Recognizing Excellence in Graduate Education
The Materials Science and Engineering graduate program offers fellowships recognizing exceptional achievements in our graduate education community.
Fellowships
Amiya Mukherjee Memorial Fellowship
Professor Amiya Mukherjee was the founding professor of the Materials Science and Engineering program at UC Davis when he arrived in 1966. During his enduring career, Professor Mukherjee was an international leader in the field of creep deformation, and he had a profound influence on countless undergraduate and graduate students, inspiring many to join the relatively obscure major of materials science and engineering. The Amiya Mukherjee Memorial Fellowship will continue Professor Mukherjee’s legacy to educate the brightest minds in Materials Science and Engineering.
The Sangtae Kim Memorial Award
The Sangtae Kim Memorial Award was created in memory of Professor Sangtae Kim. This award recognizes and supports the research activities of a promising graduate student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UC Davis. Professor Kim is remembered as a wonderful colleague, an expert in defect chemistry and electrochemistry, an inspiring instructor and an amazing goalie in the department’s student/faculty soccer games. Professor Kim authored more than 100 scientific articles, was recognized by the Nanotech Briefs’ 2007 Nano 50 Awards and was elected to serve on the board of the International Society for Solid State Ionics. His legacy is also measured by the students he taught and mentored, his impact on his colleagues and the research accomplished with the help of his collaborators at UC Davis and abroad.
Enrique Lavernia Fellowship
Professor Enrique Lavernia was a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Dean of the College of Engineering at UC Davis from 2002-2009 & 2011-2015. In tribute, his Dean’s Executive Committee created the Enrique Lavernia Fellowship to support research by graduate students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Eligibility
Ph.D. students who are entering their 2nd – 4th year at UC Davis in Fall 2026, in good academic standing, and who have successfully passed their Ph.D. preliminary exam.
Application Materials
- Personal statement describing their personal research interests. (1 page limit, no smaller than 10 pt font, single spaced with 1 inch margins).
- If applying to the Amiya Mukherjee Memorial Fellowship: in the personal statement describe your personal research interests, particularly in context of Professor Mukherjee’s legacy. (1 page limit, no smaller than 10 pt font, single spaced with 1 inch margins).
- A letter of recommendation from the major professor (2 page limit, no smaller than 10 pt font, single spaced with 1 inch margins).
- Unofficial UC Davis transcript.
- Resume, including date of completion of Ph.D. preliminary exam, and if applicable, qualifying exam.
Due Date
Submit application materials as a single PDF file to Box by 5:00 pm, on Friday, August 28, 2026 titled [MSE Fellowship 2026_Student Name].
The Graduate Affairs Committee in Materials Science and Engineering will select the fellowship winners. Students and major professors will receive an email notification regarding the results.
UC Davis Graduate Student Awards
MSE graduate students may also be eligible for awards offered through UC Davis Graduate Studies. These university-wide opportunities recognize graduate student achievement beyond MSE and are administered by Graduate Studies.
Graduate Student Travel Awards
UC Davis Graduate Studies offers travel awards to support graduate students presenting their research at nationally and internationally recognized professional meetings. Eligible students must be in good academic standing and meet Graduate Studies eligibility requirements.
Learn more about Travel Awards
Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
The Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award recognizes graduate students for exemplary contributions to teaching and learning at UC Davis. Currently enrolled graduate students who have served as Teaching Assistants or Associate Instructors may be nominated by members of the campus community, including through self-nomination. Awardees receive a monetary award and are recognized during Graduate Student Appreciation Week.
Learn more about the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award