Harvard College Research Program (HCRP)

In order to be eligible for HCRP funding, students must meet the following criteria:

• Enrollment. Applicants must be enrolled Harvard College degree-seeking students. Second-term seniors are eligible to apply.
• Faculty Mentor. The faculty member directly supervising the research must be a member of a Harvard Faculty. Departmentally approved senior thesis advisors who are not members of a Harvard Faculty may also serve as the HCRP faculty mentor.
• Term-Time HCRP. Students must be enrolled for the duration of the funded semester.
• Summer HCRP. Students on a voluntary leave of absence during the Spring term may apply for Summer HCRP funding, provided they obtain prior approval for funding from their Resident Dean.
• Award Period. Research must take place during the award period for which HCRP funding is requested.
• Research for Academic Credit. Students conducting research for academic credit are not eligible to receive an HCRP stipend. They may request funding for eligible incidental research-related expenses associated with the project. These expenses must be detailed in the application.
• Other Compensation. Students may not receive both wages and an HCRP stipend for the same research project.

Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Students who need accommodations during the application process and/or during the research experience should contact URAF at undergradresearch[at]fas.harvard.edu.

Any medical documentation related to accommodation requests should be sent to the Disability Access Office. URAF does not review or receive medical documentation.

In addition to the experience of conducting independent research and working alongside a faculty member, HCRP benefits also include funding for your research.

• Term-Time Funding
  • Students are awarded a flat-rate stipend amount to recognize the strength of the proposed research project. Recent stipend amounts for term-time research have ranged from $900-$1000 per student.
  • Students taking research for credit (ex. 99R) may only apply to HCRP to fund research-related expenses not already covered through the course. These students will not receive the flat-rate stipend, but an amount specific to their particular project and funding needs.
• Summer Funding
  • HCRP will offer a stipend of $5500 to support 10 weeks of full-time research and will pro-rate the stipend accordingly for projects shorter in duration or time (i.e. part-time).
  • Students may also apply to HCRP for up to $500 in additional research-related expenses.
• Summer Housing and Meals Package
  • Students may opt-in to the URAF Summer Scholars Housing and Meals package as a part of the HCRP Summer application.
    • URAF Summer Scholars who opt-in will be housed in Currier with dining in Annenberg Hall.
    • Move-in begins: Monday, June 1
    • Move-out ends: Monday, August 10, 8:00 AM. We ask that students please depart campus on the weekend of August 9.
  • The cost of the food and lodging package will come out of the researcher stipend (~$3700).
    • Students who take up this housing and meals package are expected to utilize it for the full ten weeks; costs cannot be pro-rated.
    • This is a combined housing and meals package; the two cannot be separated.
  • Find more details about the housing and meals package within the HCRP application itself.

As a benefit and requirement of the award, HCRP recipients complete three written assignments (goal-setting exercise, midterm report, final report). The HCRP award and funding may be revoked if these terms are not met. 

Students may not receive both wages and an HCRP stipend for the same research project.

HCRP applications are reviewed by faculty, advisors, and URAF staff members. Applicants will be notified of term-time funding decisions within approximately three weeks of the application deadline. Preference is given to students with:

• A demonstrated background or a proven interest in the subject area (i.e. previous coursework or research experience, work experience, extracurricular activities, etc.)
• Research that meaningfully contributes to the larger field
• A connection to the faculty mentor’s area of expertise
• Autonomy in the development, direction, and preparation of the proposed research project

HCRP does not support the work of a research assistant, so research projects very closely related to the ongoing work of a faculty member must demonstrate clear independence from the faculty member’s research. The proposed project should be a fully fleshed-out, independent research project.

If you are applying to HCRP to support continued work on an HCRP-funded project from a previous cycle, requirements are the same as those for a first-time applicant. Your research proposal should include a progress report and provide a specific plan for continued study. Recycled proposals which have already been supported by HCRP funding will not be considered. The letter from your faculty mentor should provide an overall evaluation of your performance and demonstrate a need for continued support.

Priority for summer HCRP funding is given to those who have not previously received the summer HCRP award.

The HCRP application consists of several required components. All materials must be submitted through the Harvard University Funding Portal and are due by the deadline.

• Application Form. Provide basic biographical information and answer a brief set of questions about your proposed research project. This form generates the core details of your application. The application form also includes questions about human subjects research and research-related travel, where applicable.
  • Human subjects research: If your project may involve human subjects, you must have started the Undergraduate Research Training Program (URTP) process before submitting your HCRP application. You will be asked to provide an update on your URTP/IRB status in the application. Any required approvals must be in place before the relevant research begins.
  • Research-related travel: If your project involves travel, you will be asked about your plans and the status of applicable Harvard travel requirements. Review these requirements early in your planning and complete all required steps before travel.
• Research Proposal (4–5 double-spaced pages, 11- or 12-point font; 1” margins). Describe your intended project in detail. Your proposal must address the following components:
  • Objective, Significance, and Implications. Explain the purpose of your research, its importance, and what contributions or insights it may offer.
  • Detailed Research Plan. Provide a clear outline of:
    • Research design/methodology
      • Steps you will take to execute the project. This section should demonstrate feasibility and preparedness.
  • Time Frame. Outline a realistic schedule for completing your research tasks.
  • Faculty Involvement. Describe how your faculty mentor will support and supervise your project. You may also include details about additional advising or members of your support network, if relevant.
• Works Cited/Bibliography/References (1-2 pages).
• Budget Form and Narrative.
  • Fall or SPRING (research for credit): (Required only for students taking research for credit). If this section appears in your application, complete:
    • The Budget Form, listing anticipated costs and spending categories
    • A brief Budget Narrative (maximum one page) explaining and justifying these expenses
  • Summer HCRP: Optional. Students whose projects require necessary, non–cost-of-living research expenses may request up to $500 in supplemental funding by completing the Budget Form and a brief Budget Narrative (maximum one page). Most projects conducted on or near campus do not require additional funding. This section will appear by election.
• Current Resume (1 page maximum). Include significant college activities, achievements, employment, and experiences that demonstrate your academic and research interests and your potential for success conducting independent research.
• Current Unofficial Transcript. Upload an unofficial transcript downloaded from my.harvard.edu that includes your most recent completed term’s grades and current semester’s course schedule.
• Letter of Recommendation (One Required). Your recommendation must be written by the Harvard-affiliated faculty member who will directly supervise your research. Departmentally-approved senior thesis advisors who are not members of a Harvard faculty may also serve as the HCRP faculty mentor. This is due by the deadline. The letter must:
  • Confirm that the faculty member has agreed to host and support your project
  • Comment on your preparedness to conduct independent research
• The faculty member may also address:
  • The strength, originality, and merit of your proposal
  • Your initiative, motivation, independence, and determination
  • Brief examples of your academic or research engagement 

HCRP recipients must meet the following requirements:

• Additional Funding. Students who receive additional funding for the same project outside of HCRP must notify URAF as soon as possible. Students must disclose all other sources of funding, amounts received, and eligible expenses reimbursed.
• Goal-Setting and Reporting. Students must complete all required HCRP goal-setting and reporting activities by the stated deadlines.
• Final Report. Students must submit a final report at the end of their research term. The final report must be approved by the student’s faculty mentor before the reporting requirement is considered complete.
• Incomplete Reporting. If final reporting requirements remain incomplete more than one month after the deadline, funds associated with the award will be returned.