Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter: December 17th, 2025
Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter
UPCOMING@JACOBS
Jacobs Institute-organized events, news, and announcements—straight from the source.
DECEMBER MAKERSPACE CLOSURE
The Jacobs Maker space will be closed on December 18th in order for the staff to attend an off-site event.
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 EXTENDED: Wednesday, December 10th, 9AM PST Monday, January 5th, 9AM PST
2026 Jacobs Student Innovation Council Applications NOW OPEN
The Jacobs Student Innovation Council is seeking dedicated, diverse undergraduate and graduate students to serve as the authentic voice of the Jacobs community for 2026. As a member, you will directly influence strategic planning, program development, and resource evolution by bringing student perspectives to the forefront. This is a unique opportunity to act as a change agent, leading crucial Student Community Town Halls, analyzing data to propose and implement solutions, and offering vital feedback to Jacobs staff and leadership. Commit just 1-2 hours per week to regular meetings and engagement programming, and you'll play a vital role in fostering an equitable, inclusive, and collaborative environment, ultimately empowering students to excel in designing technologies that benefit people and the planet. Learn more about the program here.
Submit an application by Monday, February 2nd, 9AM PST.
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST
non-Jacobs Institute-affiliated events, opportunities, and programs—at your fingertips.
Coding it Forward 2026 Summer Fellowship
Coding it Forward’s paid, ten-week Fellowship empowers early-career technologists to innovate in local, state, and federal government offices across the United States. Fellows work on high-impact projects in cybersecurity, data, design, product management, and software engineering that contribute to building a more equitable and effective government for all.
Applications will open on Monday, January 5 and close on Monday, January 19 at 11:59 PM PT. Applicants must select one of the following tracks for their submission: cybersecurity, data, design, product management, or software engineering.
Join us at an upcoming info session to learn more about the Fellowship and the application process, hear directly from alumni, and get your questions answered. You can register by clicking one of the links below:
Wednesday, January 7 at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET
Tuesday, January 13 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET
DanceHack 2026 - RESONANT BODIES
DanceHack is a 3 day festival with workshops, collaborations and mini performances created on the spot!
Join Kinetech Arts at the University of California, Berkeley for DanceHack 2026 - Resonant Bodies on Feb 20-22, 2026!
This in-person event will bring together dancers, choreographers, scientists, enginners, and interdisciplinary artists to explore the intersection of dance, science and technology. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just curious, this event is perfect for anyone interested in pushing boundaries, exploring new creative possibilities and adding their voices in the development of humancentric technologies.
Don't miss out in this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and create with like-minded individuals.
We offer sliding scale prices so that everyone can participate! Honestly, pick the tier that is appropriate to you. No questions asked! We trust our community! Student registration is $50 for a limited time.
Learn details at www.dancehack.org. Register here.
Interested in volunteering? Complete this form. It is first come first serve, with a max of 10 sign up spots and registration is free.
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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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