California Pre-Doctoral Program

Program description 

The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to diversify the pool of university faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of economically or educationally disadvantaged CSU students who are upper division undergraduates and master's students with focused research interests and an interest in a university faculty career. 

Students chosen for this award are designated "Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars" as a tribute to Dr. Sally Casanova, for whom the scholarship is named. 

Each Pre-Doctoral Scholar is mentored by a faculty sponsor and receives financial support for activities that may improve their chances of acceptance to and success in, top doctoral programs in their field. 

Application overview Application instructions

Program benefits 

If you are selected as a California Pre-Doctoral Program Scholar, you will receive mentorship from your Faculty Mentor under the program, plus an award of $5,000 for: 

  • Attending or presenting research at professional conferences in the continental U.S.
  • Visits to doctoral-granting institutions in the continental U.S.
  • Journal subscriptions and memberships in professional organizations in your field
  • GRE courses and test taking and reporting fees
  • Graduate school application fees

Pre-Doctoral Scholars are eligible to apply for a fully funded 8-to-10-week Summer Research Experience with a faculty member in their field at an accredited Ph.D.-granting university in the continental U.S. 

  • The program funds a living stipend plus housing, travel and meals for the period of the Summer Research Experience
  • Applications from Pre-Doc Scholars are due in early Spring of the Pre-Doctoral year
  • The Summer Research Experience takes place in the summer following the Pre-Doctoral year
    • Research experience must be approved by the Summer Faculty Mentor and the CSU Faculty Mentor

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the California Pre-Doctoral Program if you are: 

  • a CSU master’s student or upper division undergraduate (junior or senior)
  • enrolled in a CSU degree-seeking program (not a certificate or credential program)
  • interested in pursuing a research doctorate and teaching at the college or university level
  • a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or AB540/undocumented student who will be continuing in a CSU degree program in the Fall semester of the next academic year

Please note that students in CSU doctoral programs, including Ed.D. programs, are not eligible to apply for the California Pre-Doctoral Program. 

Comparing the California Pre-Doctoral Program and Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP)

The California Pre-Doctoral Program supports CSU undergraduates and graduate students who are studying in the CSU and want to go on for a Ph.D. It provides mentoring support for these students, during the year in which they are named as California Pre-Doctoral Program (“Sally Casanova”) Scholars, and provides funding to attend conferences, visit Ph.D. programs in which they are interested, take GRE preparation courses, join professional organizations, subscribe to professional journals, and pay for Ph.D. program application fees. It also provides full funding for a summer research experience, if approved, following the Pre-Doctoral year. 

By contrast, the Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program supports students (whether or not they have studied in the CSU) who are enrolled in, or applying to, Ph.D. programs who want to teach in the CSU after they receive their doctorates. It provides mentoring support for CDIP Fellows over a three-year period, mini-grants for research-related expenses and for conference attendance (including international conferences), including with their Faculty Mentor, and as well as optional low-interest loans that may be forgivable. CDIP Fellows may apply for a dissertation-year grant. 

CDIP Fellows may apply to participate in the CSU Pre-Professor Program (PREPP), a semester-long program that supports CDIP Fellows' transition to faculty positions by helping them learn what faculty life is like on a CSU campus. 

Application deadline

The annual deadline for submitting a complete online application is usually in mid-February. Recommender Deadline: Recommenders have until one week after the application deadline to upload their letters. They will receive an invitation to upload their recommendation to the system once you have submitted your application.

