Grants-In-Aid of Undergraduate Research

 

The Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ), the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH), and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University (AA) are pleased to award small grants in support of faculty-supervised research by Harvard College undergraduates. Projects in any subject area are eligible for support, although priority may be given to projects that utilize MCZ, HUH, or AA research collections, laboratories and other facilities, and to related fieldwork. Funds from the HUH are primarily available to support projects in the field of plant biology and funds from the AA are primarily targeted for research utilizing the living collections. Projects that facilitate senior honors theses or associated preliminary studies are particularly encouraged. Priority is given to first-time applicants.

Awards range from $500 to $2500 and may provide support for the academic year (fall and spring semesters) or summer. Applicants for spring and summer grants are strongly encouraged to simultaneously apply for research support from the Harvard College Research Program (HCRP).

Eligibility

Harvard College undergraduates only.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically through CARAT (Centralized Application for Research and Travel). You can begin your work, save it, and return to it at a later time. Applications are due by 5 pm on the due date. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted. To apply, please submit the following via CARAT:

  • GUR Application Form
  • Research proposal (approx. 750 words) with citations. Proposals should describe the project's goals, the specific plan to accomplish those goals, and identify a Harvard faculty member who has agreed to supervise the project and explain his/her role in the project
  • Resume
  • Transcript (unofficial accepted)

All documents must be uploaded to CARAT as PDFs. When ready to submit your application, upload the documents to your CARAT registration (covering basic demographic information, project information and budget forms) to complete your application.

Reference letters must be written by your faculty sponsor. Faculty sponsors should review and sign complete applications before the proposal is submitted. Letters of recommendation from faculty sponsors may be submitted through CARAT OR emailed to grants@oeb.harvard.edu separately. If submitted separately, the letter must be emailed as a PDF.

Deadlines 

Proposals are reviewed three times a year; Fall, Spring, and Summer. Please visit the MCZ website for due dates.

Please be sure you upload your application to the relevant GUR cycle in CARAT. Applications uploaded to other cycles will not be considered. Decisions typically will be announced within one month of each deadline.

Questions

Please direct all inquiries to Melissa Aja via email or 617.495.2460.