Two UC San Diego Undergraduates Awarded Prestigious Scholarships
The University of California San Diego’s Center for Networked Systems (CNS) is proud to announce that two undergraduate students have been awarded the 2025-2026 Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship and the Alan Turing Memorial Teradata Scholarship. These scholarships recognize students whose studies relate to networked systems and who are active supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Honoring a Legacy
The scholarships were established in 2015 to honor Alan Turing, the co-founder of computer science and a World War II-era mathematician and cryptanalyst. Turing’s code-breaking techniques played a crucial role in accelerating the Allied victory. Despite his contributions, Turing faced persecution for being gay and tragically took his life in 1954. 
(Photo Credit: Kristina Mallari)
Meet the Recipients
This year’s recipients are Kevin Garcia, a UCSD sophomore majoring in political science: public policy and business economics, and a second undergraduate student who has chosen to remain anonymous. Kevin aims to bridge the polarized gap in American politics by fostering empathy, education, and logical, unbiased rhetoric. He is passionate about advocating for marginalized communities, encouraging civic engagement, and finding common ground between political parties. Kevin’s double major allows him to explore the intersection of public policy and economic structures, equipping him with a broader skill set to address systemic inequalities.
A Commitment to Inclusivity and Empowerment
Kevin’s personal goal is to spread emotional intelligence, awareness, and inclusivity through advocacy and community-building, ensuring that both policy and society reflect values of empowerment. He believes that people should be free to embrace who they are, without fear of judgment or persecution. 
Scholarship Details
The Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship and the Alan Turing Memorial Teradata Scholarship are open to undergraduates who are active supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community and majoring in computer science, computer engineering, public policy, communications, and other programs related to networked systems. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, with a preference for those with demonstrated financial need.
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Supporting Students
CNS has made significant strides in supporting students through these scholarships. In February 2020, CNS reached its endowment goal of $250,000 for the Alan Turing Memorial Scholarship, providing an annual award of $10,000. Additionally, the Teradata Corporation donated $50,000 in 2021 to endow the Alan Turing Memorial Teradata Scholarship, providing an additional annual award of $2,000.
How to Apply
To apply for the 2026-2027 scholarships, please visit: https://cns.ucsd.edu/?p=3750.