Apply to the MMUF Program

Read our Q&A with Current Mellon Mays Fellows

The 2026 application cycle for the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship is now open, and the priority deadline is Friday, February 20, 2026. The application deadline for incoming transfer students is in late July (date TBA).

Office Hours for prospective applicants:

Alberto Ledesma, Wednesdays 11am-12pm and by appointment, 2411 Dwinelle Hall

Maria Faini, Tuesdays 1-2pm and by appointment, 2413 Dwinelle Hall

Application Materials:

  • MMUF Application
  • At least two letters of recommendation, one of which must be a faculty member who has taught you directly. Faculty should submit the Recommendation Letter Form.
  • Statement of purpose (up to 3 pages): Address how you demonstrate the values of the MMUF program and Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. A biography of Dr. Mays can be found here
  • As applicants for the MMUF program, you are required to apply for at least one summer research program (in-person or virtual). Possible programs are listed on our Resources page. Students should ideally participate in programs at other institutions. Most deadlines are approximately February 1. For the few programs that require you to be an MMUF scholar, indicate on your application that you have applied for the UC Berkeley MMUF program.
  • For advice on how best to prepare these materials, please attend office hours and/or refer to this guide to Demystifying the MMUF Application Process.

Eligibility and Requirements:

Berkeley MMUF criteria:

  • Second semester Sophomore standing;
  • Interest in pursuing graduate education, especially a PhD, in a Mellon-designated field of the humanities or humanistic social sciences (a list of eligible fields can be viewed below); 
  • Academic promise (minimum 3.4 GPA);
  • Potential for serving as a mentor and teacher for 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 also apply.

Eligible Fields of Study:

Students from all Arts & Humanities majors are encouraged to apply to MMUF if they are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in an eligible Mellon field (click here for a full list), as are students in a variety of social science disciplines. Past recipients have included students in the following departments:

Division of Arts & Humanities

  • Ancient Greek & Roman Studies
  • Art Practice
  • Comparative Literature
  • East Asian Languages & Cultures
  • English
  • Film & Media
  • French
  • German
  • History of Art
  • Italian Studies
  • Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Rhetoric
  • Scandinavian
  • Slavic Languages & Literatures
  • South & Southeast Asian Studies
  • Spanish & Portuguese
  • Theater, Dance & Performance Studies

Division of Social Sciences

  • African American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Gender & Women's Studies
  • Geography
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Sociology