Skip to main content

How to Apply to the Social Impact Innovation Program

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Social Impact Innovation Program, students must develop a proposal for a project that improves health equity—either locally or globally. The following eligibility criteria will also apply:

  1. Current Berkeley Student: The project lead must be an undergraduate or Master’s student who is currently enrolled in a UC Berkeley degree program and will graduate in Spring 2025 or later. Other team members must be either a currently enrolled UC Berkeley student, UC Berkeley alumni (up to one per team), or student at another university (up to one per team).
  2. Social Impact Focus: The proposed project must catalyze positive health-related social change through a) direct community partnership and b) direct action (such as services, policy change or products) that improves people’s lives and promotes health equity within or across communities.
  3. Student-driven Project: Students are encouraged to reach out to faculty and staff to informally solicit feedback or advice on project goals and approach, but projects must be student-driven and cannot be formally overseen (i.e. managed) by faculty or staff.
  4. Collaboration: The proposed team must have 2–4 people.

*Analytical and theory-based research (e.g. methodology development, pure data collection and data analysis, literature reviews, etc.), while important for advancing the public health mission, are not eligible for this program.

Format and Timeline

Interested students must fill out an interest form by October 1, 2025, participate in at least 6 of 9 workshops in Fall 2025 and submit an application in January 2026. Selected teams will implement in Spring and Summer 2026. More details below:

  • Register your interest by filling out the Interest Form by October 1, 2025: You will share your initial idea and indicate which Social Impact Tuesday workshops you will be attending in the Fall. Attendance is required at six of nine workshops in order to apply (Online MPH students receive an exception from this requirement).
  • Attend Social Impact Tuesdays in Fall 2025: These will occur most Tuesday afternoons.
  • Apply for the Social Impact Innovation Program by January 3, 2026: Students will apply in teams of 2–4 people by submitting applications that include the issue(s) to be addressed, gaps in any existing solutions, partnership plan, solution development process, implementation plan, timeline, budget, risks and mitigation strategy, expected outcomes, and evaluation metrics. A selection committee will evaluate the applications and select up to 15 teams to implement their ideas in Spring and Summer 2026.
  • Implement social impact projects during Spring and Summer 2026: Teams whose proposals are selected will receive up to $15,000 (based on the budget outlined in the proposal) to implement their idea. All program funding recipients must provide a written report detailing the outcomes of their projects, lessons learned, and a final accounting of project expenses.

Evaluation Criteria for Applications

Evaluation Criteria for Applications
ComprehensiveThe proposal has a well-thought-out project plan and budget, and the proposal identifies potential project risks and ways to mitigate those.
Community-engagedThe partner community is clearly identified and the team has understanding and knowledge of this community. The identified collaborators are interested and willing to partner. The applicant has outlined a clear strategy to engage the partner community and collaborators in every phase of the project.
Equity-CenteredThe project outlines realistic impacts and success metrics. These impacts, if achieved, have the potential to address historical and contemporary injustices, help eliminate health disparities, and assist in overcoming economic, social and other obstacles to health. There is an explicit focus on improving health outcomes and creating opportunities for those historically excluded.
InnovativeThe proposed solution differentiates itself from existing solutions and/or enhances existing solutions to improve or make them more accessible.
ImpactfulThe identified issue or concern is a priority health challenge for the partner community. The proposed solution has the potential to be meaningful and impactful in addressing this issue.
Sustainability & ScalabilityThe proposed solution shows potential for long-term sustainability and/or expansion to service a larger audience (in the future).
Team QualificationsThe project team has needed skills and knowledge to lead the project, which could include multi-disciplinary perspectives, lived experience and understanding of the partner community.

Participation Expectations

All program participants must sign a document (link accessible to UC Berkeley accounts only) outlining expectations related to principles of community, behavioral conduct, risk, financial management, and other relevant issues. BPH will offer workshops to offer guidance to students in many of these areas.

Program Policies

The project team has assembled a list of policies (link accessible to UC Berkeley accounts only) to help students navigate issues related to finance, risk, branding, and more.

More Information

Additional information will be provided at a program info session held in Fall 2025. Please direct any other questions to the program manager at BPHsocialimpact@berkeley.edu.

Subscribe to our UC Berkeley Public Health Social Impact Newsletter

The Berkeley Public Health Social Impact Team sends out a newsletter bi-monthly (every other month) with the latest in Social Impact at UC Berkeley Public Health.

©2025 UC Regents; all rights reserved