Who is eligible to apply to the Mellon Mays program?
2nd and 3rd year students at UC Riverside who can commit to two full years in the MMUF program.
Sophomores (2nd year students)
Students entering their second year at UCR who will be enrolling at UCR for two more years. Example: Latera starts her 2nd year at UCR in fall 2022 and plans to graduate in spring 2025 (four years total at UCR.)
Juniors (3rd year students)
Juniors who plan to spend another two years at UCR. Example: Miguel enters his third year at UCR in fall 2022 and plans to graduate in spring 2025 (five years total at UCR.)
Transfer students
Students who have applied to transfer (or have recently transferred) to UCR and who plan to spend two full years at UCR after the year they apply to the program. Example: Kris transfers to UCR in the 2022-23 year and plans to graduate in spring 2025.
Students who are eligible to apply will demonstrate the following:
Identification with the goals of MMUF
The Mellon Mays program is designed to help diversify the faculty in higher education by supporting traditionally under-represented scholars. Applications are particularly encouraged from African-Americans, Latinos and Latinas, Native Americans, and members of other underrepresented groups in the MMUF-supported fields. The program seeks students who demonstrate commitment to the goals of MMUF: to reduce the serious underrepresentation on faculties of individuals from minority groups, as well as to address the consequences of these racial disparities for the educational system itself and for the larger society that it serves. Examples of such commitment might include serious undergraduate research into racial disparities in higher education; a strong record of tutoring students from underrepresented groups; sustained mentoring of children from such groups; or other forms of community service or leadership activities in campus or off-campus organizations.
Curiosity about research
Students with questions and curiosity and who would like to know more about how scholars conduct research.
Interest in graduate school
Eligible students are those thinking about graduate school in an MMUF supported field. The program does not provide support for those who plan to pursue law, medical, business or technical schools.
Commitment to academic excellence
Minimum GPA requirement of 3.3 overall and a strong academic promise.
Dedication
Availability for, and commitment to, full and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the MMUF program, including attendance at conferences and meetings.
Leadership and service
Potential for serving as a mentor and teacher for a wide variety of students.
Financial aid eligibility
Status as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Undocumented and DACA students may also apply. International students are not eligible for MMUF.
Major in a field supported by MMUF
Majors, double majors and minors in the following fields: Anthropology & Archaeology, Area/Cultural/Ethnic/Gender Studies, Art History, Classics, Geography & Population Studies, English, Film, Cinema & Media Studies (theoretical focus), Musicology, Ethnomusicology & Music Theory, Foreign Languages & Literatures, History, Linguistics, Literature, Performance Studies (theoretical focus), Philosophy & Political Theory, Religion & Theology, Sociology, Theater (theoretical focus)