The Lydia Mendoza Graduate Fellowship Program is an initiative by The CUNY Mexican Studies Institute in partnership with CFE International.  We aim to award fellowships to highly motivated students. The fellowship program is intended to help current and future community leaders to advance their educational goals. Recipients will work closely with the Institute staff and community-based organizations to advance the Mexican and/or immigrant community. Criteria for selection are academic excellence, financial need, and commitment to service in the immigrant and/or Mexican community in New York, without consideration of immigration status.

Up to $15,000 to graduate students for one academic year.

• A series of professional development workshops.
• Access to prominent CUNY alumni, faculty, and staff.
• Special invitations to exclusive events throughout the year.
• Opportunity to be a part of our Mentorship Program.

• Must be enrolled this Fall 2024 in a graduate degree program at a New York area university AND intend to enroll this upcoming Spring 2025. 
• Must be enrolled full-time both semesters. 
• Must demonstrate significant financial need.
• Open regardless of immigration status. 
• Openness to share experiences and accomplishments to inspire other students.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Mexican and/or immigrant community. 
• Preference will be given to CUNY graduate students.

Failure to comply with the following conditions may result in the suspension or revocation of fellowship award and future eligibility.

• Students are expected to maintain a full-time status.  This status is defined by their graduate degree program to fulfill the criteria of full-time. 
• Remain in good academic standing and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0;
• Must take a course in either Mexican Migration and or Spanish Language at their home campus (course may have been taken in previous semesters prior to receiving scholarship);
• Complete 200-hour internship in an affiliated nonprofit organization or partner institution.  

• A series of leadership workshops.
• Opportunity to participate in a 200-hour internship in an affiliated nonprofit
  organization.
• Special invitations to exclusive events throughout the year.
• Access to a one year long Mentorship Program
• Pay it forward by hosting one Lydia Mendoza Graduate Fellowship Promotional workshop.
• Opportunity to write a blog post about your experience, to be featured on the Institute’s website and in newsletters.
• Access to prominent CUNY alumni, faculty, and staff.
• Awardees may re-apply the next academic year. 

Submit online application;

• Upload required documents:
  - Most recent transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
  - One essay, 1000-word max (see below for details) 

- Resume (pdf format)

- Recommendation Letter (pdf format) 

• List your recommender on your application;
• Contact your recommender to submit your recommendation letter (link can be
  found below);
• Submit your completed application for review (expect an automatic confirmation email after successfully submitting your application).

We encourage you to start your online application as soon as possible. You will be able to save your application and continue later. Late applications will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

• February 9th, 2024: Application Opens!
• April 15th, 2024: 11:59PM. EST- Application Closes.
• April 21st, 2024: 11:59PM. EST - Recommendation Letter Deadline.
• Early May: Semifinalist Group Interview.
• Mid May: Awardees Notified.

https://mexicanstudies.formstack.com/forms/lmendozafellowship24

https://mexicanstudies.formstack.com/forms/recommenderlmendoza24

Provide a Personal Statement that conveys the applicants’ motivation for acquiring a graduate degree in their field and how The Lydia Mendoza Fellowship will help them achieve their goals. The applicants should also convey what economic factors are limiting them from pursuing their educational and professional aspirations. Finally, the applicants should convey how they will serve as active participants in the betterment of the conditions of the Mexican community in the United States. This essay should not exceed 1000 words.

Your recommendation letter will be submitted electronically by your recommender. A recommendation letter may be written from someone who knows you well and has served in one of these roles for you: a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, employer, community leader, or religious leader. Your reference must be at least 21 years of age and must not be related to you. Recommenders will be notified by email by the applicant. Recommendations must submit their letter online on or before April 21, 2024 11:59PM EST.

Upload the most recent version in pdf format.

Unofficial transcripts are accepted in application.

More questions?

Click here for Application Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions