Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University

Research Scholars Program

The Institute for Quantitative Social Science offers undergraduates with strong quantitative skills an opportunity to participate in its undergraduate research scholars program. This program provides undergraduates with an opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty on their current research projects to witness and participate in the development of new tools and methods that contribute to the creation of new knowledge or solutions to domestic and global problems. Successful completion of the program includes a short group presentation. Undergraduate scholars will be paid at an hourly rate, up to $2,000 per semester.

Undergraduate scholars are offered office space at the Institute, are active members of the Institute community, and are invited to participate in numerous professional and social events. It is expected that undergraduate scholars will spend between three to five hours per week with his/her faculty sponsor and/or research group at the Institute.

Undergraduates may participate in the program more than once, and are encouraged to apply in consecutive terms to continue research programs or embark on a new project. Undergraduates who participate over the course of at least two years will be considered, in their senior year, for the appointment of Undergraduate Research Fellow at the Institute. Funds offered to Undergraduate Research Fellows may supplement other thesis funding programs.

Interested applicants may be concentrators in any of the social or quantitative sciences, and may apply by submitting the Undergraduate Research Program Application below. We will review applications throughout the calendar year. Students should indicate a specific faculty sponsor on the application. Applications will be reviewed by the Director of Undergraduate Programs and a committee of Faculty Associates at The Institute. Applications are due October 1.

Summer Research Scholars Program

The summer internship program gives undergraduates intending to remain in Cambridge for the summer the opportunity to expand their quantitative research skills. The program has two options and students may choose to pursue one or both. Interns may work on current research with an Institute Faculty Associate (this may be an extension of work started during the academic term) and be paid at an hourly rate. Also, students may request funds to cover the cost of tuition for a faculty-approved course at the Harvard Summer School in statistics, mathematics, programming, or quantitative methods in a substantive field. Applications for summer internships are due by April 1. Students may indicate a faculty sponsor on the application, but may apply without a specific sponsor in mind. Applications will be reviewed by the Director of Undergraduate Programs and a committee of Faculty Associates.