Bruin Scholars

The award will assist scholars longitudinally by building leadership experience through projects that help elevate health equity, diversity and inclusion. Each awardee will be allotted a maximum of 20%  buyout time to get their project off the ground. Implementation of certain percent effort or calendar months over the year for the scholarly project are to be determined by the scholar and their department.

Bruin Scholars are guaranteed admission to JEDI Academic Mentor Council (JAM) work with senior faculty mentors on Professional Development. This 6-month program hosts 14 topics varied from Effective Communication and Building Grant Writing Skills, Financial Wellbeing in Academia and Work life Balance among other professional development learning.

The JEDI Office will provide $75,000 to the Scholar/Awardee and the Awardee’s department will provide $25,000 for a total of 100k per selected scholar, per academic year for a period of at least a 2-years.

The award is to be used at the discretion of the Bruin Scholar to pursue their scholarly project. This award is not to be used in lieu of startup funds. 

• Pursue academic interests such as teaching, research, or community work
• Hire part-time staff to assist with research projects and regulatory processes, manage operations of a research program, or provide support for other similar work that will reduce faculty workload allowing deeper focus on activities to further academic careers (with approval of department chair)
• Pay for an array of basic science and clinical pilot studies
• Attend conferences or other professional development programs
• Purchase items essential for professional activities

Bruin Scholars are not allowed to use their funds for the following:

• Z supplements
• Tuition for graduate school programs
• Funding for other faculty colleagues to pursue their interests unrelated to the Bruin Scholar’s direct projects
• Event sponsorship
• More than 20% buyout time.

The Program Director, Department Chair, and the candidate's mentor must submit three separate letters of support/ recommendation that highlight the following:

• Program Director – Aptitude, skills, and potential to impact populations that are underserved or structurally vulnerable.
• Dept. Chair – Candidate’s commitment, accomplishments in their time within your department, and potential in an academic career.
• Designated Mentor – strengths and opportunities for growth for the candidates, and their capacity to manage a project from idea to fruition.

The nominee's CV must be included in the application. Departments will be informed of the status of their nominations by February 7, 2025. Each Bruin Scholar will have until March 17, 2025, to accept their award and sign their offer letter. Those that cannot commit to UCLA by March 17th will lose their Bruin Scholar award and the award will be given to another candidate.

By submitting this application, the Department Chair agrees to cover $25,000 per year should their nominee be awarded as a Bruin Scholar. The intention of this award is for the funds to be used at the discretion of the Bruin Scholar to pursue their scholarly project. Bruin Scholar funds should not be used to supplement startup funds or salary support.

• Request for nominations & applications open - September 9, 2024
• Applications Due - January 6, 2025
• Award Notification - February 7, 2025
• Recipient Deadline to Accept - March 17, 2025