Bakar Ignite Scholars

Bakar Ignite Scholars

Supports undergraduate scientists at UC Berkeley contributing to research and innovation in Bakar labs.

The Bakar Ignite Scholars program funds undergraduate research participation in active Bakar Faculty Fellows laboratories at UC Berkeley. The program runs each semester on a recurring basis, with application deadlines set each term and decisions typically issued within approximately two weeks of the deadline. Eligible applicants are second-, third-, or fourth-year UC Berkeley undergraduates pursuing a bachelor's degree in STEM+ fields; international students currently enrolled at Berkeley are eligible, but first-year students, recent graduates in their first post-graduation semester, and previous Ignite Scholars participants are not.

Upon selection, scholars commit to approximately 10–12 hours of research per week over a 10-week period, totaling roughly 125 hours per semester. Research projects are listed on the Bakar Discovery Hub; students select a project and apply directly, with optional interviews before offers are extended. The program provides two compensation structures: a $2,500 stipend paid on completion of the full engagement, or an hourly rate of $20 per hour as an alternative arrangement. Scholars join a virtual community of undergraduate innovators, participate in periodic discussion posts, and are invited to annual networking events organized by the Bakar Fellows Program.

Ignite Scholars gain hands-on exposure to translational research in the commercialization phase across sectors including biotechnology, climate technology, advanced hardware, robotics, and materials science — matching the portfolio of active Bakar Faculty Fellows. The program is structured to expose undergraduates to the lab-to-market pipeline and entrepreneurial community at UC Berkeley. Applications are submitted through the Bakar Fellows website, with current project listings and deadlines maintained on the Discovery Hub each semester.