Welcome to the Wheelhouse Summer Scholars page. The Summer Scholars program is a funding and presentation opportunity for doctoral candidates (PhD and EdD) conducting equity-focused research on the California Community Colleges. For  2026 and 2027, the program is also open to doctoral candidates affiliated with Principal Investigators (PIs) in the Accelerating Recovery for Community Colleges (ARCC) network who conduct community college-related research.

The Wheelhouse Summer Scholars Fellowship Award offers a $2,500 award to recognize and support the work of emerging scholars whose qualitative and/or quantitative research focuses on California Community Colleges and furthers equitable opportunities and outcomes for the students they serve. The fellowship includes an opportunity to receive tailored mentoring, present research in progress, and receive supportive feedback from peers and senior scholars. The application deadline for the 2026 fellowship will close on May 8, 2026.

Wheelhouse Summer Scholars Application

Timeline:

The application deadline will close on May 8, 2026. We will notify all applicants for the Summer Scholars 2026 program of their application decision by May 29, 2026.

Who’s eligible:

PhD or EdD candidates whose qualitative and/or quantitative research focuses on California Community Colleges and/or students enrolled at California Community Colleges (CCCs), or doctoral candidates affiliated with a Principal Investigator (PI) in the ARCC network who is conducting community college-related research.

Benefits for Awardees:

For all awardees from outside the University of California:

• Receive a $2,500 award to support your research project.

For awardees from the University of California (UC) Davis:

• Receive a $2,500 award to support your research project OR receive reimbursements for conference attendance and associated expenses including travel, conference fees, and lodging, up to $2,500. The conference must occur within one year of receiving the fellowship, but does not need to take place during the summer.

For awardees from University of California campuses other than UC Davis: 

• Receive reimbursements for conference attendance and associated expenses including travel, conference fees, and lodging, up to $2,500. The conference must occur within one year of receiving the fellowship, but does not need to take place during the summer.

For all awardees:

• Receive a one-on-one mentoring session with a Wheelhouse Research Fellow.

• Receive supportive feedback from peers and senior researchers in the Wheelhouse network.

Expectations of Awardees:

Make progress on CCC-related research between July and September award year.

Present research-in-progress to fellow Wheelhouse Summer Scholars and other Wheelhouse research affiliates at an informal online symposium at the end of summer (date TBD).

Application:

Access the application here.

If you have any questions about the application, please reach out to Mayra Nuñez Martinez (manunez@ucdavis.edu) or Jacob Jackson (jsjackson@ucdavis.edu).