DPF – UCI DREAM Center

Important Announcements:

✨DREAM Project Fellowship (DPF) Applications for 2025-2026 are NOW CLOSED✨

What is the DREAM Project Fellowship?

The DREAM Project Fellowship is a year-long fellowship that offers hands-on experience, professional development training, community support, and networking opportunities to undergraduate students regardless of immigration status.

Diverse project sites are led by faculty and staff from UCI departments who are dedicated to fostering meaningful mentorship opportunities.

Fellows are matched with a project site to gain experience in their field of interest and develop their professional skills.

*We strongly encourage undocumented students without a work authorization permit to apply for this fellowship*

Application Process:

For STUDENTS:

Application Process for Students

Matching Process for Students

Matching Process:

Students will hear from us during the summer before the academic year beings. If you haven't heard from us by then, please be in touch.

At that time, we will give all applicants an update on their application and invite applicants to join us for interviews.

Project Sites will extend an invitation to students and you must participate in the interviews. You will be interviewing with project mentors/sites. Remember that you are also interviewing Project Mentors/Sites, and thus we encourage you to ask questions as well.

The matching process is intended to match fellow and project mentor’s best fit for each other. Interviews will happen through out the summer.

Student Applicants will have access to a Live Private Spreadsheet of Project Sites
- Applicants may select up to 5 project sites
Project sites will invite applicants to interview with them
- 2 weeks to conduct interviews
- Applicants must participate in interview process

Fellowship Offers Sent: July 2025

Fellows Will Accept/Respectfully Reject Offer: Deadline TBD

Final Fellowship Matches Announcement: Announcement TBD

For MENTORS:

Application Process in Spring

Matching Process in Summer

Matching Process:

Review applicants and select top applicants
- Project mentors will review student applications and select applicants to interview
Invite students for an interview
- Project Mentors will invite students to participate in interviews
  - Students will rank their project sites.
    - NOTE: We cannot guarantee that you will be placed with your top choice, but this ranking can help you to receive an interview with your top project sites
  - Interviews will be conducted by the Project Mentors
- Interviews Cycle: DATES TBD
  - Interviews are happening during this time
  - Students must participate in the interview process to continue being considered for the fellowship

Final candidate (s) names are sent to the DREAM Center
- Fellowship Invitations Sent to Fellows
  - The Dream Center will email/call students who are offered a spot in the DPF program, mentors will be cc'd in the email
- Fellow Will Accept/Respectfully Reject Fellowship Offer
  - Students must respond within 3 business days after receiving their fellowship offer
Final Fellowship Matches Announcement

Onboarding Process in Fall

Mentor Requirements

F.A.Q.

F.A.Q. for Students F.A.Q. for Mentors

F.A.Q. for Students

How do I apply as a fellow?
- Submit application form by due date and send updated resume to our DPF Team
Will the fellowship affect my financial aid?
- The DPF award is a scholarship that is considered financial assistance used toward the cost of attendance.
- The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships typically reduces an offered need-based loan or a work study offer to accommodate a scholarship in a student's budget
How will I receive the funding?
- DPF Funding will be sent out through Financial Aid. Please check your financial aid portal
How do I qualify for the program?
- Open to DACA students, students without work authorization, and students from mixed-status families
- UCI enrolled undergraduate students (incoming undergraduate students are welcome to apply)
- Must have filed FAFSA or CA Dream Application for 2025-26
- Must meet the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship eligibility to receive financial aid or scholarships from UCI
- Preferences will be given to students who are actively involved with the DREAM Center
Am I required to attend all the workshops and seminars with the DREAM Center?
- All fellows are required to attend year round workshop and seminars
When will I get notified of my match?
- You will be notified of your match after our interview process has ended in the summer.
When will I see the funding appear in my financial aid portal?
- Your funding should appear in your financial aid portal within the first two weeks of each quarter.

F.A.Q. for Mentors

How do I apply as a mentor?
- We encourage the project mentor (who will supervise the fellow) to
  complete the application form (i.e. general scope of project)
- Submit one application form per fellowship
  - Note any required trainings & background checks (i.e. lab or vulnerable populations)
What are the roles and responsibilities of a project mentor?
- Required to attend an Educator Training held by the DREAM Center
- Required to meet on a weekly basis with their fellow(s) and provide support
- Invited to join quarterly Saturday Academies
Can a project site have two mentors?
- Yes, a project site can have more than one mentor
Can a project site have multiple fellows?
- Yes, a project site can have multiple fellows
Can I use federal funding for the fellowship?
- No, only non-federal funds can be used
Will the student receive all the funds from my department/unit?
- Yes, if you have indicated your department/unit can fully fund your student
- Funding expectations can change every year. Please contact the DREAM Center for the latest information.
- Funds will be transferred to Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships and distributed to fellows in the form of scholarship
Am I required to complete the Educator Training and other events with the DREAM Center?
- Yes, project mentors are required to attend an Educator Training held by the DREAM Center

A Glance At Our Past Curriculum

Fall Curriculum: Critical Race Theory and Self-Authorship

Critical Race Theory Presentation by Dr. Jose Aguilar-Hernandez

Dr. Jose Aguilar-Hernandez from Cal Poly Pomona presented to our fellows on Critical Race Theory.

Dr. Aguilar-Hernández is the proud son of immigrant farmworkers from Zacatecas, México. He grew up in Ventura County and transferred from Moorpark Community College to UCLA where he earned a B.A. in Chicana/o Studies and History. Dr. Aguilar-Hernández earned an M.A. in Latin American Studies and a Ph.D. in Education from UCLA. His dissertation, Si Se Pudo!: A Critical Race History of the Movements for Chicana and Chicano Studies at UCLA, 1990-1993, is about the inception (and more) of the Chicana/o Studies Departmentalization process at UCLA. During his five years as a doctoral student, Aguilar-Hernández served as a Teaching Fellow and Lecturer in the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, and additionally, he also taught courses in Chicana/o Studies at California State University, Northridge and CalState LA.

Strength Analysis by the Center for Student Leadership

Scholarships Presentation from Our DPF Fellow

Scholars In Residence Workshop

Community Building Beyond UCI

UndocuProfessionals Workshop Series: From Surviving to Thriving in Education, Life, and Career

Our fellows had the opportunity to attend a 6 workshop series hosted by UndocuProfessionals, a community-based network supporting students who are transitioning into professional roles.

Fellows were able to meet Undocumented Professionals who shared their insight, knowledge, skills, and experiences as they navigated their educational and professional journey undocumented.

Winter Curriculum: Self-Advocacy and Networking

Guest Speakers

Mock Advocacy Meetings Role Playing

Interviewing Preparation Workshop

Mock-Interviews