How to Find a Fellowship or Research Opportunity
Start by considering your goals for applying. Are you considering a summer research opportunity or a year long (or longer) research opportunity in the U.S. or abroad? Are you hoping to conduct research that will be a part of your senior thesis or are you hoping to earn a post-graduate degree? Do you want to conduct field research, or will your research require an archive or library? Are you hoping to work with scholars and experts within the Columbia community or outside of it?
To delve into these questions, plan to attend an info session, talk with fellowship and undergraduate research advisers, or search our database to explore the possibilities. Another database that you may find useful is the Undergraduate Research Opportunities resource. You can also take a look at Columbia Engineering's Student Research Program which lists current research opportunities and other resources. You can also check out the opportunities that are posted by departments and by many of the institutes and centers at Columbia. Additionally, if you are considering an opportunity that has a language requirement, be sure to visit the Language Resource Center to see the languages that are available at Columbia.
Finding the URF database a little daunting? Take a look at one of URF's Quick Guides to jump start your opportunity search!
- Quick Guide to Summer Research Opportunities at Columbia and Beyond
- Quick Guide to Globally Focused Fellowships
- Quick Guide to Fellowships for Pre-Med students
- Quick Guide to Postgraduate Experiential Fellowships
- Quick Guide to Postgraduate Degree-Seeking Fellowships
Summer Research Opportunities with Columbia UNIVERSITY Faculty
Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URF) offers various funding awards to support students interested in engaging in full-time research over the summer. While students may develop their own independent research projects, URF welcomes the opportunity to connect students with faculty members who are interested in having an undergraduate researcher contribute to a specific research project of their own. Additional information and current open projects are available here.
COLUMBIA ENGINEERING STUDENT RESEARCH PROGRAM
Columbia Engineering (SEAS) will post available research opportunities with their faculty. Research positions are listed for both undergraduate and graduate MS students, and can be paid or unpaid. Positions will be posted on the Columbia Engineering Student Research Program website.
Columbia Global Centers Virtual Internships
Columbia Global Centers around the world have identified virtual internships throughout their partner networks for Spring 2021. Learn more about available opportunities here.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
As an international student, the process for finding funding can take time and effort. You can search the database by eligibility requirements, and you should also speak with your faculty mentor about possible research opportunities. You might also try checking for funding opportunities through your home country’s consulate and embassy in the U.S. Please plan to talk with an adviser for more guidance.
RECENT ALUMNI
While a number of scholars programs are limited to current students in the College, there are many research opportunities for alumni as well. You should first consider what you wish to do in your research, and what kind of project you are interested in developing. Are you looking to continue the research that you began during as a student? Has your current job sparked an interest in exploring new disciplines or parts of the world? Advisers are here to talk about your options with you and provide support as you explore possible options for pursuing your research interests.
UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS RESOURCE
Immigrants Rising, a non-profit organization focused on supporting undocumented students, has released Scholarship and Fellowship Lists which contains over 400 undergraduate and 300 graduate/post-graduate scholarships and fellowships, including 495 for non-DACA students. You can learn more about these opportunities here: immigrantsrising.org/2021scholarships
If you have any questions regarding the opportunities on the list, wish to discuss the application process, or have someone review your application, please make an appointment or drop in during virtual walk-in advising hours to speak with a URF advisor, or for quick questions you can email us at ugrad-urf@columbia.edu.