Center for Black, Brown, and Queer Studies (BBQ+) Academic Fellowship

The Center for Black, Brown, and Queer Studies (BBQ+) is an independent Center dedicated to interdisciplinary research, pedagogy, and mentorship in critical race, Indigenous, postcolonial, and queer studies. Our annual fellowship, supported by the Mellon Foundation, brings together a diverse group of scholars from undergraduates to postgraduates working across these fields in a collaborative and supportive environment.

The fellowship runs approx. mid-September through the end of April, with several holiday breaks throughout the year. Exact dates are determined each summer after final acceptance decisions are made. Fellows are expected to attend the regular weekly fellowship meeting (Fridays, 12-2pm ET) where they will work on writing, reading theory, and engaging the Center’s intellectual community.

BBQ+ is a fully virtual organization, and all fellowship meetings are conducted remotely via Zoom with closed captioning.

Fellows are assigned to one of four cohorts, determined by academic level.

The weekly fellowship meetings alternate among the Writing Clinic, Theory Clinic, Colloquium, and Fellows Circle. Writing Clinics and Theory Clinics are conducted within individual cohorts, and all cohorts come together for Colloquia and Fellows Circles.

Benefits

1. Research stipend: Academic fellows are offered a research stipend, which is based on their academic level cohort:

• College students: $1000

• Master’s students/Early PhD students: $2000

• Advanced PhD students: $5000

• Recent postdoctoral scholars: $10,000

Academic fellows can also apply to reimburse other research or professionalization expenses. If you have another source of funding and can waive the research stipend, please indicate so in your application.

2. Mentorship and professionalization: Each cohort of fellows works closely with a mentor to develop their research project and prepare for a professional career. Fellows also have access to the broader network of the Center and the Senior Fellows.

3. Community: The Center aims to foster a tightly-knit and supportive intergenerational and interdisciplinary community of scholars around shared academic interests.

Eligibility

The Fellowship space is designed for underrepresented scholars, broadly and intersectionally defined. It is open to:

1. College students (including students in community colleges):

   •  Early college students (Sophomores and Juniors) interested in developing independent research skills in the humanities.

   • Seniors and recent graduates interested in developing their research and/or applying to graduate programs.

2. Master’s students and recent Master’s degree holders (3 years post-degree).

3. Ph.D., Ed.D., and other doctoral students

4. Recent postdoctoral scholars (up to 8 years post-degree)

Please note: The fellowship is open to undocumented and international applicants.

Deadline

May 18th, 2025