From Left to Right Olivia Gonzalez (Student Advisor), Prof. Cindy Fan (Vice Provost), Khonzoda Murodkhujaeva, Alexis Daetz, The Honorable Paul Krekorian (President of Los Angeles City Council), Samhita Mallavarapu, Mikayla O’Conner, Prof. David Kim (Associate Vice Provost)**Names without titles are 2023 IDS student awardees
IDS Academic Award
One to two cash awards will be distributed to a graduating senior for exceptional academic achievement in the International Development Studies major.
Eligibility
- International Development Studies major (double majors are also eligible)
- A senior graduating in any quarter of the 2026-2027 academic year, or Fall 2027
- In good academic standing with overall GPA of 3.75 in upper-division major coursework
Application
- Brief application form (found below)
- Resume
- A writing sample (15 to 40 pages) on any issue related to international development, preferably from a past course. A longer paper allows our committee to more thoroughly evaluate your work.
- UCLA Faculty Reference: please list the name and email address of one of our previous instructors who can serve as a reference. They will be contacted if you are a finalist for the award.
Dates: March 1-May 1st, 2027 at 11:59 PM
APPLY HERE
IDS Activist Award
One to two cash awards will be distributed to a graduating senior to recognize their outstanding commitment to making a difference on issues significant to international development through activism, service and leadership.
Eligibility
- International Development Studies major (double majors are also eligible)
- A senior graduating in any quarter of the 2026-2027 academic year, or Fall 2027
- In good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in upper-division major coursework
- Able to demonstrate, through their work in local, national, or international organizations, their commitment to making a difference on issues linked to international development
Application
- Brief application form (found below);
- Resume
- An essay (no more than 2 pages, double-spaced) that describes previous work related to international development and plans after graduation: work may include campus organizations, internships, and volunteer or paid work either in the U.S. or abroad. See below for full prompt.
- List one reference (outside the university), with name, organizational affiliation, contact information (including cell phone)
ESSAY PROMPT: In no more than 2 pages, double-spaced, please describe previous work that clearly demonstrates your commitment to making an impact on issues significant to international development through activism, service, and/or leadership. Work may include engagement in campus organizations, internships, as well as volunteer or paid work either in the U.S. or abroad. Please include the nature of your participation, duration of activities, and reflect on the following questions:
What does activism mean to you? How has your activism enhanced your education at UCLA, especially when it comes to the core values and aims of development? What have been the difficulties of pursuing activism as a UCLA student, and what advice would you give to incoming students who wish to pursue activism alongside their formal education?
Dates: March 1-May 1st, 2027 at 11:59 PM
APPLY HERE
