Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE)

To be eligible for PRISE, applicants must:

• Be a continuing Harvard College undergraduate in good academic and disciplinary standing. No prior research experience is required, and students at all stages of their undergraduate studies are encouraged to apply.
• Be available to participate full-time for the duration of the program, including their research placement and required PRISE academic, evening, and community activities.
• Undertake a substantive research project in the natural, physical, engineering, or applied sciences under the supervision of a Harvard faculty member. Research may take place within Harvard schools, departments, research institutes, or affiliated hospitals.
• Not undertake other employment, internships, coursework, or service commitments during the program. Students may not receive both wages and a PRISE stipend for the same research work.
• Not have participated in PRISE previously. Former PRISE Fellows may apply for positions as proctors or program assistants.

What qualifies as research?

PRISE supports substantive scientific research in which students actively engage with scientific questions, methods, and investigation. The following activities do not qualify:

• Archival research
• Clinical shadowing or other clinical activities
• Routine technical or clerical laboratory assistance

Selection preference

Preference is given to applicants who have not previously participated in a Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village program.

Applicant policies

Applicants must review and abide by the URAF Principles and Policies for Applicants.

The Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE) is a summer community for Harvard undergraduates conducting research in the life sciences, physical and natural sciences, engineering, and applied sciences. The program brings students together to support one another, exchange ideas, and expand their creativity as researchers. Benefits include:

• Residential Life. PRISE Fellows live together in a Harvard House throughout their participation. A dedicated team—including program leadership, proctors, and program assistants—helps create a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Dining. Fellows receive a full meal plan and eat together in designated dining halls, providing regular opportunities to connect with peers and build community.
• Programming and Workshops. Fellows take part in a weekly Distinguished Speaker Series featuring scientists, engineers, and innovators from Harvard and beyond. Workshops cover research ethics, writing abstracts and articles, creating posters, presenting research, and exploring postgraduate opportunities. Attendance and participation in designated programming and workshops are requirements of the fellowship.
• Social and Recreational Activities. Fellows have access to Harvard’s athletic facilities—including the MAC, Hemenway Gym, and Blodgett Pool—and a calendar of social and recreational events. Activities may include outings in Boston and Cambridge, such as attending a Red Sox game, as well as events organized by Fellows themselves.
• Stipend. In addition to room and board, Fellows receive a nominal stipend as part of their award.

PRISE seeks students who will benefit from—and contribute to—a diverse residential community of undergraduate scientists. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including students new to research and those with prior experience.

A strong application demonstrates:

• Commitment to developing your scientific interests
• Relevant preparation through coursework, research, or other experiences
• A confirmed research opportunity in a lab or active research setting, or clear progress toward securing one by the lab confirmation deadline
• Interest in learning from peers across disciplines and contributing to the community
• Commitment to participating fully in PRISE’s shared intellectual and educational life alongside full-time research

Reviewers consider:

• How clearly and thoughtfully your essays explain your interests, preparation, and goals
• Your academic preparation and insights from your academic evaluator
• How you would benefit from the fellowship and contribute to its research and residential community

Prior research experience is not required.

The PRISE application has several parts, all submitted through the online application system. Complete the sections of the application in order. You will also request your evaluator form and, if needed, your lab confirmation through the same system.

Application Form:
Provide basic biographical information and answer a few questions about your research interests. If you do not have a confirmed mentor yet, list up to three possible mentors you have contacted or are considering. Be sure to complete the section entitled "Complete First Evaluator and Faculty Research Lab Host Information" first! This will inform the other application elements that are presented to you for completion.

Two Essays (500 words each, 12-point, Times New Roman font, double-space):
Submit two separate essays—one about your research interests and one about your approach to community. Please add in the header of each essay your name and indicate which essay it is, PRISE Research Essay or PRISE Community Essay.

For the Research Interests Essay, describe the scientific question or problem that interests you, what you hope to work on this summer, why it matters to you, what preparation you bring, and what you hope to learn.

• If you don’t yet have a confirmed research project, briefly describe the projects or labs you are exploring and what steps you’ve taken so far to confirm them. Why do these seem like a good fit for your ambition and skill?
• If you do have a confirmed project, describe the work you expect to do and with whom, in clear, accessible language.
• In both instances, be sure to reflect upon your specific interests and experiences, writing in your own voice, rather than simply rewording material from Wikipedia or a lab web page. This essay should convince a committee of scientists in different fields that you have thought carefully about both the science and your goals and can clearly communicate your unique set of interests. 

For the Community Essay, PRISE is both an intensive research experience and a residential intellectual community. Using specific examples from your time in your Harvard House or dorm, or from other clubs, teams, or groups, describe how you have supported others' learning or contributed to a community in the past. Then tell us how you would participate in and contribute to the PRISE community—including its shared intellectual and educational life—while pursuing your own full-time research this summer.

Resume:
Upload a one-page resume that highlights your academic experiences, coursework, skills, and activities.

Unofficial Transcript:
Upload your unofficial Harvard transcript with fall grades and your spring course registrations.

Academic Evaluation Form:
Instead of a traditional recommendation letter, PRISE uses an Academic Evaluation Form, requested through the application portal (Request section). Your evaluator should be someone in the Harvard academic or research community who knows your academic initiative. First-year students may use a high school academic or research mentor. If your evaluator is also your Harvard-affiliated faculty summer research host, they will confirm your lab placement through this form. Academic evaluation forms are due by February 1.

Faculty Research Host Confirmation Letter (if needed):
If your evaluator is not your faculty research host, you will need to request a separate research confirmation letter through the system (Request section). Your faculty research host must confirm your placement and provide basic details about the project and mentorship. All research hosts (see Eligibility) must be Harvard affiliated faculty members. Graduate students and postdocs are not members of the Harvard faculty.

• If you already have a confirmed placement, your faculty research host must submit confirmation by February 1.
• If you do not have a confirmed placement yet, submit your application with a placeholder request to URAF. Use the email address undergradresearch[at]fas.harvard.edu. Once you secure a faculty research host, replace the placeholder with a request to your actual faculty research host host, who must submit confirmation by March 1.
  • Note: If you complete your application without initiating a placeholder request, you will not be able to submit. Click "Request Section" and be sure both your evaluation and placeholder requests have been initiated.

You may submit your application before your academic evaluator or faculty research host submit their materials. All confirmations must be submitted through the online system.

PRISE is both a research fellowship and a residential intellectual community. By accepting a PRISE award, Fellows commit to participating fully in both their research and the shared life of the program.

PRISE Fellows are expected to:

• Conduct full-time research under the guidance of their faculty mentor for the full duration of the program.
• Live in the Research Village for the full program period and participate as members of the residential community.
• Attend required PRISE programming, including the weekly Distinguished Speaker Series, workshops, and other designated program events. These activities are an integral part of the fellowship, not optional enrichment.
• Complete required reflections and research-development work, including Distinguished Speaker reflections and assignments related to research communication.
• Prepare and present a research poster at the end-of-summer symposium and participate in the full poster session, both as a presenter and as an audience member for fellow researchers.

Required programming is scheduled in advance so that Fellows can plan their research accordingly. Routine laboratory or research responsibilities are not ordinarily grounds for missing scheduled PRISE programming. We understand that illness and genuine emergencies arise; when they do, Fellows are expected to communicate promptly with program staff.