The Faculty Mentor Program (FMP) forms an important link in the continuum of support for academically promising graduate students. This award assists recipients in acquiring and developing advanced research skills under faculty mentorship. It is designed to improve mentoring for UC Merced (UCM) doctoral students who will not be at the dissertation stage during the award period, but who are currently engaged in research with a faculty mentor.  The award is expected to increase the number of students who complete their Ph.D. degree and successfully acquire a faculty appointment. Typically, 1-2 fellowships are awarded each year, contingent upon available funding.

Complete Guidelines

Apply Here -->FMP Fellowship

Eligibility Requirements & Standards

• Continuing UC Merced Doctoral students in any graduate program who will not be at the dissertation stage during the tenure of the award, but who are currently engaged in research with a faculty mentor, are eligible for nomination.
• All applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents.
• All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their graduate studies at UC Merced, and be enrolled full-time during the award period.
• Must submit a Free Applicaiton for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov
• The student is expected to conduct research under the guidance of the faculty mentor during the Fall semester and to develop an independent project for the spring semester.

Support

• Recipients will receive a fellowship of $20,700, paid monthly over a 9-month period plus payment of University fees and Graduate Student Health Insurance, excluding nonresident tuition and campus fees.
• Fellows are eligible for up to $500 (to be used within the awarded year) for travel expenses related to conference presentation.
• Total projected award is $34,894.
• Fellows may not be employed during the tenure of this fellowship.

Application Procedures

• This application is open to all students who meet the eligibility criteria. Faculty advisors are encouraged to invite eligible students apply on the basis of academic merit as well as contribution to program and campus diversity.
• Students must complete the online application by February 15, 2013 at 5pm. The application is available at http://gradopportunities.ucmerced.edu. The application includes the following:
  • Student’s curriculum vita (CV).
  • Copy of unofficial UCM transcript or working copy, including Fall 2012.
  • A brief (2-4 page) schedule of training goals and activities for the 9-month time period. The plan should include joint participation in meetings of professional societies, and/or unit committees, seminars or activities that provide professional development as faculty of the future. The statement should be written for faculty members from all disciplines.
  • Complete the financial information section on the application indicating all sources of financial support the applicant has received as a graduate student at UC Merced.  The name, type, time period, and amount of support should be included for each source.  Also include a list of financial obligations.
  • Faculty advisor name and email must be provided under the Letters of Recommendation tab on the online application form.  Advisors will receive an email request for a letter of support for the applicant.  Please note that the letter of support will go to the Graduate Division and the Graduate Research Council (GRC), and will not be visible to the applicant.  Advisors must submit letters no later than February 20, 2013 at 5pm.  The letter of support should include a description of the mentor relationship and the project that the student will complete during the 9-month period; 2) how the experiences, accomplishments and points of view of the individual contribute to the diversity of the graduate program; and 3) how the student’s academic research interest and degree goals relate to cultural, societal or educational issues, particularly in terms of educationally disadvantaged segments of society.

Each Graduate Group will nominate and rank their top two applicants, and provide a short narrative outlining the process and rationale for nominations. Nominations should be based on program criteria listed above. Each Graduate Group must submit their ranked list and narrative to the Graduate Division by March 12, 2013 at 5pm.

 Only complete applications and nomination packages will be reviewed

*The Graduate Division reserves the right not to make an award in any given year for which a call for applications has been issued.