Welcome to the Big Ideas and Mastercard Foundation Alumni Scholars application portal!  The application period will open on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Please check back at that time to begin the application submission process. The deadline to submit applications is November 19, 2025, 1pm PST. 

In the meantime, if you have any questions about rules and eligibility, please refer to the program websites, contact us directly at bigideas@berkeley.edu, or schedule an appointment with a Big Ideas advisor. 

Please note: 

1. To be eligible to apply for the Big Ideas Contest, you must be a currently matriculated (degree-seeking) UC Berkeley student in Fall 2025.

2. To be eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Impact Fund, you must be a Mastercard Foundation Alumni Scholar who has graduated, or will graduate before May 2026.