Agents of Change (AoC) Fellows Program

Program Overview

We are excited to announce the 2026/2027 SF BUILD Agents of Change Fellowship Program! This newly developed 12-month program offers SFSU students monthly stipends, research placement with a community-engaged biomedical researcher, mentorship and career support for biomedical research in community health.

Apply Now

Program Goals

  • Partner SF State students with select SFSU or UCSF Faculty who are working on community engaged biomedical research OR leading projects that promote community health
  • Provide professional development for students interested in biomedical science, community engagement, health equity, and social justice work
  • Connect students to a wider network of professionals and students working to advance social justice in biomedical science and community health 

Benefits

  • Gain experience in Community Engaged Research or Projects
  • Strengthen your preparation for graduate or professional
    programs (ie. Master's, PhD, MD/PhD, & MPH)
  • Receive financial support for academic and professional development activities
  • Build relationships through networking, peer mentoring, and community building
  • Work closely with an SFSU or UCSF faculty mentor

Requirements

  • Attend a 1-hour, in-person orientation in September. The date will be determined after the fellows are selected
  • Create an Individualized Development Plan (IDP) with your faculty mentor
  • Participate in one AoC workshop a semester
  • Actively participate in SF BUILD events and volunteer activities
  • Complete 4 reflections through Canvas
  • Complete a culminating report back project (ie. final reflections, social media post)
  • Commit approximately 10-20 hours/week on their assigned project (time commitment is dependent on each faculty project)

Eligibility

In accordance with Federal and State Law our program does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, health or disability.

  • Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or master’s student at SFSU, or have graduated from SFSU no earlier than August 2026
  • Intend to pursue graduate or professional school within 1-2 years
  • Demonstrate an interest in biomedical research relevant to community health
  • Committed to social justice through the use of science
  • Not receive funding from another student training program for research during any period of the 12-month appointment, unless participation in both programs is approved
  • Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident

Important Notes

  1. If you are currently participating in other student researchfunded programs, please contact your program director to
    ensure you are within program guidelines if you are selected as
    an AoC Fellow.
  2. Additionally, you may need to contact the Financial Aid office
    to ensure that receiving this award will not exceed your cost of
    attendance if you have other awards for the academic year.
  3. This award may be taxed.  

For questions, please contact SF BUILD Program Director, Dr. Audrey Parangan-Smith (audreygp@sfsu.edu).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is community engaged biomedical research?

Community engaged biomedical research is anything that involves community health through the use of biomedical disciplines. This is not limited to wet lab work. Work should directly connect and serve community health in whatever discipline the work or project is being done.

What do we mean by radical?

Radical community engaged research allows for community members and leaders to be equal partners in research projects. It goes beyond only including community in advisory roles.  

How do we define transformative?

We define transformative work as anything that is motivated by social justice while holding a critique of social oppression. Transformative community engaged research aims to make a positive change on the health outcomes of marginalized communities.

What we mean by commitment to career trajectory in community health engaged biomedical research?

The prospective fellow intends to pursue an advance degree to enhance their training in community engaged biomedical research, or intends to join the biomedical workforce with a focus on community health research projects. 

What professional development opportunities in community engaged biomedical research will be provided?

AoC Fellows will have access to workshops focused on strategies to improve resilience and persistence in the biomedical sciences, which historically have excluded marginalized groups. AoC Fellows will also have access to the larger SF BUILD network and mentoring community. 

Examples of fields we welcome to apply

  • Areas of study with a focus on human health 
  • Behavioral Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Clinical Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, Psychology, Public Health, Science Education, Social Sciences, etc.