Summer Program for Undergraduates in Data Science (SPUDS)

Any continuing Harvard undergraduate of any concentration in good standing is eligible to apply. Applicants must plan to conduct research with Harvard-affiliated faculty over the summer in the Cambridge-Boston-Longwood area. Faculty hosts can be appointed in the Faculty of Arts and Science, Harvard’s other graduate and professional schools, Harvard’s affiliated hospitals and research institute, or elsewhere.

SPUDS encourages interdisciplinary research and welcomes projects that engage the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural and physical sciences, and more. Proposed projects do not need to be located within a specific academic discipline. Projects may be grounded in computer science, mathematics, and statistics—but applications stretch far beyond these fields!

Students must commit to the full span of the program.

SPUDS offers a variety of benefits to ensure a successful summer research experience and to enable fellows to form a close-knit community, including:

• A living stipend of $3,000 for the program, paid over two installments
• Free lodging in designated Harvard housing
• A full dining plan

Since the primary purpose of the Program is to build and foster a strong and diverse community of scholars in data science, a successful application will demonstrate the following:

• A strong dedication to developing or furthering academic interest and excellence in data science research;
• A documented and verified opportunity to participate in a data science research experience that fulfills a compelling and specific academic goal over the summer (confirmation may be submitted after the deadline);
• The ability and desire to participate actively and enthusiastically in a diverse residential community of scholars;
• An academic record demonstrating success in coursework that develops theoretical knowledge and/or practical application of data science

Evaluation of the applicant will be based on how well and how effectively the components of the application define and address these qualities and requirements

Please note that if you are interested in applying for both PRISE and SPUDS with the same project and mentor, the best way to do this is to apply for PRISE. In that application, indicate that you would like your application considered for SPUDS as well. Your application will automatically be forwarded for consideration for SPUDS and you will not need to submit a separate SPUDS application.

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The SPUDS 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 faculty research host 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 Host Information" first! This will inform the other application elements that are presented to you for completion.

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.

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 be sure to put your name, as well as the essay name (Research Interests or Community Interests) within the page header.

For the Research Interests Essay, describe the question or problem in data science 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 host, briefly describe the projects or labs you are exploring and what steps you’ve taken so far.
• If you do have a confirmed project, describe the work you expect to do and with whom, in clear, accessible language.

For the Community Essay, describe how you have supported others’ learning or contributed to community in the past, and explain how you plan to help build a supportive, collaborative environment in SPUDS.

Academic Evaluation Form:
Instead of a traditional recommendation letter, SPUDS uses an Academic Evaluation Form, requested through the application portal. 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 summer faculty research host, they will confirm your lab placement through this form. Academic evaluation forms are due by February 1.

Data Science Faculty Research Host Confirmation Letter (if needed):
If your evaluator is not your faculty research host, you will need to request a separate faculty research host 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 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 evaluator or research host submit their materials. All confirmations must be submitted through the online system.