Fellowships

    The Institute for Citizens & Scholars fellowships uphold a proud tradition of investing in exceptional people and transformative ideas to strengthen democracy. Each fellowship has its own eligibility criteria, typically recruiting annually and providing funding to individuals, institutions, or organizations.

    How to Apply Meet the Fellows

    graduate student looking at books on a library shelf

    Career Enhancement Fellowship

    The Career Enhancement Fellows are exceptional scholars whose work broadens the range of perspectives and understandings offered on college campuses and creates opportunities for crucial new scholarly voices to be heard in disciplines and institutions.

    Explore

    Civic Spring Fellowship

    Civic Spring Fellows are young people and members of youth-centered organizations working on projects that address pressing issues facing communities.

    Explore

    Higher Ed Media Fellowship

    Higher Ed Media Fellows are journalists interested in diving deeper into underreported issues in higher education.

    Explore

    Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award

    The Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders are building inclusive campus communities through their teaching, scholarship, and service.

    Explore
    two graduates hugging in their caps and gowns

    Mellon Mays GAP

    The GAP helps Mellon Mays Fellows who have recently graduated maintain their graduate school ambitions and progress towards an academic career.

    Explore
    a woman standing and speaking to associates who are seated around a table

    MMUF Advancement Program

    Fellows are alumni of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program and gather to workshop graduate school applications, receive funding for additional research, and are supported throughout their dissertation work.

    Explore
    woman reading a book in a library

    Women’s Studies Fellowship

    Fellows are late-stage Ph.D. candidates completing original, interesting, and interdisciplinary dissertations that address issues involving women and gender.

    Explore

    Youth Civic Solutions Competition

    We’re calling on bold, creative young people from across the nation to submit their innovative ideas on boosting civic knowledge, engagement, and trust.

    Explore

    Explore our expert guide on applying for higher education fellowships to gain insights and strategies to strengthen your application.

    Explore Past Fellowships

    Explore the rich history of our fellowships dating back to 1945, including the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, Teaching Fellowship, the Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellowship, Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship, and many more.

    Past Programs

    27,000 Fellows since 1945

    Our Fellow community includes 16 Nobel Laureates, 22 Pulitzer Prize recipients, 27 Presidential and National Medalists, 44 MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipients, and more than 100 college and university presidents.

    Meet The Fellows