The Bunche Fellows Program (BFP) is a research and mentorship initiative with a mission to center and expand the study of Black life.
The program supports undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellows from across UCLA’s disciplines to pursue original research that is informed by, relevant to, or shaped by the experiences of Black communities.
Through rigorous, community-centered scholarship, fellows explore the many dimensions of Black life – from politics, culture, and health to art, economics, and education – advancing new knowledge that deepens understanding and drives impact.
Structured across three interconnected levels, the program funds:
- Undergraduate fellows who apply through a competitive process to gain hands-on research experience and mentorship.
- Graduate fellows selected by faculty mentors to collaborate on research projects aligned with the Center’s mission.
- Postdoctoral fellows whose work pushes the boundaries of Black Studies and contributes to the Center’s research agenda.
Together, Bunche Fellows form a vibrant, interdisciplinary community dedicated to research, dialogue, and discovery. Each cohort contributes to the Center’s broader vision of transforming scholarship into action, illuminating the complexities of Black life, and shaping a more equitable future.
