Mellon Mays GAP Grant

The Mellon Mays Graduate Assistance Program (GAP) supports alumni of the Mellon Mays initiative in their journey to graduate school. By providing resources like structured gap year activities, media resources, and mentoring, the program aims to bridge the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies. It has successfully placed over 90 scholars in advanced programs, fostering diverse perspectives in academia. GAP addresses challenges faced during the gap year, ensuring participants remain engaged and prepared for their academic careers.

NOTE: This program is open only to alumni of the Mellon Mays.
Fellowships for Graduate Students
Citizens & Scholars offers four Fellowships for Graduate Students
Bridging Undergraduate and Graduate Study
Fellows participating in the Mellon Mays Graduate Assistance Program (GAP) bring diverse perspectives to their graduate studies. The GAP helps Mellon Mays Fellows who have recently graduated maintain their graduate school ambitions and progress towards an academic career. Fellows gather to workshop applications and statements of purpose, determine the fit of graduate programs, and network with past Fellows.
Undergraduate Fellowship and funded by the Mellon Foundation.
The Challenge: Diverse perspectives have been historically excluded from higher educationThe Fellows: More than 90 scholars have been accepted into graduate programs, of which, 67% are currently or have completed Ph.D. programsThe Impact: Pipeline for increased perspective in graduate studies and faculty is strengthened
Mellon Mays Gap Assistance Program
When there’s a gap between earning your undergraduate degree and pursuing your Ph.D., reduced contact with the academy, time management concerns, work-life balance, and other issues can make it more challenging to complete your application to a doctoral program.
Mellon Mays GAP provides the resources that Mellon Mays Fellows who are now successful graduate students and Ph.D.s cited as critical for getting through the gap year(s):

• Structured template of gap year activities with staff follow-up and accountability with peers on your track.
• Live and on-demand media resources including webinar courses, handouts, video interviews with more senior Fellows.
• Predoctoral coaching and mentoring, regional events and virtual conversations.
• Intensive bootcamps in spring and fall (most expenses paid) to prepare for graduate school.
• Track 1 & 2
• Track 1 - June - December: 1-2 months, 3-4 months, or 5-6 monthsTrack 2 - January - December: 1-3 months, 4-8 months or 9-12 months
• All options offer:

Beginning Gap Activities (Access on-demand media resources, match with a coach/mentor, and prepare and take GRE). Narrow focus, identify programs, and connect with others (Connect with faculty and mentor, attend boot camp and participate in virtual conversations with peers and facultyApply and strategize for admissions (Arefine application documents with coach/mentor)
GAP Fellows are placed on one of two tracks—either a six-month or a full-year curriculum—based on their timeline to apply to graduate school.