Butterfly Project Fellowship Eligibility

• Be an enrolled undergraduate, graduate or professional student at UCR
  • Undergraduates must be a 2nd year and over
  • Must be enrolled at UCR every quarter that they are part of the Fellowship
• Be a California DREAM Act Applicant (CADAA)
• Be an AB 540 Eligible student
• Fellow cannot be a College Corps Fellow or enrolled in a secondary program that provides a scholarship through the Financial Aid Office
• Must be in and maintain Good Academic Standing

Butterfly Project Fellowship Track Requirements

The Butterfly Project Fellowship offers two tracks. 

The first track is for undergraduate students who will participate in their experiential learning opportunity site by participating in a hands-on internship or participate in academic research projects and take part in a an academic internship course UGRD 198G.  Students can receive up to $7,200 per year or $2,400/quarter.

The second track is for graduate students who will participate in academic research projects alongside a Faculty Mentor during the academic year and enroll in an eligible independent or directed research studies course. Students can receive up to $9,000 per year or $3,000/quarter.

**Note: Students are eligible to receive up to the full amount of the scholarship if they have room in their financial aid packages.   

Track 1: 

• Commit 12 hours weekly to their internship site or research project
• Attend Welcome Orientation in person in October
• Submit Quarterly Program Assessments
• Enroll in the required 4-unit course associated with Butterfly Project Fellowship
  • Class is pass/No Pass
• Visit USP or attend USP events 3 times per quarter
• Participate in end of year symposium
• Meet 1:1 with USP Staff each quarter

Note: Undergraduate students who participate in Butterfly Project for 2026-2027, will need to enroll in a 4 unit course every quarter for 26-27. Attendance is required. Course enrollment information will be provided once applicants are successfully accepted into the program.

Track 2: 

• Commit 15 hours weekly to their academic research project
• Attend Welcome Orientation in person in October
• Submit Quarterly Program Assessments
• Enroll in an eligible 298I, 290, 291 or a directed or independent studies graduate course
  • Class is pass/No Pass
• Visit USP or attend USP events 2 times per quarter
• Participate in end of year symposium
• Meet 1:1 with USP Staff each quarter

Butterfly Project Fellowship Application

Application components:

• 1 page cover letter answering provided prompts
  • USP discourages the use of AI for creating personal statements of any sort due to issues of security and confidentiality
• Submit a resume/CV
• Provide Mentor Information (If applicable)
• Deadline is August 16th at 11:45pm

Butterfly Project Fellowship FAQs

• Timeline

  The application will be open Monday, July 13th through Sunday, August 16th at 11:45pm. 

  
• Fellowship Award Questions
  • How or will the fellowship affect my financial aid?
    • Fellowship awards are considered financial aid and count toward your cost of attendance. Depending on your specific financial aid award for 26-27, certain forms of aid may be adjusted to accommodate this fellowship award or the amount of the fellowship can be reduced to fit within the allowable limits.
    • For other questions related specifically to details of your award package please reach out to us so we can refer you to the Financial Aid Office. 
  • When will I receive my fellowship award?
    • Fellowship awards are issued as part of your financial aid package and will be reflected in your financial aid portal. Disbursements generally take place within the first five weeks of each quarter, though the exact timing may vary due to factors outside of USP's control.
  • What may cause me to lose my fellowship award?

    • You are entitled to quarterly disbursements of the fellowship as long as you remain in good programmatic standing.

    • If you fail to complete program requirements within your first quarter, you may lose your fellowship award. Continued disregard of program requirements can lead to loss of the fellowship award and removal from the program. If you are removed from the program once, you will be ineligible to return in a future academic year.
• Site Placement Questions
  • How long is the fellowship?
    • The Butterfly Project Fellowship is for the entire academic year 2026-2027 (Sept. 24th- June 4th).
  • Can I go return to my previous site?
    • It depends. If you have already discussed with your mentor at that site that you would like to return and they are willing to continue the mentorship we can have you return to that site and will confirm with your site mentor via information your provide in your application. 
  • Can I participate if I already have a faculty mentor or research placement?
    • Yes. If you have already established a relationship with a faculty mentor you can provide that information via the application so that we can reach out to the faculty and confirm their participation in the program and ensure they meet all program mentor requirements.
       

Become A Butterfly Project Staff or Faculty Mentor

You can apply here to serve as Mentor for the 2026-2027 Academic Year! 

Please note the application is for Staff and Faculty only.

Apply Here

• Mentor FAQs
  • How long is the fellowship?
    • The Butterfly Project Fellowship is for the entire academic year 2026-2027 (Sept. 24th- June 4th).
  • Can I mentor the same student?
    • It depends. If you have already discussed with your Fellow that you would like them to return and they are willing to continue their placement at your site then please have them submit this information in their application as well as in your own Mentor application form.
  • How are students awarded?

    • Our department is responsible for the full amount of the fellowship award. Departments are not asked to provide a financial contribution at this point.

    • Students may receive up to $7,200 (undergraduate) or $9,000 (graduate). Depending on each student's financial aid award package, they may or may not be eligible for the full amount. This is disclosed to the student prior to admitting them into the program, as it requires their consent that they may receive less funding due to financial aid factors.