Application overview

  1. Review or download a copy of this year's application guide
  2. Select a Faculty Mentor (an SFSU assistant, associate or full professor—not a lecturer or visiting professor) who knows you well and is willing to support your application to the Pre-Doctoral Program, to serve as your mentor during the award year
  3. Ask your Faculty Mentor to provide you with an in-depth recommendation.
  4. Complete a CSU Pre-Doc Program Application
  5. Invite your Faculty Mentor, through the online application, to submit a recommendation on your behalf. Your Faculty Mentor must submit their recommendation no later than one week after the CSU application deadline.
  6. In collaboration with your Faculty Mentor, develop an Application Budget for the funded activities you will engage in during the coming academic year to prepare for entering a doctoral program
  7. If you are applying to the Health Professions Scholars Initiative, prepare, along with your mentor, a Collaborative Plan indicating how you and your Faculty Mentor will work together over the Pre-Doctoral Year to enhance your applications to doctoral programs
  8. Compose, revise and polish your application essays in consultation with your Faculty Mentor
  9. Assemble unofficial transcripts for every college or university you have attended
  10. Prepare a CV (a curriculum vitae or academic resume). Your Faculty Mentor and the Campus Coordinator will be able to provide you with guidance about what your CV should contain
  11. Seek support from the Campus Coordinator. If you would like feedback on your application essays, CV and, for Health Professions Track applicants, the Collaborative Plan, email Dr. Joy Viveros, SFSU's California Pre-Doctoral Program Campus Coordinator, to request a meeting. You are encouraged to do so weeks before the application deadline of February 13, 2026
  12. Upload your transcripts, CV, budget, essays to your online application
  13. Health Professions Scholars Initiative applicants also upload a Collaborative Plan
  14. Submit your online application by the CSU deadline
  15. Follow-up with your Faculty Mentor to ensure that the recommendation is submitted no later than the Friday after the application deadline.

 

Application support

Applicants are encouraged to meet with the Campus Coordinator for the California Pre-Doctoral Program for any questions they may have and to seek feedback on their application materials.

Application instructions

  1. Review the CSU Pre-Doc Program application instructions
    1. If you are applying to the Health Professions Scholars Initiative (HPSI), review the current year's HPSI application instructions.
    2. Submit an online application by the CSU deadline, usually in mid-February.
  2. Start your application at the CSU Pre-Doc Program application by clicking "Begin your application today!"
    1. Register for a Smartsheet account The registration link will be visible when the application is live for the current cycle.
    2. To start using your Smartsheet account, check the email address you used to register and confirm your email address.
    3. Fill out a Pre-Application Questionnaire on Smartsheet, which includes your year in your program, the year you plan to enter a doctoral program, your contact information and your Faculty Mentor's name, rank (assistant, associate or full professor) and email address.
  3. Login to your Smartsheet application to work on your application until the submission deadline
    1. You may save your work and return to complete your application.
  4. Applicants to the Health Professions Scholars Initiative (HPSI) will need to provide Collaborative Mentorship Plan outlining development activities and communication between student and mentor. 
    1. For questions about this document or the HPSI application, contact HPSI director Arnab Mukherjea at Cal State East Bay.
  5. Download a fillable Application Budget Sheet. 
    1. Fill out the budget sheet with guidance from your Faculty Mentor
    2. Using your budget sheet as a guide, fill out the itemized budget proposal
    3. Once you fill out the Pre-Application Questionnaire, you will receive a link to the itemized budget proposal.
    4. Ensure that the budget proposal adds up to exactly $5,000.
  6. Compose several drafts of your application essays, preferably in consultation with your Faculty Mentor and the Campus Coordinator.
  7. Prepare a CV (a curriculum vitae or academic resume) in consultation with your faculty mentor and/or campus coordinator.
  8. Upload to your online application one pdf that includes your essays, transcripts and CV.
  9. You are encouraged to meet with the Campus Coordinator if you would like feedback on your application materials.
    1. If you would like to do so, email Dr. Viveros weeks before the application deadline of February 13, 2026 to request a meeting.
    2. Before your meeting with Dr. Viveros, email her drafts of your essays, CV and proposed budget.
  10. Submit the online application on or before Noon on the application deadline.
  11. Email Dr. Viveros a copy of your final application essays.
  12. Ensure your faculty recommendation is uploaded by the CSU deadline, which for recommenders is the Friday after the application deadline

 

Meet Our Pre-Doctoral Scholars

San Francisco State University is proud of our robust participation in the California Pre-Doctoral Program

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Jo Nisa Cabilogan, Graduate student in Psychology
  • Lo Klauer, Graduate student in Sexuality Studies
  • Francesca Mejia, Graduate student in Race & Resistance Studies
  • Sam Hyder, Graduate student in English
  • Elijah Valverde, Undergraduate in Mathematics
  • Daphne Jomo, Undergraduate in Computer Engineering
  • Sebastian Bustamante Ceja, Graduate student in Cinema
  • Merrissa Hart, Graduate student Education 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Manuel Abundis-Morales, Psychology graduate student
  • Benjamin Lee, Biology undergraduate
  • Christoper Statton, Communication Studies graduate student 

Honorable Mention  

  • Natalie Yam, Computer Science undergraduate 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Teah Ardoin, Political Science graduate student; 2024-25 American Political Science Association (APSA) Diversity Fellowship Program (DFP) Fellow
  • Eeshan Kumar, Philosophy, blended bachelor's/master's student
  • Athena Ramirez, Equity and Social Justice Education graduate student 

Honorable Mention 

  • Trevor Hart, Particle Physics graduate student

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Nathan Burns, Sociology with a minor in Sexuality Studies undergraduate
  • Christian Camaño, Computer Science and Mathematics for Advanced Study undergraduate, 2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) in Applied Mathematics 
  • Victoria Chou, Developmental Psychology graduate student
  • Saramanda Swigert, English Literature graduate student 

Honorable Mentions 

  • Brenda Sofia Garibay, Cell and Molecular Biology undergraduate
  • Gail Anne Manalastas, Psychology: Mind, Brain, Behavior graduate student

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Kelso Becktol, Women and Gender Studies graduate student
  • Betsy Paredes Centeno, Psychological Research: Mind, Brain and Behavior graduate student
  • manmit singh, Ethnic Studies graduate student
  • Alvaro Cornejo, Mathematics graduate student; 2022 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) Honorable Mention in Algebra, Number Theory, and Combinatorics
  • Mickenly Doyle, Communicative Disorders undergraduate, minors in education and special education
  • Elleanor Pangilinan, Biology: STEM Education graduate student
  • Luis Alberto Perez, Mathematics graduate student; 2022 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) in Algebra, Number Theory, and Combinatorics
  • Robert Willis, History undergraduate 

Honorable Mentions 

  • Jessica Agnos, Physics: Astrophysics graduate student
  • Charlie Wang, Asian American Studies graduate student 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars  

  • Angelika Arada, Biochemistry undergraduate
  • Karina Hissen, Biology graduate student
  • William O'Farrill, Anthropology undergraduate
  • David Ward, Physics graduate student 

Honorable Mentions 

  • Matthew Patrick Gee, Kinesiology graduate student
  • Andrew Ronquillo, Philosophy graduate student; Mr. Ronquillo is an Associate Professor of Philosophy, Saddleback College 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Kiera Abdur-Rahman, Cinema Studies graduate student
  • Luis Ayala, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student 
  • Justin Brown, Geography: Natural Resource Management and Environmental Planning graduate student 
  • Estely Carranza, Chemistry graduate student 
  • Angeline Chemel, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student 
  • Viviane Zurdo Costa, Physics graduate student 
  • Romel Harmon, Education graduate student 
  • Can Ali Kilic, Developmental Psychology graduate student 
  • Jill Laufer, Political Science graduate student; 2020 CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program Fellow; Dr. Laufer is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at University of California, Davis
  • Matt Madruga, Philosophy graduate student 
  • Wilmer Amaya Mejia, graduate student in Biology
  • Steven Sun, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student 
  • Meme Than, Public Health graduate student 
  • Caitlin Waddle, Mathematics graduate student; 2020 CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program Fellow 

Honorable Mentions 

  • Alyscia Richards, Political Science graduate student
  • Garcia Ruiz Tonatiuh, Physiology and Behavioral Biology graduate student

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Inayah Baaqee, Psychology graduate student
  • Ngoc-Cam Bui, Psychology graduate Student
  • Teagan Bullock, Philosophy undergraduate
  • Tsz Chan, Mathematics graduate student
  • Francesca Colonnese, English Literature graduate student; Dr. Colonnese is a Lecturer in English at the University of Washington
  • Vivien Enriquez, Biology graduate student
  • Gesean Lewis Woods, Special Education graduate student
  • Alonso Reategui, Philosophy graduate student
  • Kadellyn Sandoval, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student
  • Wayne Swinson, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student
  • Michelle Thomas, Philosophy graduate student 

