Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) Program

• Undergraduate Research
• / Funding Opportunities

General Information

The fundamental objective of Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) is to increase the number of minority students, and others with a demonstrated commitment to eradicating racial disparities, who will pursue Ph.D.s in core fields in the arts and sciences. The program aims to reduce over time the serious underrepresentation on the faculties of individuals from certain minority groups, as well as to address the attendant educational consequences of these disparities. The program serves the related goals of structuring campus environments so that they will be more conducive to improved racial and ethnic relations, and of providing role models for all youth.

The MMUF Program at Penn provides a small cohort of extraordinary Humanities and Social Sciences undergraduates with an intergenerational, intellectual family that nurtures their disciplinary aspirations. Penn undergraduate students selected as MMUF Fellows are matched with a faculty mentor who serves as a role model and research advisor. Under the mentor’s guidance, Fellows are encouraged to discover an intellectual identity as they begin the next process of becoming scholars and teachers through their preparation to enter and complete their selected graduate programs.

Fellows receive benefits including paid national and international summer research internships, research support during the academic year, book stipends, access to disciplinary conferences, and other opportunities. Overall, the Penn MMUF program is designed to encourage fellows to enter PhD programs that prepare students for professorial careers; it is not intended to support students who intend to go on to medical school, law school or other professional schools.

Eligibility Guidelines

Current sophomore and juniors at Penn are eligible to apply for the Penn MMUF, and applications are particularly encouraged from groups markedly under-­represented on college and university faculties including underrepresented minorities (URM). To participate in the Penn MMUF program, students must plan to complete select graduate study Humanities or Social Sciences fields. MMUF also welcomes applicants who may not come from under-represented groups who have a demonstrated commitment to the goals of the MMUF.

Qualifications to join the program include:

• Current Sophomore or Junior
• GPA of 3.0 or Above
• Demonstrated commitment to the goals of MMUF
• Availability for, and commitment to, full and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the MMUF program, including weekly attendance at conferences and meetings
• US citizens, permanent residents, and DACA status students all welcome to apply
• Intent to study select Humanities or Social Sciences fields

View Full List of Eligible Fields of Study

Application Details

Submit the online application form & requested materials through the link below.  

https://upenn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0xpVrjGdoqhyVwh

Requested materials include:

• Faculty Reference Letter
• Unofficial Transcript
• Resume or CV
• Personal Statement - A concise personal statement describing how your academic and career goals would be served by the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program. Be sure to include information about plans for possible research or honors projects and your scholarly interests. Include other activities you have engaged in that demonstrate your ability to take responsibility, work independently, and show initiative or perseverance. Statement should be no more than 2-3 pages.

Details:

Research Offering Type

Independent Research

Location

USA

Undergraduate School

College

Source

Penn

Contact Information