About the National Mellon Mays Undergraduate Program:

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) Program is the centerpiece of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's initiatives to reduce, over time, the serious underrepresentation on faculties of individuals from certain minority groups, as well as to address the attendant educational consequences of these disparities. The rationale behind this statement of objectives is:

(1) Reducing racial disparities among faculty members and including faculty members committed to eradicating such disparities will facilitate efforts to increase the diversity of students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate program, in part because the presence of more faculty role models will encourage more minority students to apply and to enroll.

(2) The increased presence of minority faculty members and faculty members committed to eradicating racial disparities can also be expected to increase retention of minority students, through improving the educational climate and enhancing the support structure for these students -- in part by giving them the opportunity to form meaningful intellectual and personal relationships with faculty members from a wide variety of backgrounds.

(3) Larger numbers of minority faculty members and faculty members committed to MMUF's mission will enhance the educational experience for all students by: (a) introducing a wider variety of backgrounds, which is likely to broaden the perspectives voiced in classroom discussions and in campus life in general; and (b) breaking down stereotypes and promoting cross-racial understanding through exposure to distinguished scholars from previously underrepresented groups.

(4) Faculty members are themselves important leaders in American society, serving in many influential roles both on and off campus, including in business, civic life, and government, and more minority faculty members and those committed to MMUF's mission will benefit society at large by bringing more diverse leadership and understanding to our increasingly diverse population.

Thirty-four colleges and universities and the consortium of 39 member institutions of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) participate in MMUF. Over 2000 students have been selected as Mellon Fellows since MMUF was established in 1989. Currently, more than 200 of these individuals have earned their PhD and joined the ranks of faculty at institutions across the country. This number includes 10 tenured Mellon faculty members and 26 Mellon PhDs teaching at MMUF schools.  Over 500 former Fellows are now in graduate school, moving steadily toward the completion of their doctorate; over 390 current undergraduate Fellows are working with faculty mentors and preparing for the next phase in their academic careers. 

The 34 campus-based programs are coordinated by faculty members or academic administrators. The UNCF project is administered by a director with the assistance of a five-person advisory committee. Although institutional programs may vary, the terms and conditions for all programs are the same. Typically, undergraduates are identified in the sophomore year and funded for two academic years. They are selected according to demonstrated academic ability, interest in the specified fields, and interest in pursuing a doctorate.

The grant provides students with four forms of support: faculty mentoring, modest term-time compensation for research activities, stipend support for summer research activities, and repayment of undergraduate and/or graduate loans of up to $10,000 if Fellows pursue doctoral study in one of the specified fields. Once in graduate school, fellows may apply for continuing support through various programs.

MMUF-Supported Fields of Study: