The Leadership Award

Established in 1934, The Leadership Award is one of the most prestigious merit-based scholarships at UC Berkeley.

The Leadership Award is a one-year, merit-based scholarship that recognizes Cal students who demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership impacting their academic, work, or community environments. Students compete for the scholarship every academic year.

Award Amount

2011-12 academic year Amount Length
Lower Division
Includes: first-year, second-year students 		$2,000 1 year
Upper Division
Includes: junior transfer, third-year, fourth-year, and fifth-year students 		$2,000 1 year
Award amounts shown are for in-state and out-of-state/international residents    

Eligibility Requirements

Student status Requirements
Incoming freshman (first-year) Cal student
  • Minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA
  • Demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership impacting academic, work, or community environments
  • Submit a UC Berkeley application for Fall 2012/Spring 2013 enrollment
  • Interview in-person in the United States, London, or Hong Kong in May 2012
  • Submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to UC Berkeley by May 1, 2012
Incoming junior transfer Cal student
  • Minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA
  • Demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership impacting academic, work, or community environments for previous academic year
  • Submit a UC Berkeley application for Fall 2012/Spring 2013 enrollment
  • Interview in-person on campus in September 2012
  • Submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to UC Berkeley by June 1, 2012
Current Cal student
  • Minimum 3.0 UC GPA
  • Demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership impacting academic, work, or community environments for previous academic year
  • Registration and enrollment as UC Berkeley undergraduate student in at least the minimum number of units approved by major college or school for Fall 2012 and/or Spring 2013
  • Interview in-person on campus in September 2012
    (Study-abroad students interview by telephone)