25 Siebel Scholars

The Siebel Scholars Program was founded in 2000 to recognize the most talented students at the world’s leading graduate schools of business, computer science, bioengineering, and energy science including Carnegie Mellon University; École Polytechnique; Harvard University; Johns Hopkins University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Northwestern University; Politecnico di Torino; Princeton University; Stanford University; Tsinghua University; University of California, Berkeley; University of California, San Diego; University of Chicago; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; University of Pennsylvania; and University of Tokyo.

Each year, outstanding graduate students from different institutions are honored as Siebel Scholars based on academic excellence and leadership. Each Siebel Scholar receives a merit-based award of $35,000 in the final year of his or her graduate studies. The award is granted in addition to any other financial aid, assistantships, fellowships, loans, or other awards they may receive.

Today, over 1,600 of the world’s brightest minds are Siebel Scholars. This exceptional group has the unique opportunity to directly influence the technologies, policies, and economic and social decisions that shape the future. Siebel Scholars serve as key advisors to the Siebel Foundation, guiding the development of innovative programs the Foundation initiates. The Siebel Scholars community is also integral to a highly outcome-driven Siebel Scholars conference to explore critical social issues.

Criteria

The Siebel Scholars award is based solely upon academic achievement and excellence and is not need-based financial aid. A committee shall nominate five outstanding students as nominees for this merit-based award. Each of the five nominees must meet all of the following criteria at the time of selection:

• Nominee ranks within the top 10% of their Department of Computer Science class based on academic results.

• Nominee has a track record of distinguished academic merit.

• Nominee demonstrates excellent leadership qualities.

• Nominee has completed at least one year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is reasonably expected to have only one year remaining in the Master’s program, or be in the last year of the undergraduate program in a co-terminus undergraduate and Master’s program (in which case the student should expect to graduate with both degrees within one academic year), or Nominee is a Master’s student in a 16 or 18 month program (either those who have been in the Master’s program for one year and have six months left, or those who have been in the program for six months and have one year left).

All awardees must be registered and attend classes at an affiliate Siebel Scholars campus in a degree-seeking program. If a student is not currently enrolled in classes, or transfers to a non-affiliated Siebel Scholars campus, the Foundation must be notified, and the award may be rescinded.

Please note: BS, MCS, and BS/MCS students are not eligible for this award. PhD students who earn a MS as part of their graduate studies are also ineligible.

Application Materials

Applications should be submitted in PDF form (except for photographs) by Sunday, 6/16/24 at 11:59 PM to the CS Awards Team (cs-awards@mx.uillinois.edu). Please have letter of recommendation writers submit their letters in PDF form directly to the CS Awards Team (cs-awards@mx.uillinois.edu).

You must provide a:

• Biography Statement - A short statement, 100-150 words in length, written in the third person, and at minimum, describing your research and employment history. (It may be best to think of the biography like a short abstract or executive summary of your case – it will duplicate information from the CV, research statement, and excellence/leadership statement.) 

  • For examples of the sort of statement that is appropriate, see the biographies of a few CS faculty (please note that these are longer):

1. Prof. Adve

2. Prof. Amato

• Research Statement (2 page limit, 12 point font) - Discuss past, current, and planned (likely your thesis) research. In addition, describe your motivation to do research. Where appropriate, please discuss the intellectual merit and the broader impacts of your research (that is, discuss the actual/likely/possible scientific and broader societal contributions/repercussions of your research).

• Excellence/Leadership Statement (2 page limit, 12 point font) - Discuss any notable achievements and/or activities that demonstrate your excellence, but especially those that show your qualities and contributions as a leader. For example, volunteer/community service contributions, student leadership contributions, artistic contributions, and/or involvement in business-related or entrepreneurial activities. (This discussion should include all such activities, not just activities at Illinois – i.e. undergraduate activities should be discussed.)

• Letter of recommendation from thesis adviser - If you do not have an adviser, then this letter should be from a faculty member who knows you well.  We recommend that you request this letter as soon as possible since many faculty are, or will be, traveling during the summer.

• Resume - A current resume that includes your most up-to-date GPA, contact information, and your degree start and completion dates. 

• Photograph - A high-resolution, professional color photograph of yourself. Please submit the photo in JPG or PNG file formats only. iCard photos will not be accepted. 

Please note that if selected, the Siebel Scholars Foundation has authorization to publish these materials (including resume, biography, photograph, and contact information) on www.siebelscholars.com.