Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter: November 19th, 2025
Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter
UPCOMING@JACOBS
Jacobs Institute-organized events, news, and announcements—straight from the source.
JUST DROPPED! CLAIRE’S CORNER, EPISODE 4, FT. GARY GIN
Don’t miss Jacobs Makerspace Student Supervisor Claire Beaudin and her interview with Design Specialist — and BattleBots TV contender and Robogames decorated champion — Gary Gin. Find out what Gary’s favorite tool in the makerspace is…
LAST CALL! SHOW YOUR WORK AT THE JACOBS WINTER DESIGN SHOWCASE
Per tradition, this semester’s Jacobs Design Showcase will feature DES INV undergraduate courses, Jacobs Hall-affiliated courses as well as courses from the MDes graduate program—BUT ALSO independent projects by students, researchers, clubs, staff and faculty!
Exhibition sessions are 90 minutes long, and through exhibiting you’ll have a chance to 1) user test and 2) receive valuable feedback, and 3) make friends and connections. (And yes, there are sometimes opportunities to show for multiple sessions.) Priority placement and timing is first come first serve, so apply now (and before EOD November 20 NOVEMBER 22!) if you wish to participate! We will follow up with any answers to questions you might have, as well as a timeslot and other logistics.
ALSO: You can also RSVP now to attend the Showcase on December 8 & 9!
SP26 Innovation Catalysts Applications NOW OPEN
Every semester, students bring a wide range of innovative projects to life at Jacobs Hall and throughout Berkeley’s vibrant design ecosystem. The Jacobs Institute Innovation Catalysts, made possible by Deborah Weisser, Ben Gomes, and the Eustace-Kwan Family Foundation, is a student grant program that provides an avenue for these ambitious student innovators to unlock further potential in their projects. Berkeley students are invited to propose projects that they aim to develop over the course of a semester. Selected grantees will work on their projects with the support of resources from the Jacobs Institute and as part of a cohort of fellow student innovators. Learn more, schedule a 1:1 Application Advising Appointment, and apply today! Application Closes: Wednesday, December 10th, 9AM PST
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST
non-Jacobs Institute-affiliated events, opportunities, and programs—at your fingertips.
Making is Decision Making
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
4:00 - 5:00 pm PST
306 Soda Hall (HP Auditorium)
Join us this Wednesday, November 19 at the HP Auditorium. Light refreshments will be provided at 3:30 pm.
Maneesh Agrawala
Forest Baskett Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Stanford University
Big Ideas Contest
The Big Ideas Contest at UC Berkeley is an annual, year-long innovation competition designed to support interdisciplinary teams of students who are developing creative solutions to pressing social challenges and real-world problems. Unlike traditional business plan competitions, Big Ideas is focused primarily on social impact, whether through for-profit ventures, non-profits, or ad-hoc teams, and it encourages students to step outside their academic coursework to tackle issues they are passionate about. Learn more and apply here.
Applications are now open for UC Berkeley’s Spring 2026 Fung Fellowship.
This one-semester program invites rising juniors (Class of 2027) and rising seniors (Class of 2026) from all majors to work on impact-driven projects alongside community and industry partners focused on health equity and sustainability innovation.
Information to apply:
Learn more about the program at: fungfellows.berkeley.edu
RSVP for an info session: bit.ly/FFInfoSp26
Sign up for our interest form: bit.ly/FFInterestSp26
Access our application: bit.ly/FFSp26App
Deadline to apply: Sunday, December 14, at 11:59pm PT
The Fung Fellowship accepts all majors into the program and there is no GPA requirement, as applications will be reviewed holistically.
Berkeley Student Professional Development Fund - Fall Application Open
The Student Opportunity Fund Committee is pleased to announce that the Student Opportunity Fund (SOF) application for the 2025-2026 school year is open.
The Student Opportunity Fund provides funding for professional development opportunities for students. SOF funding is awarded to individual students or RSO applicants who are seeking funding (up to $2000) for opportunities outside of the classroom (e.g. visiting speakers, forums on topics of general interest, conferences, etc.) to further their career or professional goals.
The deadline for Fall 2025 applications, for any opportunity taking place between July 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, is December 1, 2025 at 11:59pm.
The application will open again in Spring for opportunities taking place between January 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026. More information to come.
The application form is here.
SOF Guidelines and FAQs are here.
Note that, at this time, SOF funding is only available via reimbursement, after the opportunity has taken place. (Applications are welcome before or after the opportunity.)
Applications will be reviewed by the student-led Student Opportunity Fund Committee on a monthly basis.
Reach out to s...@berkeley.edu with any questions.
SXSW Pitch
SXSW Pitch is a premier startup showcase spotlighting the most ambitious entrepreneurs and disruptive technologies from around the world. Now in its 18th year, this dynamic event invites startups to apply through an open call process for a chance to be featured as a finalist.
Join us March 13-14, 2026, as startup innovation takes center stage in downtown Austin. Over two high-energy days, a live audience and a panel of expert investor judges will explore the forefront of emerging technology sectors.
The 2026 SXSW Pitch will feature 45 cutting-edge startups across nine industry categories:
Enterprise & Future of Work
Entertainment, Media, Sports & Creator Content
Healthcare, AssistiveTech & BioTech
Innovative World Tech
Intelligent Systems, Robotics & Multisensory Technology
Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics
Smart Data, Security & FinTech
Student Startups
Sustainability, AgTech & Food
Apply now to share your vision, connect with top-tier investors, and gain exposure on a global stage.
RURAL HEATH HACKATHON
🚀 Calling All Berkeley Builders and Innovators: Want to Fix Healthcare? Start Here
If you’re excited about building health solutions that actually matter, the moment is now. The federal government just launched a $50B Rural Health Transformation program—one of the biggest health investments in decades. This is the time for new ideas and out of the box thinking.
💡Join the Rural Health Hackathon (Mar 13-16, 2026) to help shape the future of rural health. Over one immersive weekend you and your team will design solutions to real rural health challenges.
You will research the problem, get hands-on support from mentors, build blueprints, and pitch to a powerhouse panel of judges, including YC founder and Berkeley Impact Fellow, Nikita Singareddy.
Finalists compete for $6,000 in cash prizes
This event – brought to you by the Berkeley Public Health Social Impact Team – is open to all current UC Berkeley students. No prior experience in policy or rural health is required!
Info Sessions: Dec 3 & Dec 8, 5–6 pm
👉 Click here to register
Register for the Hackathon by Jan 31
👉 Learn more and register on our website
Contact Claudia Williams for more information.
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This newsletter was created with assistance from artificial intelligence to help summarize events and programs.
To add your event to the Jacobs Student Newsletter, please contact Janrey Javier at janrey...@berkeley.edu.
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