Inclusion and Diversity
Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to Caltech's commitment to scientific excellence. Scholars with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives bring fresh insights and innovative approaches that hasten solutions to the most difficult scientific problems and societal challenges.
We invite you to partner with us in fostering an environment where the brightest, most creative minds from every segment of society and every corner of the globe can achieve their fullest academic and professional potential.
With your gift to any of the opportunities described below, you can support scientists and engineers whose discoveries will create a better world.
First-Year Success Research Institute
Caltech's First-Year Success Research Institute (FSRI) is a comprehensive five-week program of orientation and academic support for first-year students; it is designed to provide a space in which all Caltech first-year students can feel a sense of belonging. By introducing students to Caltech's rigorous math curriculum, culture, and academic and student support services, FSRI eases the transition from high school to college and builds a strong foundation in research.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Graduate Summer Research Institute
The Graduate Summer Research Institute brings recently admitted graduate students to campus to help them acclimate to Caltech and build community prior to the start of their graduate studies. The program is modeled operated in conjunction with the Center for Inclusion & Diversity.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Presidential Graduate Fellowships
A diverse cadre of graduate students enlivens the academic community, accelerates research, and inspires faculty mentors as well as other students to think about their work in new ways. Caltech aims to create at least 10 centrally administered Presidential Graduate Fellowships. The fellowships will ensure that students can focus on their research, education, and goals instead of their funding.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
WAVE Fellows Program
The WAVE Fellows program aims to increase the participation in science and engineering PhD studies and make Caltech more visible and accessible to students who traditionally have not been exposed to the Institute. WAVE focuses on sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors from other institutions of higher education who intend to pursue graduate school. The program brings students to campus for 10 weeks of summer research enhanced by weekly faculty seminars, academic and professional development workshops, and social and cultural activities.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Discretionary Fund for Faculty Inclusion and Diversity
The Discretionary Fund for Faculty Inclusion and Diversity will provide recruitment funds for participation in conferences, stipends to bring visiting faculty to Caltech, and other resources to support the recruitment and retention of faculty.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows Program
The Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows Program was established with the aim of providing support for an inclusive postdoctoral community at Caltech. Fellows receive stipends, mentoring and services that build community and foster professional development.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Center for Inclusion & Diversity
The Center for Inclusion & Diversity seeks to foster an environment where various perspectives are not just valued, but celebrated. The center offers a wide range of opportunities to build cultural competencies and skills, promotes and provides access to educational resources that advance academic and personal goals of inclusion, and hosts affinity spaces and skill-building opportunities for all members of the Institute community to engage with issues related to diversity and individual identities.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach
Founded in 2012, the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO) works to build inclusive and evidence-based teaching practices at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels. The CTLO also facilitates interest in STEM among the broader community. Gifts to the CTLO support this vital work and enable Caltech to expand programs that engage the Institute, Pasadena, and Los Angeles communities in STEM, from kindergarten through graduate school and beyond.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Diversity Outreach Fund
The Diversity Outreach Fund enables Caltech to develop and test innovative outreach initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of basic science and engineering principles among students at local pre–k, elementary, middle, and high schools. The fund is managed by the President's Diversity Council in coordination with the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach.
For more information, contact Nicole Weaver-Goller, senior director of development.
Division-based Inclusion and Diversity Funds
Each of Caltech's six academic divisions—Biology and Biological Engineering; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Engineering and Applied Science; Geological and Planetary Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy—is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. Division-based funds provide essential resources that division chairs can use to create scholarships or fellowships, support the recruitment of faculty from all backgrounds, invite visiting faculty and other speakers to present to the campus community, and implement other initiatives that foster an inclusive academic environment.
For more information, contact Bettie Woods, executive director of development.
Caltech is committed to equal opportunity for all persons without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by the state and federal law. It is the policy of Caltech to provide a work and academic environment free of discrimination as required by federal and state law, including Title IX which prohibits discrimination based on sex in Caltech's educational programs and activities. Caltech will take all reasonable steps to address and prevent discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence in its work and academic environment, in accordance with its anti-discrimination policies and procedures.