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Please click here to apply.

Please note all THREE letters of recommendation must be sent to cgrant@usc.edu by the application deadline.

Deadline: 2/20/26 at 11:59 pm

Fellowships are awarded to USC sophomores and juniors during the spring semester. Participation in the program is limited to students considering graduate study towards a Ph.D. in Mellon-supported fields.

Participation is not limited by a student’s undergraduate field of concentration.

**The program is not intended for students interested in attending business school, law school, or medical school.**

The following factors are considered in the selection of USC’s MMUF fellows:

• Academic promise;
• Interest in pursuing graduate education, especially a PhD, in an eligible discipline of the humanities or humanistic social sciences (a list of eligible fields can be viewed here);
• Potential for serving as a mentor and teacher to a wide variety of students;
• Activities and leadership that reflect an interest in social justice issues and the promotion of multivocality;
• Availability for, and commitment to, full and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the MMUF program, including attendance at conferences and regular meetings;
• Response to a short essay prompt about how the applicant’s life experiences and academic goals would contribute to furthering the goal of a diverse academy; and
• Status as a US citizen or permanent resident. Students who are undocumented or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients may apply if it is consistent with their institution’s policies.

1. Completed Application Form
2. Three Letters of Recommendation (One of the letters must be written by a USC professor). For the USC selection process, recommenders are encouraged to address the following:
   • Recommenders should:
     • provide insight into the applicant’s academic potential, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to pursuing a Ph.D. in a Mellon-supported field within the humanities or humanistic social sciences.
     • speak to the student’s scholarly abilities, engagement in research or critical inquiry, and capacity for mentorship and teaching.
     • discuss the applicant’s involvement in social justice issues, leadership, and commitment to fostering broad perspectives in academia.
     • address the student’s ability to fully participate in the Mellon Mays program, including conferences and regular meetings.

Registration is now closed for our Informational Networking Reception and Dinner. This will be an opportunity to engage with the current cohort, alum, and faculty mentors involved with this prestigious program.