Graduate Research Fellowships

The Mike Loya Graduate Research Fellows Program provides funded fellowships to full-time graduate students in the College of Engineering and the Woody L. Hunt College of Business to further research and apply knowledge in the areas of leadership, entrepreneurship, and management in the cross-disciplinary environment of engineering and business.   

The fellowship allows students to form a close-knit academic group that focuses on applied research in entrepreneurship and innovation. 

Graduate students are selected based on merit, academic excellence, leadership, and interest in learning more about the world of entrepreneurship and commerce.  

Selected students will become Loya Fellows, and will receive an $18,000 stipend per year

Each fellowship provides financial support from a semester-long up to two years of financial support – contingent upon the recipient maintaining a good academic standing with the graduate school. In addition to sustaining academic performance, recipients are expected to contribute significantly to the program by successfully completing and delivering high-quality research projects. Fellows are encouraged to actively participate in the various activities and workshops organized by the Center, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances their skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and management.   

This dual commitment ensures that the recipients excel academically and actively contribute to and benefit from the dynamic and enriching opportunities the fellowship program provides.  

For each of the years of support, the Mike Loya Center provides a $18,000 stipend to the graduate students. Stipend disbursement will occur at the beginning of the semester for Fall and Spring, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

The Center has two open cycles for receiving applications.   

Cycle I   

• Applications open on April 1st and close on April 30th of every year for new fellows to join the Center in August – Fall.   
• Graduate students are selected in June of every year.   
• Fellowship Day 1: August 1st of every year.   

 Cycle II   

• Applications open on October 1st and close on October 30th every year for new fellows to join the Center in January – Spring.   
• Graduate students are selected in December of every year.   
• Fellowship Day 1: January during the first day of classes of the current academic year.  

 Loya Fellowship Evaluation   

• May   
• December 

To qualify as fellows, applicants must fulfill the following minimum requirements:  

• Resume  
•  Letter of interest - Highlight your future professional interests and any experience you may have in working with small businesses and startups. If applicable, provide details about your familiarity with these environments. If you don't have the experience, tell us why you want to learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship.  
• Acceptance letter from the Graduate School  
• Full-time graduate student enrollment is required during Fall and Spring semesters - Submit a copy of your student's class schedule.  

• Submit your application to  loyacenter@utep.edu.

• Be full-time enrolled as a Graduate student in the College of Engineering or the Woody L. Hunt College of Business. 
• Have at least one year left in the graduate program. 
• Maintain a good academic standing (Minimum 3.0 GPA) every semester.