ABOUT US

OUR MISSION

The Mission of the UNCF/Mellon Programs is to Transform the Academy by creating a pipeline of undergraduates who will pursue the Ph.D. with the sole intention of becoming faculty members and administrative leaders within the Academy.  Our mission is to aid in the transformation of the academy through the presence of diverse faculty whose scholarship and teaching represent varied points of view, demonstrated commitment to the humanities (broadly defined), appreciation for issues of social justice and who share a commitment to continuing to develop a pipeline of scholars to inhabit the halls of the academy as students and faculty. In addition, the Programs aim to strengthen teaching and learning at UNCF institutions by creating opportunities for UNCF faculty to enhance their teaching and scholarship through the participation in Faculty Career Enhancement opportunities. These opportunities aim to enhance and expand pedagogical strategies and create opportunities for strengthening disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and scholarship. The Faculty Career Enhancement Program encourages collaboration with distinguished faculty within and outside of the UNCF consortium. Faculty Career Enhancement programs support the continued growth and development of UNCF faculty, and the Programs aim to support initiatives that enhance the teaching and learning environment.  

Our History

The UNCF/Mellon Programs were created in 1989 with a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Designed with the goal of strengthening the number of qualified faculty within the Academy, these programs target undergraduates and faculty at the consortium of 37 UNCF institutions and Hampton University. PLEASE NOTE: The Faculty Doctoral Fellowship Program (1990) and the Summer Internship for Ecology (1994) have been discontinued.

  • Mellon Mays Undergraduate
    Fellowship Program     1989
  • Teaching and
    Learning Institute     2001
  • International
    Seminar     2002
  • Faculty
    Residency     2006
  • Domestic
    Seminar     2010
  • Faculty Development
    Award     2015
Programs

Programs

  • Sophomore level or above
  • GPA 3.2 and above
  • Intellectually engaged
  • PhD programs in humanities, designated sciences and social science diciplines
  • Interested in pursuing PhD in one of the Mellon designated fields
  • Must enter graduate school no later than 39 months after receiving undergraduate degree
  • Several resources available through the Social Science Research Council Mellon Initiative
  • Remember...once a fellow, always a fellow
  • International Faculty Seminar
  • Domestic Faculty Seminar
  • Faculty Residency Program
  • Teaching and Learning Institutes
  • Junior Faculty Development Grant

Our UNCF Institutions

There are 37 UNCF institutions plus Hampton Univerisity in the United States.