MMUF Application

A statement of purpose (up to 500 words or 2 double-spaced pages) articulating how your life experiences and academic goals would contribute to furthering the goal of broadening the range of scholarly perspectives in the academy.

A research proposal (up to 500 words or 2 double-spaced pages, not including work plan) clearly addressing all of the following:

• what is the topic of the project, and why does it interest you;
• what academic fields or disciplines this project fits into and how it will contribute to those fields;
• what research questions underlie or animate your project;
• what methods do you plan to use and why are these methods appropriate for your research questions;
• what preparation or skills do you currently have to undertake the project, and what skills would you like to grow for the project; and
• who would be your faculty mentor, and how does their expertise align with your research.

A detailed work plan (up to 500 words or 2 double-spaced pages) that details:

• how your research will be divided over two summers and two academic years; and
• what you may need (supplies, books, travel, etc.) to complete that research successfully.

Access a Work Plan Template here

**Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship applicants may also be considered for the Oberlin Summer Research Institute Fellowship (OSRI). See the MMUF application for more detailed information on applying for both fellowships. First years interested in applying for the Mellon Mays in their second year are well-advised to apply to Oberlin Summer Research Institute in preparation.**

Unofficial Transcript

Include your current unofficial transcript from Banner Self Service (accessible through OberView), saved as a PDF. 

Proposed Mentor Statement

A letter from your proposed MMUF faculty mentor clearly addressing all of the following:

• the field(s) and/or discipline(s) in which the proposed research project is located;
• the soundness and significance of the proposed research project to the field(s) and/or discipline(s);
• why the faculty mentor is interested in working with this student;
• the faculty mentor’s travel or leave plans for the entire period summer 2027 to spring 2029;
• the faculty mentor’s commitment to meeting with their student once per week for continued mentorship over the two-year program (summers 2027 and 2028; academic years 2027-28 and 2028-29); and
• the faculty mentor’s plans for ensuring that the student receives uninterrupted in-person mentorship, should the mentor be away from campus or on leave during any portion of that time.

Faculty/Staff Recommendations

Two letters of recommendation. Recommenders should be members of the Oberlin College or Conservatory faculty or staff who know you and your academic work well enough to comment on your potential for independent research, active participation in collaborative learning communities, and an academic career.

If the proposed faculty mentor of your research project fits that description, the mentor should be one of your recommenders.

Peer Recommendation (Optional)

One letter of recommendation from a peer, not necessarily at Oberlin, who can comment on your intellectual curiosity and how you work both alone and in groups.

To learn more about the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, please join us for an Information Session on Wednesday, November 18 at noon. RSVP here.

Any questions about the Fellowship or the application may be directed to Daly Arnett (harnett@oberlin.edu).