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Young Scholar Development
Bunche Fellows Program
Advancing Scholarship and Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders

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, as well as faculty mentors, 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 art to health, economics, education, and the biological sciences – advancing new knowledge that deepens understanding and drives impact.

Structured around a collaborative, mentorship-based model, the program supports collaborative research teams made up of undergraduate fellows, graduate fellows, and BFP Faculty Mentors. These BFP Research Teams form the foundation of the Bunche Fellows Program and work together to advance original research on Black life:

  • Undergraduate fellows who apply through a competitive process to gain hands-on research experience and mentorship. Undergraduate fellows work closely with a BFP Faculty Mentor to develop an original research project or to contribute to a faculty mentor’s ongoing research.
  • Graduate fellows selected by faculty mentors to collaborate on research projects aligned with the Center’s mission. Graduate fellows serve in Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions, providing near-peer mentorship and research support to undergraduate fellows while developing their own scholarly and professional skills.
  • Faculty mentors who guide and support fellows’ research and mentorship experiences. Faculty mentors lead research training, oversee project development, and support the academic and professional growth of undergraduate and graduate fellows.

Postdoctoral fellows also contribute to the Bunche Fellows Program as part of the broader BFP community, supporting the Center’s research agenda, program evaluation efforts, and the mentoring of undergraduate and graduate fellows in collaboration with the program’s faculty directors.

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.

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Undergraduate Fellowship Requirements 

The Bunche Center welcomes UCLA undergraduate students to apply to the Bunche Fellows Program

Applicants must have:

  • A minimum 3.0 GPA
  • A strong interest in African American Studies
  • A commitment to developing research and analytical skills

While students from all majors are welcome to apply, priority consideration is given to African American Studies majors and minors.

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BFP Faculty Mentors: Shaping the Next Generation of Scholars

The BFP also welcomes applications from UCLA faculty members whose scholarship engages the study of Black life and who are committed to mentorship.

Faculty mentors apply to participate in the program and propose a research project suitable for collaboration with an undergraduate fellow. As part of the application, faculty share their mentorship philosophy and plans for working with an undergraduate fellow and a graduate fellow as part of a collaborative research team. Selected faculty mentors receive:

  • A research stipend to support their scholarly work; and
  • Funding to support the hiring of a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) for the academic year.

Faculty mentors are active members of the BFP community and contribute to its intellectual life, mentorship culture, and broader mission. Faculty members interested in serving as a BFP Faculty Mentor are encouraged to attend a BFP information session and review the faculty application materials.

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5 Years of Impact

The Bunche Fellows Program celebrates the impact of research, mentorship, and community. Across disciplines, fellows are advancing scholarship that deepens understanding of Black life and fuels meaningful change.

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    Research Projects Supported
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    Undergraduates and Graduate Students Supported
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Timeline

Application & Fellowship Process

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    Recruitment begins
    January 2026
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    Information sessions
    January 2026
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    Application opens
    February 2026
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    Applications due
    March 2026
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    Recipients announced
    May 2026
  • Fellowship begins
    September 2026
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    Fellowship ends
    June 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fellowship experience like?

Our program prioritizes faculty-guided research, structured coursework, and a supportive scholarly community focused on the study of Black life. Fellows build research, writing, and professional skills, receive a stipend, and gain preparation for graduate study while engaging collaboratively with peers, graduate students, and scholars. Recipients of the Bunche Fellowship are matched with a faculty mentor and required to take a research course each quarter of their fellowship year (fall through summer) with BFP Co-Faculty Directors, Dr. Ketema Paul and Dr. Courtney Thomas Tobin.

 

What is the time commitment for the fellowship?

The BFP spans all four quarters of an academic year, running from fall through summer. Throughout the fellowship year, participants enroll in a research course each quarter taught by BFP Faculty Directors. In addition to coursework, fellows work closely with faculty mentors on ongoing research projects, contributing to faculty-led research initiatives while developing their own research skills within the program’s structured, year-long framework.

 

What do you look for in successful fellowship applicants?

The BFP seeks academically strong applicants who are passionate about studying Black life, with clear, aligned research interests and a desire to develop research skills. Students from any major may apply, though engagement in African American Studies is beneficial. Strong writing, thoughtful essays, and solid references enhance competitiveness. More specifically, we are seeking undergraduate applicants with:

  • A minimum 3.0 GPA with demonstrated academic excellence and a strong aptitude for research.
  • A genuine interest and passion for African American Studies and/or Black experiences, and related social, cultural, historical, or policy issues as the BFP is designed to deepen research engagement specifically around topics connected to Black life and communities.
  • A strong desire to engage in meaningful research projects under faculty mentorship.
  • Clearly articulated research interests and how research on Black life aligns with their academic goals.
  • Academic discipline and research focus

I am an international student. Am I eligible to apply for the fellowship?

Yes. International students are eligible to apply to the program.

Are students required to work during academic school breaks?

No. Students are not required to work during breaks.

What types of projects do fellows get to work on?

Undergraduate Bunche Fellows work on faculty-led research projects that explore the conditions of Black life across disciplines. Examples include studying the school-to-prison pipeline and its effects on communities of color, the social history of Black Los Angeles, and health disparities linked to systemic inequities. These projects are shaped by faculty interests and can involve data analysis, literature review, community engagement, and contributions to ongoing scholarly work.

How do I become a Bunche Fellow?

To become an undergraduate Bunche Fellow at UCLA, students must apply during the annual recruitment cycle, which usually begins in January. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements (such as a minimum 3.0 GPA, a strong interest in the study of Black life, and a goal to develop research skills) and submit their applications when the call opens. Successful applicants are chosen by the Bunche Fellows Program and, if selected, are paired with a faculty mentor and must complete a research course during their fellowship year.

 

 

 

If I need assistance with my application, what should I do? 

  1. Contact the Bunche Center directly.
  2. Attend an information session.
  3. Use UCLA advising and student support resources.
  4. Ask academic advisors and faculty for help.

I have another question that is not listed here. Who can I contact?

Please contact the program directors or the program administrator, Lily Yanez.

BFP Team