Opportunities
The fastest way to get involved in undergraduate research is to reach out to a professor of a class in your major and ask them about opportunities. They will be best able to advise you on how to begin a research project in your discipline. Different professors have different requirements of students joining their research teams.
We have a variety of formal programs that can help support you financially as you contribute to, and maybe even develop, a scholarly project.
Summer Research
Each summer undergraduate students can apply to work with faculty to produce novel scholarship in their disciplines. Start dates are flexible, and students and faculty not on campus over the summer may work remotely at the faculty mentor’s discretion. Student participants present their summer work at the annual Summer Research Symposium, where students present oral talks describing their work individually or in groups.
Information for faculty
Faculty, you may submit a proposal for a stipend for yourself and funding for one full-time equivalent student for up to ten weeks during the summer. Many faculty elect to split those funds among multiple part-time students. Funding for these experiences comes almost entirely from donors whose generous gifts have constraints around funding, which means that different disciplines have different work requirements for participation. Funded faculty in Math, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are expected to devote 400 hours (equivalent to 40 hours per week over 10 weeks) to summer research. Funded faculty in other departments are expected to devote 250 hours to summer research. Submit your proposals.
Information for students
Students, if you are interested in this opportunity there are two ways to find an opening. First, if you have a project idea or know a faculty member you would like to work with, contact them early Spring semester and ask if you can work with them to write a proposal to support you during the summer. Second, keep an eye out for advertising from faculty April-May who have received summer support and are hiring students. Students are paid minimum wage.
Academic Year Research
We have two programs to financially support students contributing to scholarly work during the academic year.
The Downing Research Scholarship
This is available to undergraduate students in the Williams College of Business. View more information.
The Sister Thea Bowman Fellowship
This is available to undergraduate students in any major who are eligible for Federal Work Study funding. If you are not sure of your eligibility we can help you check. View more information.
The Winter-Cohen Family Brueggeman Fellows Program
This is available to all undergraduates, and provides a stipend of up to $5,000 to combine a year of intensive independent study with an immersive international experience. View more information.