Research 101: Kickstarting Your Research and Creative Endeavor Career at Harvard
The series will introduce students to the research ecosystem at Harvard and the opportunities to pursue research within it; help students better understand (and narrate) their research interests and questions; identify and cultivate relationships with faculty mentors; understand and craft key portions of most research/creative endeavor funding opportunities; prepare for summer opportunities; and more.
While the series is aimed at those starting out in their research journey, intermediate and advanced students may still find value in the materials — and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers as we move through the autumn.
The series will be flipped classroom style, with weekly asynchronous modules that students can complete at their own pace, complemented by in person conversation and discussion on Fridays from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM. The series will start on Monday, October 19 at 4:00 PM for an in-person kick-off and run through Friday, November 20 — preparing students to identify and apply for summer research opportunity deadlines that will fall in February.
2026 Research 101 Schedule
Kickoff: What is Research?
Date & Time: Monday, October 19, 2026, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Format: In-person
Activity: Student Panel, Introduce Yourself
Date & Time: Friday, October 23, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Format: In-person
You, Your Question, and Your Impact
Date & Time: Monday, October 26, 2026
Format: Asynchronous
Activity: Reflecting on Interests, Skills Discovery, Resume
Date & Time: Friday, October 30, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Format: In-person
Understanding Fields and Connecting with Faculty
Date & Time: Monday, November 2, 2026
Format: Asynchronous
Activity: Faculty Panel, Mapping Your Interests, Cold Emails, Libraries
Date & Time: Friday, November 6, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Format: In-person
Crafting an Application, and What Comes Next
Date & Time: Monday, November 9, 2026
Format: Asynchronous
Activity: Mock Reviewing, Making an Argument
Date & Time: Friday, November 13, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Format: In-person
Summer Opportunities Overview
Date & Time: Monday, November 17, 2026, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Format: In-person
Activity: Summer Application Decisions and Drafts
Date & Time: Friday, November 20, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Format: In-person