Research
Source: https://college.harvard.edu/academics/research Parent: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply
Overview
Unlock Your World
From laboratory study to archival research to investigations in the field, Harvard students engage in world-class research across all disciplines and make groundbreaking contributions to their fields.
With support from a variety of funding sources, students collaborate with renowned faculty researchers whose work has been featured in top journals and awarded prestigious grants. Whether you assist your professor or lead your own project, you'll receive guidance, support, and the benefit of their expertise.
Research Opportunities
-
Are there research opportunities for undergraduates?
Yes - available to students as early as their freshman year. You may find research projects through individual inquiries with departments and professors, through the Harvard College Research Program (HCRP), or through the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF). The Faculty Aide Program, run by the Student Employment Office, links professors to undergraduates interested in becoming research assistants. Read more about HCRP and MMUF on the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships website, and find additional opportunities on the Student Employment Office website.
Expanding Our Campus
The state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Complex expands Harvard's campus with an additional 500,000 square feet of classrooms, active learning labs, maker space, and common areas.
Learn more about the Science and Engineering Complex
Term-Time Research
During the academic year, you can conduct research for credit, as determined by the director of undergraduate study in each department.
Students can also receive funding from one of many sources. Additionally, many faculty members across academic departments hire students directly to serve as research assistants.
funding sources
-
Harvard College Research Program
The Harvard College Research Program (HCRP) provides term-time and summer grants for students conducting independent research in collaboration with a faculty mentor. - #### Faculty Aide Program
The Faculty Aide Program (FAP) provides half of a student’s total wages when working for an approved faculty member as a research assistant. - #### Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF) provides a term-time stipend, as well as the option for summer research funds, to a group of approximately 20 juniors and seniors, selected in the spring of their sophomore years.
Laboratories
More than two dozen University buildings are used exclusively for scientific research. Their interconnected labs, clusters, and offices encourage scientists to cut across boundaries and collaborate in the chemical, biological, physical, engineering, and computational sciences.
Summer Research
Harvard offers many residential research programs for students staying on campus during the summer. In addition, funding is available to support independent research locally, domestically, and internationally.
Summer Research
-
Building Learning through Inquiry in the Social Sciences
Building Learning through Inquiry in the Social Sciences (BLISS) is a 10-week program for students working with Harvard faculty on research projects in the social sciences. BLISS provides a stimulating, collegial, and diverse residential community in which students conduct substantive summer research. - #### Herchel Smith Undergraduate Science Research Program
The Herchel Smith Undergraduate Science Research Program is a competitive and generous award supporting undergraduate scientists conducting a substantive, independent summer research project in mathematics, engineering, life, physical/natural or computer sciences. - #### Program for Research in Markets and Organizations
The Program for Research in Markets and Organizations (PRIMO) is a 10-week summer program that allows students to work closely with Harvard Business School faculty on projects covering topics from business strategy to social media, and from innovation management to private equity. - #### Program for Research in Science and Engineering
The Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE) is a 10-week summer program that aims to build community and stimulate creativity among Harvard undergraduate researchers in the life, physical/natural, engineering, and applied sciences. - #### Summer Humanities and Arts Research Program
The Summer Humanities and Arts Research Program (SHARP) is a 10-week summer immersion experience in which students engage in substantive humanities- and arts-based research designed by Harvard faculty and museum and library staff. - #### Summer Undergraduate Research in Global Health Program
The Summer Undergraduate Research in Global Health Program (SURGH) is a 10-week summer program in which students research critical issues in global health under the direction of a Harvard faculty or affiliate mentor. Participants live in a diverse residential community of researchers, attend weekly multidisciplinary seminars with professionals in the global health field, and make connections beyond the traditional health sphere. - #### Summer Program for Undergraduates in Data Science
The Summer Program for Undergraduates in Data Science (SPUDS) is a 10-week summer data science research experience that encourages community, creativity, and scholarship through applications across the arts, humanities, sciences and more fields. Students interested in mathematics, statistics, and computer science collaborate on projects with a Harvard faculty host.
Voyage of Discovery
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships helps students navigate the research opportunities available here on campus, in the Cambridge area, and around the world.