Research Programs Overview

As part of a continuing effort to bring professors and undergraduates together in scholarly pursuits outside of the classroom, FAS supports several research programs administered by the Student Employment Office. Reports from students and faculty over the years all confirm the value of shared research experiences, and we know that encouragement from a faculty member is very often the first step in involving students in research. If you haven't already participated in our programs, we hope you will take the time to learn more about them.

The Faculty Aide Program provides half the wages up to $1800 of undergraduates serving as research assistants to members of FAS. You may fill out the application directly on our web site.

The Harvard College Research Program (HCRP) supports students who design and undertake their own research with guidance from a faculty member. It encourages students to seek out faculty mentors with similar academic interests and provides stipends and funding for research expenses. The faculty mentor's role is described on the last page of the HCRP application. HCRP applications are also due Wednesday, October 4, Wednesday, February 7, and Friday, April 6.

Dean's Awards for Summer Research provide an extra award to rising seniors on financial aid who are pursuing thesis field work over the summer. To be eligible, students must receive a summer research grant from the HCRP, a Center, or some other funding source.

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the FAS, is dedicated to reducing racial disparities on college and university faculties nationwide. Between 5 and 10 sophomores are selected each spring to participate in a program focused on research and other activities designed to encourage the pursuit of the PhD in the humanities and core sciences. We ask your help in identifying promising sophomores for this program who would be good candidates for academic careers.

To read more about what some of our students have done with their research funding, visit Research Spotlight,  which features the lead stories in past issues of the Undergraduate Research Programs Newsletter.

For more information please contact:
Meg Brooks Swift or
Lauren Valente
Student Employment Office
86 Brattle Street
Phone: (617) 495-2585