The Sugi Widjaja Family Undergraduate Scholarship in Buddhist Studies

The Sugi Widjaja Family scholarship was established in the fall of 2024. The gift will fund, over ten years, an annual scholarship, in the amount of $2500, to an undergraduate student with an interest in Buddhist studies. To be eligible, the student must be a full-time undergraduate in good standing in the College of Letters and Science at UC Berkeley. In addition, the student must either, (1) have declared a Minor in Buddhist studies; or alternatively, (2) have completed (or currently be enrolled in) at least two courses in Buddhist studies, with the intention to continue to take an additional course (or multiple courses) in this area.

Eligible students should apply toward the end of their freshman, sophomore, or junior years. They must fill out a short online application (the deadline will be sometime in late March), and upload their resume, their student transcript, and a one- or two-page essay that outlines their interest in Buddhism and how they intend to apply their studies going forward. In their essays, students may address the issue of financial need. If the student intends to use the funds for summer study abroad, they should provide specifics.

Applications will be available in spring 2025.

The Padmanabh S. Jaini Graduate Student Award in Buddhist Studies

The Padmanabh S. Jaini Graduate Student Award in Buddhist Studies was established in 2009 with a generous gift from Professor Jaini that was matched by the Chancellor's Matching Gift Program This award supports high-achieving graduate students in Buddhist Studies at UC Berkeley and honors Professor Jaini's important legacy in the field of Buddhist Studies at UC Berkeley and beyond. Padmanabh S. Jaini is Professor Emeritus of Buddhist Studies and co-founder of the Group in Buddhist Studies.

The Khyentse Foundation Award for Excellence in Buddhist Studies

The Khyentse Foundation(link is external) Award for Excellence in Buddhist Studies consists of an annual prize of US$1,500 given to a student, or shared by more than one student, chosen by the Group in Buddhist Studies of the UC Berkeley, in recognition of distinction and hard work in the field of Buddhist studies. The student(s) may be at any level of study and the award will be based on performance in the primary skills and tools of Buddhist studies, especially expertise in the classical languages of Buddhist traditions.

Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award in Buddhist Studies

Every year, the Graduate Division's Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor (OGSI) Award (link is external)honors over 200 UC Berkeley Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) for their outstanding work in the teaching of undergraduates. Recipients are nominated from within their teaching department. The GSI Teaching & Resource Center gives the award recipients certificates of distinction and a celebratory ceremony in the spring.