Harvard offers many sources of funding for thesis writers.This page lists several opportunities, but is not comprehensive. Please visit The Harvard College Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URAF) website to learn more about funding for those undertaking research projects. Here you'll find information about CARAT, the Central Application for Research and Travel, as well as the Harvard College Research Program and other funding sources.
Harvard College Research Program (HCRP) Funding
Many past thesis writers have received funding through the Harvard College Research Program (HCRP), included in the list of URAF Administered Programs. Funded by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and alumni/ae donations, HCRP is intended for Harvard College undergraduates conducting student-initiated, independent scholarly research or creative endeavors in close collaboration with a Harvard faculty mentor. The grants underline the Harvard Faculty's commitment to individual work, and they help create an environment where students will gain experience, personal encouragement, and insight into academic life and research. Applications for HCRP are processed through CARAT. Full information and deadlines can be found here.
Harvard Funding - Travel and Specific Topics
- The Center For African Studies offers summer travel grants to assist Harvard juniors with senior honors thesis research on Africa. Grants are also available for research done over January term. Contact the Center for African Studies for more information and to discuss eligibility requirements.
- The Harvard University Asia Center provides grant support to undergraduates who travel for research projects in Asia. Funding is avaialble for both summer and January term research. Contact the Asia Center for more information and to discuss eligibility requirements.
- The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) at Harvard has research grants to fund rising seniors conducting summer and fall-term thesis research on any aspect of contemporary American politics. There are also smaller seed grants that can be particularly helpful for juniors at the beginning stages of their research. Grants are available for both qualitative and quantitative research projects. You may find it helpful to read about the work of recent undergraduate grant winners. CAPS also maintains a library of senior theses written by previous CAPS grantees; contact CAPS for more information.
- The Center for European Studies (CES) offers summer research travel grants for senior thesis writers to explore topics on political, historical, economic, social, cultural, and intellectual trends in modern or contemporary Europe. CES also offers a series of workshops to help juniors prepare to research and write a thesis.
- The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies offers grants to support undergraduate research during the summer in China or Taiwan. It also provides some funding for Chinese language study and for activities during January term; contact the Fairbank Center for more information.
- The Korea Institute gives awards to Harvard undergraduates in the humanities or social sciences to use in Korea for research and/or field work relating to a senior honors thesis in an area of Korean studies. Typically, the amount of the award is limited to the cost of travel in the research project. Undergraduate applicants must have at least two years of Korean language training or equivalent proficiency in the language. More information is available on the Korea Institute's webpage.
- The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) awards a number of travel grants annually to Morocco, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries. Summer travel and research grants are available for juniors to aid in work on theses pertaining to the country to which they wish to travel. Contact CMES for more information.
- The Carol K. Pforzheimer Student Fellowships, administered by the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, supports a wide range of undergraduate research proposals utilizing the special resources of the Schlesinger Library and the Radcliffe College Archives. These fellowships are particularly suitable for students interested in gender issues and the history of women in America. Visit the Schlesinger Library's website for more information on applying for these fellowships.
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The Henry Rosovsky Undergraduate Summer Research Travel Grants, administered by the Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, funds students in the humanities and social sciences for research and/or field work in Japan that relates directly to a senior honors thesis in an area of Japanese studies. Applicants must usually have completed at least two years of Japanese language study. Visit the Reischauer Institute's website for more information on applying for these travel grants.
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The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) offers summer research travel grants to students conducting research related to Latin America and the Caribbean. Visit the DRCLAS website for more information and instructions on applying.
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The Goldman Undergraduate Research Travel Grants, administered by the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, support undergraduates writing senior theses on a topic in Russian or Eurasian studies. Visit the Davis Center website for more information.
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The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs administers multiple grants for undergraduate thesis research on issues related to international relations and global governance. Visit the WCFIA website for a complete list of grants and application information.
Sociology Grant
Sociology has a limited budget available for senior thesis writers. Funds may be used for travel or for research-related expenses such as photocopying or purchasing equipment. Funds may also be used for expenses related to transcription, mailings, and printing. The maximum value of the grant is $200, with most grants being made for $100 or less. Please note that receipts will be needed for reimbursement.
To apply, please complete this form and attach expense receipts.
Applications open on September 1st of each academic year. Funding decisions will be made within two weeks of receiving an application. Funds will be awarded on a rolling basis until the year’s funding runs out.