Funding

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 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 researchContact 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 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. 

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.