The Fellowship
The ASA Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) aims to develop a diverse and highly trained workforce available to assume disciplinary leadership roles and conduct research relevant to today’s society. Since its inception, the MFP has supported more than 500 predoctoral sociology graduate students. Each annual fellowship provides a $20,000 stipend (August 1-July 31). ASA works with departments to help cover the cost of tuition for the academic year. Fellows gain access to virtual programming throughout the year, designated professional development opportunities at the ASA Annual Meeting, travel support for scientific conferences, and membership in a distinguished network of sociologists.
Eligibility
Students pursuing a PhD in sociology may apply. Applicants must be enrolled in a program that grants the PhD in sociology and be advanced in their program at the time of application. Applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, or be eligible under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In addition, applicants must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Be conducting dissertation research on a sociological topic with a primary focus on race, ethnicity, intersectionality, systemic racism, Latinx politics, Indigenous politics, tribal sovereignty and governance, critical race theory, or policies affecting racial and ethnic minorities and communities.
- Identify as a member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group among sociology PhDs: Black/African American; Latino/a/x; American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; and Middle Eastern and North African/Southwest Asian and North African. Applicants from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree.
- Come from a lower socioeconomic background, defined by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- Experienced foster care (as defined by the Administration for Children and Families)
- Qualified for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
- Qualified for Federal Pell Grants
- Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a child
MFP Fellows are selected based on their commitment to research, research experience and potential, academic achievement, scholarship, writing skills, financial need, and dedication to broadening diversity in the scientific and academic workforce.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through ASA’s grants submission platform. You can create a profile on the online grant platform ahead of the application opening. For video instructions on creating an account, click here. Once your account is set up, you will see the MFP application option available between November 13 and January 30. Simply click to begin your application.
A complete application consists of:
- Completed fellowship application
- Dissertation abstract
- Two required essays
- Completed academic checklist
- Completed current and pending support report
- Curriculum Vitae
- Transcript from PhD-granting institution (unofficial is acceptable)
- Three letters of recommendation (instructions are provided)
Application Timeline
Application opens: November 13, 2024
Application deadline: January 30, 2025, at 5 pm Eastern
Decisions announced: June 30, 2025
Questions?
Please contact [email protected].