Honorable Mentions 

  • Seon-Hye Moon, Ethnic Studies graduate student
  • Philip Nguyen, Asian American Studies graduate student; Mr. Nguyen is Lecturer in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Spencer Beaudette, Philosophy graduate student 
  • Amanda Carbajal, Biology graduate student; 2020 CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program Fellow; Dr. Carbajal is Postdoctoral Research Associate in Neurobiology at Duke University School of Medicine
  • Alexandra Cooper, Biology graduate student; Dr. Cooper is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia
  • Edward Elizarraras, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student 
  • Mai Foua Her, Asian American Studies graduate student 
  • Hilda Loury, Philosophy graduate student 
  • Jose Lumbreras, Ethnic Studies graduate student, 2019, CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program Fellow
  • Tatiana Mariscal-Raymundo, Kinesiology graduate student 
  • Jessica Brenda Mejia, Comparative Literature graduate student 
  • Leslie Lee Pedraza, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student 
  • Deseret Weeks, Geography graduate student 
  • Kenisha A. Williams Puckett, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student; 2018, CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program Fellow 

 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Julie Gonzalez, Marine Science graduate student
  • Joshua Gutierrez, Biochemistry graduate student
  • Troy Lowe, Biochemistry graduate student; Postdoctoral Researcher in Biochemistry and Enzymology, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Jacquelyn Nelson Glidden, Developmental Psychology graduate student
  • Michelle Gomez Parra, Sexuality Studies graduate student; Dr. Parra is an Assistant Professor of Latino/Latina Studies at  San Francisco State University
  • Pedro Ramos, Linguistics graduate student
  • Spencer Taylor Berdiago Ruelos, Sexuality Studies graduate student
  • Jillian Salazar, Sexuality Studies graduate student
  • Shola Shodiya-Zeumault, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy graduate student
  • Andres Vindas Melendez, Mathematics graduate student; 2017, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Mathematics; 2019, CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program Fello; Dr. Vindas Melendez is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at  Harvey Mudd College
  • Lyndsey Wallace, Psychology graduate student; Dr. Wallace is a Teaching Fellow and the Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion with the Department of Psychology at University of Edinburgh
  • Chelsey Williams, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy graduate student 

Honorable Mentions 

Our five Honorable Mentions this year include: 

  • Daniel McKeown, Physics graduate student; Dr. McKeown is a Lecturer with the Department of Physics at University of California, Los Angeles
  • Kathleen Yingqiao Morrison, Sexuality Studies graduate student 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Michelle Nguyen, History graduate student
  • Serina Sebilian Wittyngham, Biology graduate student; Dr. Wittyngham is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of North Florida
  • Jonathan Robinson Anthony, Communicative Disorders graduate student; 2020 National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research
  • Jon-David Settell, Comparative Literature graduate student
  • Christopher Arreola, Education and Feminist Studies undergraduate student
  • Kathleen O’Neal, Philosophy graduate student
  • Jamie O’Quinn, Sexuality Studies graduate student; Dr. O’Quinn is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at California State University, San Bernadino 

Honorable Mentions 

  • Paulina Fraser, Education graduate student 
  • Reuben Zellman, Ethnomusicology graduate student 
  • Zaviera Reyes, Social Psychology graduate student 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Delicia Kamins, Philosophy graduate student
  • Flor Khan, Education graduate student
  • Sigmund Werndorf, Philosophy graduate student
  • Monica Padilla-Stemmelen, Education graduate student
  • Brittany Johnson, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student
  • Nonye Okonkwo, Biochemistry graduate student
  • Yvonne Sohn, French graduate student
  • Alice Chapman, Classics graduate student; Dr. Chapman is a Lecturer in Classics at San Francisco State University 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Christina Abram-Davis, Ethnic Studies graduate student
  • Joseph Beyene, Cell and Molecular Biology graduate student; Dr. Beyene earned a Ph.D.in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Harvard University
  • Cynthia Brannvall, Art History graduate student
  • Marguerite Campbell, Sexuality Studies graduate student
  • Joemar Clemente, Asian American studies graduate student
  • Jesus Gaeta, Pubic Health graduate student
  • Elvin Lauron, Biology graduate student; Dr. Lauron earned a Ph.D. in Virology and Immunology from Washington University in Saint Louis
  • Imelda Munoz, Ethnic Studies graduate student
  • Nanea Renteria, Ethnic Studies graduate student
  • James Sheldon, Special Education graduate student
  • Ian Tewksbury, Classics graduate student
  • Marilyn Thomas, Public Health graduate student; 2016, Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow in Social Epidemiology; Dr. Thomas is  an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Weill Institute for Neurosciences
  • Jennifer White, Philosophy graduate student 

