Big Give 2025

February 4, 2025

Make Berkeley Moments Possible

Big Give, our annual fundraising blitz, has been online since 2014, inspiring the Cal community to make Berkeley moments possible. On March 13, 2025, we invite all members of the IES community including; UC Berkeley alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends like you to join in support of our ongoing mission. The funds raised during the Big Give assist graduate students with crucial expenses needed for their research abroad, and help undergraduate students develop their future research plans.

For more than 30 years, the Institute of European Studies has been fostering dialogue and cooperation with Europe on the Berkeley campus. From travel grants to funding for the study of less commonly taught languages, IES offers an array of giving opportunities to help our students thrive.

If you believe in our mission, we hope you'll show your support for IES during this year's BIG GIVE. Learn more about how you can support our Institute, and help us foster innovative international learning and research, then come back on March 13th to amplify the impact and positive experience of our incredible students, faculty, and research for years to come.

Student Testimonials

Hear what our students have to say about the impact of your gift!

Atiana Novikoff

During my time at IES I have made meaningful connections with scholars and students from around the world, learned about topics concerning Europe that I would have never thought of myself, and developed my professional skills in writing and communication.

Atiana Novikoff (URAP student)

Jes Heppler

IES gave me the opportunity to drastically improve my French with a six-week language immersion program in Montpellier, France. This opportunity changed what was possible both for my dissertation and for my subsequent fellowship in France the following semester. I’m so grateful to IES for this invaluable learning.

Jes Heppler (Philosophy)

Caitlin Belem Brown Romtvedt

Receiving a FLAS fellowship to study Euskara (the Basque language) as a part of my Ethnomusicology dissertation research on Basque music and dance has been invaluable. Without the FLAS fellowship, I would not have been able to spend the time here in the Basque Country doing the language study that is making my research possible.

Caitlin Belem Brown Romtvedt (Music)

Shelby Nicole Coleman

URAP means to me a dedicated space to learn and discuss European issues with like-minded peers, with the support and guidance of mentors.

Shelby Nicole Coleman (URAP Student)

Ellie Ingrid Andersen

Being part of the IES URAP team for 4 semesters has been a highlight of my undergraduate experience at Berkeley! It has provided numerous opportunities such as interviewing visiting European scholars, participating in the Schuman Challenge, and organizing the Fall Undergraduate Conference. I am grateful to IES for running such a rewarding URAP program!

Ellie Andersen

Olivia Goldring

IES provided the incredible opportunity to hone my Italian language skills in Rome for a summer. This experience enriched my time in graduate school and has played a big part in my development as a scholar. Learning another Romance language will invariably help me to achieve my future academic and professional goals.

Olivia Goldring (French)

Nikesha Renae Medard

The FLAS Fellowship has greatly aided me in ways I could not have imagined at Cal. I am extremely grateful for the award and the opportunity to learn.

Nikesha Renae Medard (City Planning)

Your Donation Makes a Difference

Your gift supports various initiatives at IES, from research to travel grants to foreign language learning.

Support our Centers

IES houses a number of centers that support area- and country-specific research and exchange programs.