Applications open now for The California Pre-Doctoral Program (Sally Casanova Scholarship)

Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 1:00pm

TO: SSU Faculty, Staff, and Students
FR: Daniel Malpica, Campus Coordinator, The California Pre-Doctoral Program (Sally Casanova Scholarship)

Scholarship applications are now open for the 2025-26 California Pre-Doctoral Program, and the submission deadline is Friday, February 14, 2025. All CSU students are eligible to apply; see specific requirements below.

The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the diversity of future CSU faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. Recipients of this prestigious award will be designated as Sally Casanova Scholars as a tribute to Dr. Sally Casanova, for whom the award is named. To access detailed instructions and the link to the application form, you can start from the Pre-Doc home page or navigate directly to How to Apply.

This year, prospective Sally Casanova Scholars will use a single application form. They may choose to apply to the parent Pre-Doctoral Program, the Health Professions Track, or both. Applicants must complete and submit all requirements by February 14, 2025. Letters of recommendation will be accepted up to one week later.

While the Pre-Doctoral Program and the Health Professions Track share many elements, there are some differences in eligibility and in the application requirements. Please encourage interested students to review the guides thoroughly:

Sally Casanova Scholars receive a $5,000 stipend that allows them to explore and prepare to succeed in doctoral programs in their chosen fields of study. Additionally, Scholars also have the opportunity to apply for a fully-funded summer research program that includes an additional $4,000 to $5,000 stipend.

Sally Casanova Scholars will work closely with a CSU faculty member to develop an overall plan which prepares the student for enrollment in a doctoral program. The plan should be tailored to the specific goals and career objectives of each student.

Eligibility

  • The California Pre-Doctoral Program is open to current CSU juniors, seniors, and graduate students across all disciplines.
    • The Health Professions Track (HPT) is open to students focused on areas such as public health, health psychology, social work, human development, speech/language/hearing sciences, and nursing. Students interested in these areas are strongly encouraged to apply to the Health Professions Track.
  • To be selected into the program (including the HPT) and awarded a scholarship, students must enroll in at least the fall term of the 2025-26 academic year.

How to Apply 
Interested applicants are strongly recommended to contact their campus California Pre-Doctoral Program campus coordinator for guidance. I am the SSU coordinator, so if you are interested please email me at daniel.malpica@sonoma.edu. An informational session will take place on January 28 from 12 - 1 p.m. in 1049 Salazar Hall. 

Deadline: February 14, 2025 by 5:00 p.m.