Honorable Mention 

  • Giselle Cunanan, Ethnic Studies graduate student 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Nick Alvarez, Philosophy graduate student
  • Sarah Braasch, Philosophy graduate student
  • Jazmin Morelos, Communication Studies graduate student
  • Thao Nguyen, Communication Studies graduate student; Dr. Nguyen is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Oberlin College
  • Khouanchy Souvong Oakgrove, Microbiology graduate student
  • Vivian Sotomayor Power, Spanish Studies graduate student
  • Brian Tibbetts, Philosophy graduate student 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Nicole Chaffee, Chemistry graduate student
  • Alexander Farrow, Cinema graduate student
  • Cassandra Freeman, American Indian Studies undergraduate
  • Sylvia Kocięda, Philosophy graduate student; 2013, Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow in Philosophy
  • Courtney Leung, Sexuality Studies graduate student
  • Victor Ma, Philosophy graduate student
  • Jessica Orozco, Biology undergraduate
  • Joachim Pedersen, Engineering undergraduate; 2013, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Materials Engineering
  • Alp Tuncaci, International Relations graduate student
  • Adrienne Wilson, Public Health graduate student 

Honorable Mentions 

  • Nick Alvarez, Philosophy graduate student; Mr. Alvarez is a Professor of Philosophy at Las Positas College
  • Jordan Bohall, Philosophy graduate student; Dr. Bohall earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Louis Cornejo, Psychology undergraduate 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Christina Buck, Marine Biology graduate student
  • Nikica Favretto, Civil Engineering undergraduate
  • Anne Glaros, Women's Studies graduate student; Ms. Glaros is a Lecturer in Art History at San Francisco State University
  • Sylvie Kim, Asian American Studies graduate student
  • Jay (Ledbetter) Bettergarcia, Psychology graduate student; Dr. Bettergarcia is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Child Development at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  • (Mary) Mae Marcaida, Geology graduate student
  • Criseyda Martinez, Biology/Microbiology graduate student
  • Thanh Nguyen, Special Education graduate student; 2019, American Psychological Association’s Minority Fellowship; Dr. Nguyen is a Researcher with the Institute on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington
  • Jennifer Rubin, Sexuality Studies graduate student; Dr. Rubin is a senior scientist at foundry10
  • Kanara Ty, Asian American Studies graduate student
  • Jia Wei Zhang, Psychology undergraduate; 2012, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Social Psychology

Honorable Mentions 

  • Courtney Leung, Psychology undergraduate
  • Teresa Hodges, Asian American Studies graduate student; Dr. Hodges is an Ethnic Studies faculty member at Cuyamaca College
  • Patrick Lapid, Economics graduate student; Dr. Lapid is an Economist with the  Office of Research at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
  • Deborah Morgan, Classical Archeology undergraduate 

Pre-Doctoral Scholars 

  • Lee Dawson, Education master's student 
  • Jeffrey Masko, Cinema Studies master's student; Dr. Masko is an Adjunct Professor of Communications at Pennsylvania State University 
  • Laura Cervantes-Meyers, Social Psychology master's student 
  • Blanca Pacheco, Physiology undergraduate 
  • Anthony Scoggins, Comparative Literature graduate student; Mr. Scoggins is an Associate Professor of English at College of San Mateo 

More resources

California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education

The California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education is a one-day conference offering workshops, networking, and exposure to opportunities in graduate education. The event is free and open to all California college students in California, including those who may face access barriers and are open to graduate school in their future. 

California Pre-Doctoral Program Systemwide site

The CSU systemwide site for the California Pre-Doctoral Program provides the most up-to-date information on the program.