The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF) was founded partly to rectify the problem of underrepresentation in academia. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, headquartered in New York City, the Washington University Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program celebrates the life of the mind by funding original undergraduate research in the humanities and social sciences, with an emphasis on projects pertaining to identity, social justice, and diversity.
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program encourages talented students to develop their academic interests to the fullest, obtain PhDs, and pursue careers in higher education. Washington University joins 46 other colleges and universities as well as the 39 member institutions of the United Negro College Fund in this effort. The program is open to students who show a demonstrated commitment to increasing cross-racial and ethnic understanding, who are American citizens or permanent residents, and who are majoring in one of the listed fields.
Our Roots: Benjamin E. Mays
The fellowship namesake, Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, was an active opponent of segregation and an advocate of education. After attending the University of Chicago for his master's degree and doctorate, he served as dean of the Howard University School of Religion and as president of Morehouse College. He was also the first black president of the Atlanta school board.
Read more on the national Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship website.
