finding scholarships and aid in non-MPS majors.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2026 by 11:59pm PST
Decision Notifications: April 27, 2026
We encourage you to apply early. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please:
- E-mail mps_s-stem@berkeley.edu
- Attend one of our upcoming office hours with the MPSSP Director, Claire-Marie Kooi. This will be an opportunity for you to drop in and ask any questions you may have about the scholarship.