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Future Faculty Fellowship Program

Future Faculty Fellowship Program: Enhancing Diversity in Postsecondary Education Since 1986

The Michigan State Legislature created the Future Faculty Fellowship Program in 1986 as part of the larger King Chávez Parks Initiative, designed to stem the downward spiral of college graduation rates for students underrepresented in postsecondary education. The purpose of the FFF program is to increase the pool of academically or economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty teaching careers in postsecondary education. Preference may not be given to applicants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin.  Universities should encourage applicants who would not otherwise be adequately represented in the graduate student or faculty populations to apply.

Future Faculty Fellows are required, by signed agreement, to pursue and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree at one of the fifteen public universities in Michigan. FFF recipients are also obligated to obtain a postsecondary faculty teaching or approved administrative position at a public or private, two or four year, in-state or out-of-state postsecondary institution and remain in that position for up to three years equivalent full-time, dependent upon the amount of the Fellowship Award. Fellows that do not fulfill the obligations of their Fellowship Agreement may be placed in default, which results in the Fellowship converting to a loan, referred to as KCP Loan, that the Fellow repays to the State of Michigan.

The logo spells out "KCP" in large, bold letters, each containing a stylized black and white portrait: Martin Luther King Jr. in the "K," César Chávez in the "C," and Rosa Parks in the "P." Rays extend from each portrait, emphasizing their significance. Beneath the letters, the full names "King-Chávez-Parks" are written in uppercase.

FFF Eligibility Criteria

Applicants requesting consideration for an FFF Award must be able to provide documentation for the following eligibility criteria. See the FFF Program Eligibility Requirements for additional information.

  • The applicant is a citizen of the United States.
  • The applicant is a Michigan resident as defined by the University of Michigan.
  • The applicant has been accepted into a UM-Flint graduate degree program that facilitates a career in postsecondary education.
  • The applicant is in good academic standing as defined by UM-Flint.
  • The applicant is not currently in default on any guaranteed student loan.
  • The applicant has not previously received another FFF Award for the same degree level (master’s or doctorate).
  • The applicant is not currently a recipient of an FFF Award at another institution for a degree that has not been completed.
  • The applicant has not previously had an FFF Award converted to a KCP Loan.
  • The applicant is academically or economically disadvantaged, as defined by the KCP Initiative.

Program Guidelines

Upon the receipt of a FFF Award and signed agreement, these are the requirements of each recipient.

  • To pursue and obtain the agreed upon graduate degree at a Michigan postsecondary institution within four years of receiving an FFF Award for Master/Specialist students and eight years of receiving an FFF Award for Doctoral students and to ensure that the KCP Initiative Office is provided with written evidence of degree obtainment.
  • To maintain good academic standing as defined by UM-Flint.
  • To not accept a second FFF Award for the same degree level.
  • To begin a part- or full-time faculty teaching or an approved administrative position at an accredited public or private, two or four-year post-secondary institution, in-state or out-of-state, within one calendar year after conferral of the graduate degree.
  • The service obligation shall be determined by the total amount of the FFF Award(s) as outlined below:
    • For Master/Specialist Fellowships:
      1. Up to $11,667 of a master’s/specialist award results in a one-year equivalent full-time service commitment.
      2. $11,668 to $17,502 of a master’s/specialist award results in a one-and-a-half year equivalent full-time service commitment.
      3. $17,503 to $20,000 of a master’s/specialist award results in a two-year equivalent full-time service commitment.
    • For Doctoral Fellowships:
      1. Up to $11,667 of a doctoral award results in a one-year equivalent full-time service commitment.
      2. $11,668 to $17,502 of a doctoral award results in a one-and-a-half year equivalent full-time service commitment.
      3. $17,503 to $23,334 of a doctoral award results in a two-year equivalent full-time service commitment.
      4. $23,335 to $29,167 of a doctoral award results in a two-and-a-half year equivalent full-time service commitment.
      5. $29,168 to $35,000 of a doctoral award results in a three-year equivalent full-time service commitment.
  • To ensure that the KCP Initiative Office is provided with written evidence of service completion from the postsecondary institution or employment at the conclusion of each academic term or year.

Application Process

The 2025-26 Future Faculty Fellowship program applications are expected to be available by the end of October 2025. Stay tuned for more information in the fall.

To submit an FFF application, applicants must:

  1. Create a MILogin ID
  2. “Request Access” to the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship Program under “Search Application.”
  3. Once access is granted, the application can be found under “My Opportunities” on the right-hand side of the page.

The Introduction to the Future Faculty Fellowship video provides additional information about the KCP FFF program.

Contact Mary Deibis in the Office of Graduate Programs at [email protected] if you have additional questions.

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