The Sparkman Fellows Program is a mentorship opportunity for highly motivated and engaged students seeking to enhance their understanding of global issues in a stimulating learning environment. Each fellow is matched with a current Sparkman Scholar for a year of 1:1 mentorship.

Eligibility

Undergraduates at UAB with junior and senior standing. All UAB graduate and professional students can apply as well. Students do not have to be studying a specific area or be in a specific degree program to apply.

Length of Fellowship

The length of the program lasts for one academic year. If you are graduating in the Fall semester, you can still apply. However, we will prioritize students who can participate in the full year of the program.

Expectations and Requirements

• Attend an orientation session (May or June), a kick-off meeting (August), and a wrap-up meeting (late April or early May) with the Sparkman Center team.
• Engage with the rest of your cohort through monthly Fellows meetings and through the online Sparkman Fellows course.
• Communicate with your mentor in a timely manner to schedule meetings and follow-up on any projects or tasks.
• Meet with your mentor at least once per month across the Fall and Spring semesters. (8 meetings minimum over the academic year.)
• Balance your global health interests, goals, and expectations. Foster flexibility and openness to ideas during your mentor collaboration project.

How to Apply

The application usually opens in late March or early April. We will post on our social media and in the newsletter once the dates are determined, so please follow along there for the timeliest updates.