The Bioengineering Scholars Program

The Bioengineering Scholars Program is designed to promote the success of students who, after graduation, will bring diverse perspectives and support equitable access as leaders in the field of bioengineering. BioESP provides mentorship, advising, resources, research experience and community support to these outstanding students, so that together we can define the future of bioengineering.

Bioengineering lies at the interface of engineering, data science, the biomedical sciences and clinical medicine. In order for the field to accurately and effectively serve the diverse range of stakeholders from teachers and students to doctors and patients, it is imperative that our leaders have a vast diversity of perspectives and experiences. At UC Berkeley we are deeply aware of this need, and of how difficult it has been to achieve.

BioESP Scholars:

• participate in supplemental orientation activities,
• attend a weekly Fall seminar their first semester,
• take part in additional cohort and program events throughout the year,
• build relationships with a cohort of students for peer support,
• and receive supplementary faculty advising.

Many Scholars have the opportunity to undertake full-time research in a faculty laboratory during their first summer.

Scholars apply and are selected during the Freshman/Junior Transfer admission process. Any student who has already been admitted to the UC Berkeley undergraduate bioengineering major, but has not yet begun their first year courses, is eligible to apply.