Brian Gialketsis SERQueer Scholarship

Brian Gialketsis holding a sign reading "Queers 4 Climate Justice."

About the Scholarship

In April 2020, the TGIF Committee voted to establish a $5,000 recurring scholarship in honor of Brian for his contributions to environmental sustainability at UC Berkeley. The name SERQueer comes from the group that Brian and other SERC alumni created in 2018, a group they described as “a community space for queer students and allies working on environmental sustainability & justice."  $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to five students selected by the SERQueer Scholarship Review Committee. Through the 2025 TGIF Referendum, the Sister Scholarships will continue to be offered through 2035.

Scholarship Goals

  • Honor the life of Brian Gialketsis and his commitment to building radically inclusive social and environmental justice spaces on the Berkeley campus 

  • Financially support queer-identifying students and allies and/or students working at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ and the environment and are passionate about the environmental field at UC Berkeley

  • Re-envision what a community scholarship can look like by eliminating barriers to entry and focusing on healing, joy, and growth rather than traumas

Applying to the Scholarship

Scholarship applications will be submitted a google form and asked to answer a few prompts. The Brian Gialketsis SERQueer Scholarship Review Committee will review all applications and recipients will be notified in late November. Please refer to the timeline below to stay up-to-date. 

    • Applications Open:  September 18th, 2026

    • Applications Close:   Friday October 16th, 2026

    • Awardees Finalized by:  Late November 2026

    • Scholarships Processed by:  Late December 2026

Eligibility

  • Registered UC Berkeley student (both undergraduate and graduate)

  • Queer identifying students and allies and/or students working at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ and the environment

  • Passionate about Environmentalism (this does not have to be your field of study)

  • Any student who meets these criteria is welcome to apply.  This includes undocumented, formerly incarcerated, and reentry students, among others.

Scholarship Application - Google Form

FAQ

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Can we use old pieces of work to answer prompts, such as an essay I wrote for another scholarship or class?

Yes! Previous work used for other scholarships, other classes, or anywhere else will be accepted.

If I do not feel comfortable sharing about my identity, can I still apply?

Yes! These questions are not meant to make you feel uncomfortable; we do not want you to share anything you do not want to share. You are not required or expected to lay out traumas, unless you feel it is important and you want to share those experiences. Please answer the questions in a way that makes you most comfortable and happiest. We want you to have fun with this! The questions are meant to be broad so applicants can have the freedom to interpret and answer as they choose.

Who sits on the Scholarship Review Committee?

The Scholarship Review Committee is composed of friends, family and colleagues of Brian, and other representatives who are queer identifying and/or familiar with environmental issues and initiatives.

Can I still apply if I am not majoring in an environmental field?

Yes! We encourage anyone who is passionate about environmentalism to apply.

How will the scholarship be administered?

The SERC Team will administer the scholarship through CalLink. You will receive the scholarship as a check. Expect payment delays up to 1-2 months after scholarship award confirmation. Please contact us if you have any questions!

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

You can email serc@berkeley.edu with any and all questions.