Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduate research is one of the most rewarding ways to deepen your academic experience at Columbia. Whether you are interested in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, arts, or interdisciplinary fields, research allows you to move beyond the classroom and actively contribute to the creation of new knowledge. Through research, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills while working closely with faculty mentors and engaging with real-world questions. Research experiences can help students clarify their academic and career interests, strengthen applications for graduate and professional schools, build valuable professional relationships, and gain hands-on experience in their field. No matter your major or level of experience, getting involved in research can be a transformative part of your undergraduate education.

Research opportunities exist for all undergraduates, so it is never too early to explore your options! Visit Columbia's Undergraduate and Fellowships website to search for opportunities.

Research Funding Opportunities for GS Students 

The funding opportunities listed below are designed to support a wide range of research activities - from summer projects and senior thesis to conference travel and independent study. Students are encouraged to review the options below and apply for funding that aligns with their academic goals. 

Bancroft Research Scholars Program

The Bancroft Research Scholars Program aims to provide GS students with the opportunity and funding to participate in undergraduate research during the regular school year. This program enhances your academic experience, fosters intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, and prepares you for graduate studies or a career in research.

The Bancroft Research Scholars Program will select a limited number of GS students who collaborate with a Columbia faculty member on a research project during the academic year (Fall and Spring only). Applicants are responsible for identifying and obtaining the support of a Columbia faculty mentor prior to submitting their application. Each selected scholar will receive $2,200 in funding for one term to support work on a research project and to cover research-related expenses, such as supplies, materials, and travel costs.

Visit the GS Funding and Research page to learn more about eligibility criteria, program requirements, and application deadlines.

GS Research Initiative for Summer Exploration (RISE) Program

The GS Research Initiative for Summer Exploration (RISE) Program offers GS students a unique opportunity to engage in undergraduate research with financial support during the summer. Designed to enrich your academic journey, this program fosters intellectual curiosity, sharpens critical thinking, and equips you for advanced studies or a career in research.

A select number of GS students will be chosen to collaborate with Columbia faculty on part-time research projects (15-20 hours per week) over a period of up to six weeks during summer. Applicants are responsible for identifying and obtaining the support of a Columbia faculty mentor prior to submitting their application. Each scholar will receive a $2,600 stipend to support their research efforts, including expenses for supplies, materials, and travel. This program provides a valuable platform to explore academic interests while gaining hands-on research experience.

Visit the GS Funding and Research page to learn more about eligibility criteria, program requirements, and application deadlines.

GS Research Stipend

The GS Office of Academic Affairs aims to provide extra support to students doing research under the mentorship of a Columbia-affiliated faculty member. To this end, we provide a one-time stipend of up to $250 to help defray the expense of academic research initiatives that students undertake with faculty guidance. 

Visit the GS Funding and Research page​ to learn more about eligibility criteria, program requirements, and application deadlines.

Senior Thesis Stipend

The GS Office of Academic Affairs offers a small stipend ($250) to defray associated expenses for GS seniors working on a senior thesis or honors project. 

Visit the GS Funding and Research page​ to learn more about eligibility criteria, program requirements, and application deadlines.

Independent Study

Independent study provides an opportunity for students to work one-on-one with a faculty member through directed reading or supervised research for academic credit. Students are advised to approach faculty members about independent study as early as possible, since many instructors limit the number of students they will supervise in a given semester or year. Some departments require that the Director of Undergraduate Studies approve the independent study. As part of the proposal and approval process, students must specify, in consultation with the faculty supervisor, the number of points to be earned for the independent study. Students must designate the number of points to be earned when registering for independent study. 

Typically, independent study is reserved for students at an advanced level within their majors. Students should consult with their respective major or departmental advisors about requirements and limits for independent study, which vary from department to department.

Students may count no more than 12 points of independent study toward the degree, and may register for no more than one independent study per term. If a student wishes to undertake an independent study program involving more points than the number permitted, he or she must have the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the GS Committee on Academic Affairs. 

Independent Research: Human Subjects

Any research that involves people is considered human subjects research in a broad sense. Students who are interested in conducting independent research that will involve participants answering questions, completing surveys, filling out forms, following instructions, and/or being observed, or that involves receiving data about identifiable individuals, may need special approval.

All universities have an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which reviews research proposals involving humans and assesses whether or not the research can be approved. The approval is dependent upon the risk of harm to the research subjects.

This risk of harm can be physical, psychological, legal, or social and it is the role of the Columbia IRB to protect those who have voluntarily donated their time (even if they are compensated) in order to take part in any research that is conducted by a member of Columbia University.

Taking seriously the well-being of research participants is part of what makes a good researcher and a good research project. 

Questions should be addressed to the faculty advisor overseeing the research or to GS Academic Affairs at gsacademicaffairs@columbia.edu.

Requesting IRB Approval

Students submitting proposed research for approval by the Institutional Review Board must:

• Complete the online Human Subjects Protection Training. 
• Identify a CU faculty member as a Principal Investigator.
• Complete the Undergraduate Study IRB Approval Request Form.
• Create a consent form. (Samples are available on the Columbia IRB website.)
• File a Conflict of Interests Disclosure Statement.
• