The APSA Diversity Fellowship Program (formerly known as the APSA Minority Fellowship Program or MFP) is a fellowship competition for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds applying to or in the early stages of doctoral programs in political science. The DFP was established in 1969 as the Black Graduate Student Fellowship to increase the number of African American graduate students in the discipline. In 1979, the Chicano Student Fellowship was established. Over time, the fellowship program evolved into the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), expanding to include support for all scholars from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. As of Fall 2020, the program was renamed to the APSA Diversity Fellowship Program to better mirror language that reflects, encourages, and uplifts aspiring scholars of color and to acknowledge the current and projected demographic shifts in racial and ethnic populations in the US. 

Since its inception, the APSA DFP has designated more than 600 fellows and contributed to the successful completion of doctoral political science programs for over 100 individuals.

• Each fall, the DFP awards between 12-14 funded fellowships in the amount of $5,000 over two years to students applying to doctoral programs in political science.
• Each spring, the DFP offers fellowships to graduate students in the pre-dissertation stage of their doctoral program. The Spring DFP is a one time award of $2000, depending on funding availability. 

Spring applicants must:

• Be a current first or second year graduate student, currently enrolled in a political science PhD program. Masters students are not eligible for the spring cycle of the fellowship. 
• Be members of one of the following historically under-represented racial/ethnic groups: African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Latinos/as, and Native Americans (federal /state recognized tribes); or be able to demonstrate interest in broadening participation in political science and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, or issues of tribal sovereignty and governance. Applications from scholars of MENA descent are welcome.
• Be a US citizen, US national, US permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) at the time of application.
• Demonstrate an interest in teaching and potential for research in political science.

Fall applicants must: 

• Applicants for the DFP Fall Cycle must be undergraduate seniors, recent graduates, or other individuals (including students in terminal MA programs) in the process of applying for PhD programs in political science. Awarded fellows will receive $5000, disbursed over two years. 
• Be a member of one of the following historically underrepresented racial or ethnic minority groups: African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Latinos/as, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Applications from scholars of MENA descent are welcome.
• Demonstrate an interest in teaching and potential for research in political science. 
• Be a US citizen, US national, US permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) at the time of application. 

• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• Undocumented

Apply at https://www.apsanet.org/mfp

• Online application form, which includes fields for personal statement, resume, and list of references.

• A letter of enrollment verification. (submit via online application form)

• Official transcripts (submit online, email, or mail). Provide an official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. Institutions may send transcripts directly to APSA.

• Letters of recommendation (submit online) Two letters of recommendation must be submitted via the online recommendation form.  

• Official transcripts should be uploaded to the online form. If not possible, they can be emailed to diversityprograms@apsanet.org or physically mailed to:

  APSA Minority Fellowship Program
  c/o Jasmine Scott
  American Political Science Association
  1527 New Hampshire Ave. NW
  Washington, DC 20036-1206

The Minority Fellows Program (MFP) is a fellowship competition for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds applying to or in the early stages of doctoral programs in political science. The MFP was established in 1969 (originally as the Black Graduate Student Fellowship) to increase the number of African American graduate students in the discipline. In 1979 the Chicano Student Fellowship was established. Overtime, the fellowship program has expanded to include support for racial and ethnic underrepresented scholars. Since its inception, the APSA MFP has designated more than 600 fellows and contributed to the successful completion of doctoral political science programs for over 100 individuals. 

Questions about the application process or program can be directed to the APSA Diversity & Inclusion Programs team, at diversityprograms@apsanet.org.

For further information on the APSA Minority Fellowship Program, please visit these frequently asked questions.