URF Summer Research Fellowships

Location:
Multiple Locations,
United States
Term: Summer

Provides fundingĀ for CC and GS students to pursue independent research in a variety of disciplines over the summer.

Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URF) oversees the awarding of several summer research fellowships for CC and GS students. These fellowships include the Class of 1939 Summer Research Fellowship, the Lubar Family Research Fellowship, the International Affairs Research Fellowship, and the Yatrakis Summer Research Fellowship.

The intent of this funding is to give students the opportunity to pursue their intellectual goals, gain valuable research experience, and cultivate stronger relationships with academic experts in their field. Conducting research under the supervision of a Columbia faculty member is prioritized, but applications for research at other institutions is also eligible for students proposing independent research projects. If you are interested in applying to contribute to a faculty-sponsored research project, you'll find details below.

Individual awards usually range from $500 to $6,000, depending on the budget required for each project. Awards cannot be used for the completion of formal coursework or structured internships. Fellows will be required to present their research in poster format at the annual undergraduate research symposium in the Fall, and may be asked to speak at information sessions for interested prospective applicants.

Please note, this opportunity funds full-time research (meaning a minimum of 30 hours/week), and is therefore not compatible with coursework. Please also note that the start of your research must coincide with the start of Summer Session A.

Eligibility is limited to current Columbia College and General Studies students. General Studies students are eligible for faculty sponsored projects only. Graduating seniors are not eligible. Eligible students may submit one application only.

TO APPLY

Students interested in applying need to complete the online application (click "Start an Application" at the top of the page).

Timeframe of research: All projects must start at the beginning of Summer Session A. Students applying for funding for full-time, independent research projects (see below), can propose projects that last anywhere from 5-10 weeks in duration. Students applying for funding for faculty sponsored research projects (also see below) must be able to commit to full-time research for the 6 weeks that coincide with Summer Session A.

Please note, there are two research pathways that this funding opportunity will support:

Independent Research Projects: This funding pathway will support a limited number of students who propose independent research projects. To propose an independent research project, you will need to develop a research project and you will need to have identified a faculty supervisor who has agreed to support this research project. A letter of support from the faculty member who has agreed to supervise your research project should be emailed directly to ugrad-urf@columbia.edu by the deadline provided.

Please note the following guidelines regarding summer research proposals:

  • All research projects must start at the beginning of Summer Session A. The applicant for an independent research project can determine the end date of the project, although URF does not typically fund independent research projects that extend beyond 10 weeks in length. A research stipend will be calculated based on living costs for the period of the proposed research project.
  • Application Materials: A letter of support from the faculty member who has agreed to supervise your research project. This letter should indicate that you and your supervisor have agreed upon a research project together. The letter may comment on your suitability for the experience. It is not intended to be a confidential letter of recommendation. The applicant must also include a research project proposal and the timeframe of your research and other details as requested in the application.
  • Students who receive funding are expected to commit to full-time research for the period of their funding. Full-time research is defined as 30+ hours/week; you are not allowed to take courses during this time, nor are you permitted to hold other full-time obligations. A research stipend will be calculated based on living costs for the period of the proposed research project.

*Please note, GS students are not eligible to apply for independent research projects.

Faculty Sponsored Research Projects: This funding pathway will support a limited number of students who apply to participate in research projects led by faculty members. Descriptions of faculty sponsored research projects can be found here. This list is regularly updated, so please check back in if you are curious to see additional offerings. If you are interested in applying to a faculty sponsored project, please note the following guidelines carefully, as your application will be deemed ineligible if you do not adhere to these rules:

  • All faculty-sponsored research projects require a six week, full-time commitment (30+ hours per week) that coincides with Summer Session A. Taking courses during Summer Session A is not permitted, nor is it permitted to hold other full-time commitments.
  • Please do not contact faculty members directly about their research projects; your application will be shared with the relevant faculty member, and URF will reach out to you regarding the status of your application.
  • You will be asked in the application to indicate which project is of interest to you and why. In the "Proposal" section, please draft a cover letter that explains your interest in the project being proposed, and any past experiences you have that you can draw upon as a potential contributor to this project. Feel free to draw upon the project descriptions provided; no additional details can be provided at present.
  • To submit an application for a faculty sponsored research project, you should have a Columbia faculty member write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. This letter should be emailed directly to ugrad-urf@columbia.edu by the deadline provided.
  • A research stipend will be calculated based on living costs for the period of the proposed research project.

Fact Sheet

Discipline:
Arts and Architecture, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM
Eligibility:
Columbia College, Columbia General Studies
Fellowship Type:
Experiential, Summer Opportunity
Location:
Multiple Locations,
United States
Region:
Multiple Locations; Multiple Regions
Term:
Summer

Dates & Deadlines

Summer
2024
Application Deadline: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024