Future Academics & Mentorship Excellence (Fame) Program

About FAME 2026

The Future Academics & Mentorship Excellence (FAME) program is designed to prepare future faculty and provide mentorship that supports the next generation of academic leaders. Supported by the Advancing Faculty Diversity program from the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), FAME provides resources for PhD candidates and postdoctoral scholars who are considering faculty positions in engineering.

To support this goal, the program will host a three-day Future Faculty Workshop at the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) at UC Riverside on April 8–10, 2026.

On Day 1 (April 8) and Day 3 (April 10), participants will take part in a mock faculty interview experience, which includes delivering a department seminar (approximately one hour), and meeting with a department chair, the Dean, and faculty members.

On Day 2 (April 9), participants will receive training on the academic job market and faculty life, including:

The faculty search process
Defining a research agenda
Funding strategies
Developing a strong application package

Event Details

Application Deadline: Monday, February 23, 2026

Notification date: March 9th, 2026

Workshop Dates: April 8 - April 10, 2026
For additional information, email us at fame@engr.ucr.edu.

APPLY TODAY

2026 Theme: Human-Centric Engineering

This year’s workshop theme is “Human-Centric Engineering.” We encourage applications from individuals working in, or intending to work in, areas aligned with this theme. The program remains open to all relevant engineering fields.

Example areas include (but are not limited to):

Bioengineering: Neuroengineering, rehabilitation engineering
Mechanical Engineering: Medical robotics, health systems
Chemical & Environmental Engineering: Air quality, climate, biotechnology
Computer Science: Artificial intelligence for social good, responsible AI
Electrical Engineering: Privacy, health informatics

Participants will be invited to apply for relevant faculty openings at BCOE. They will also be considered for additional mentorship and support opportunities, including formal mentorship and writing support programs, with further details to be provided.

Important Dates:

Interested applicants should submit their application by the deadline listed below. Following a competitive selection process, selected participants will be invited to attend the workshop and will receive the FAME Award, which provides full funding to attend. This includes airfare, lodging, transportation, and related expenses.

Selection is based on academic excellence and alignment with the program’s goals. In accordance with California Proposition 209, the selection process does not provide preferential consideration based on gender, race, or ethnicity. Previous applicants are encouraged to reapply; however, past FAME award recipients are not eligible.

Application deadline: February 23rd, 2026
Notification date: March 9th, 2026
Workshop date: April 8-10, 2026

One of the aspects of running a lab that I was never trained on is managing budgets and cash flow for a research group with competing demands. The administrative staff in BCOE and the CSE department have been extremely professional in providing transparent and clear insights into spending and projected budgets for different funding sources. Their guidance helps junior faculty understand the business side of running a research group and navigating the specific financial bureaucracy of our department and college.

Mingxuan Wang

Assistant Professor

Joining BCOE has been one of the best decisions of my career. The college hosts workshops that provide valuable guidance on building a successful career. Senior faculty members lead by example and offer tremendous support in proposal writing, student advising, teaching, and service.

Zhaowei Tan

Assistant Professor

As a junior faculty in BCOE and ECE, I’m grateful for the strong mentorship culture. Senior faculty are very approachable and genuinely invested in guiding early-career professors. Structured programs, informal networking, and a collaborative atmosphere create a supportive environment, which greatly helps me navigate research, teaching, and career development with confidence.

Jiachen Li

Starting my lab in BCOE’s Bioengineering Department has been a welcoming and supportive experience. Mentorship from senior faculty has been invaluable in student recruitment, grant writing, and research development. The Dean’s Office and administrative team have also provided strong support through orientation and other faculty events. I’m grateful to be part of such a collaborative and collegial environment

Tingting Xiang