Future Academics & Mentorship Excellence (Fame) Program

Nine people in business casual attire posing indoors in front of a UC Riverside backdrop, smiling at the camera

A group of people attending an academic FAME workshop seated in a lecture room facing two screens with presentation slides.

Future Academics & Mentorship Excellence (FAME) Program

The Future Academics & Mentorship Excellence (FAME) program is designed to prepare future faculty and provide valuable mentorship that guides the future academics. Supported by the Advancing Faculty Diversity program by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), this program will provide resources for PhD candidates and Postdocs who are considering faculty positions in engineering.

Towards this goal, this project will hold a two-day Future Faculty Workshop at the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) at UCR on April 8-10, 2026. On the first day, participants will receive training on the academic job market and faculty life, including details about the search process, defining a research agenda, funding, and creating a strong application package. On the second day, each participant will gain experience through a mock interview which includes delivering a department seminar, meeting with the department chair, the Dean, and faculty members.

Interested applicants should submit their application by the application deadline indicated below. Following a selection process, the selected participants will be invited to attend the workshop and will receive the FAME Award which provides full funding to attend the workshop. The award will cover the airfare, lodging, transportation and other related costs. Selection will be based on academic excellence and fit of the future career to the project goals. The selection process will not give preferential treatment based on gender identification, race, or ethnicity, in adherence to California Proposition 209.

This year, the theme of the workshop is “Human-Centric Engineering” and we are interested in applicants working or planning to work under this theme. However, the workshop will be open to all and will welcome applications from relevant fields in engineering. Examples of areas covered by this theme include but are not limited to:

Bioengineering: neuroengineering and rehabilitation engineering
Mechanical Engineering: medical robotics and health
Chemical and Environmental Engineering: air quality, climate, and biotechnology
Computer Science: artificial intelligence for social good and responsible AI
Electrical Engineering: privacy and health informatics

Participants will all be invited to apply to relevant openings next year in BCOE. They will also be considered for additional mentorship and support programs including a formal mentorship and writing support programs which will be detailed later.

Important Dates:

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

Additional Resources:

Application Link
Faculty Resources
2025 event

Application Deadline:

Monday, February 23, 2026

APPLY TODAY

Workshop Dates:

April 8 - April 10, 2026

For additional information email fame@engr.ucr.edu.

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

You Belong at UCR

All programs, services, and events offered here are open to everyone, consistent with federal and state laws and the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Whether you’re seeking support, joining a community, or participating in campus life, every effort is made to ensure your experience is inclusive, respectful, and accessible, regardless of background or identity.

Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering