Zancada Graduate Fellows Program

The Zancada — Spanish word for stride — program creates a cohort of future leaders in science, technology, humanities, and the arts who are well-prepared and committed to finding interdisciplinary, actionable, and meaningful solutions to global problems.

A cohort of ~10 Zancada Fellows will be selected who best meet the eligibility requirements and selection criteria outlined below. The cohort of selected students will begin their fellowship in August and conclude in June of the following year. Although activities will be organized primarily around the academic year (AY, 2 semesters), there will be additional opportunities during the summer for both new and immediate past students.

Further questions on the program or the application procedure may be addressed to Assistant Vice President for Research Melissa Emery Thompson, memery@unm.edu.

Financial Support: Each Fellow will receive $2500/year in scholarship funds, paid out across two semesters. Second semester funding is contingent on participation in program activities during the first semester.

Engagement and Leadership Activities: Each Fellow will participate in collaborative engagement activities via co-curricular programming, biweekly professional development programs, and ad hoc activities. Students are required to engage in ~75% of available programs.

Meet prominent figures in UNM’s leadership, community leaders, and legislators to learn about the research enterprise.
Explore diverse research-related career pathways and market their strengths.
Develop skills in communication, networking, and collaboration.
Transition effectively from graduate researcher to early career investigator.
Invest in broader impacts of research, including community engagement and ethics.
Engage in rewarding service activities across campus and community.

Current graduate students from all UNM colleges/campuses are invited to apply, representing diverse fields of study.
Applicants must be enrolled full-time and have completed at least one academic year at UNM prior to the fellowship period.
Candidates must be in good academic standing and secure advisor/Department Chair approval prior to applying.

Strong engagement with research/professional activities beyond degree requirements.
Clearly articulated professional goals involving research or related fields.
Compelling case for how the program contributes to professional development.
High potential for success in current degree and transition to research-related field.
Capacity to function in a cohort environment, demonstrating communication/leadership skills.
Contribution to cohort diversity in personal/academic background and skills.
Preference for candidates without previous formal graduate-level professional development training.

Nomination packages may be submitted by the student or an advisor/mentor via InfoReady Review and must include:

Student’s Statement of Intent - summarize graduate experience, goals, and future aspirations. Optionally address evaluation criteria via creative media. Written materials ≤3 pages / recorded ≤5 minutes.
Curriculum vitae (CV) - research/professional experience, broader engagement. (CV resources: https://grad.unm.edu/resources/student-resources/professional.html)
One letter of support - describing student strengths, potential, and evaluation per criteria. Can be from advisor, mentor, or other qualified individual. Submitted via InfoReady or emailed to memery@unm.edu.
Statement of eligibility - from department chair/graduate program director confirming good standing (optional if letter of support already obtained from current advisor).

Applications are currently closed