Research

One of the unique opportunities for undergraduates at Harvard is to conduct independent research in collaboration with world-renowned Harvard faculty. Compared to peer institutions, Harvard offers undergraduates more funding and more opportunity to research with, or seek guidance from, a wide range of faculty. There are many extraordinary research opportunities available for undergraduate students at Harvard, both for participating in the ongoing research of our faculty and for pursuing their own academic interest with a faculty sponsor.

Students received over one million dollars for their research projects during the 2008 - 2009 academic year. The four primary programs are:

• The Faculty Aide Program (FAP) provides half of a student's total wages when working for an approved faculty member as a research assistant.
• The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF) provides a term-time stipend and the option to receive funds to support summer research to a group of approximately 20 juniors and seniors who are selected in the spring of their sophomore years.
• Harvard College Research Program (HCRP) provides research grants for current Harvard students to conduct an independent research project that is advised or mentored by a Harvard affiliated faculty mentor.
• Dean's Summer Research Awards (DSR) provides a $1,000 term-bill credit to rising seniors on financial aid who have received an HCRP, or other research award, to conduct senior thesis research. This aid helps reduce the summer savings for these students to enable them to conduct research in place of working in a paying job all summer.

The MMUF and HCRP are designed for students focused on their own independent research while the FAP provides a great opportunity for younger students new to the idea of research to gain some skills while working in close connection with faculty members.

To learn more about undergraduate research at Harvard, visit the Student Employment Office web site.