The Graduate Opportunity Program Awards are need-based merit fellowships that exist to provide financial support to a community of scholars who will enhance the level of diversity at Berkeley. GOP Awards serve to assist in making graduate education accessible to these students. The spirit of GOP is to promote an environment of inclusion, particularly for individuals who have not had the same types of opportunities of many who have shaped the current academic environment. Individuals who have surmounted significant obstacles in their pursuit of higher education, individuals who are the first generation in their family to pursue college or graduate school, or individuals whose educational training has not exposed them to a wide array of resources are examples of those who should not be excluded from graduate school opportunities. Students apply for the Graduate Opportunity Program Award on Form C of the Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships .
Departments nominate and rank eligible applicants.
Financial need and GOP Awards. Departments nominate and rank eligible applicants. Students who do not receive GOP support or whose GOP Award does not meet their entire financial need are then eligible for other forms of financial assistance. How prospective students apply for GOP Awards. Prospective students should submit Form C directly to the department by the application due date.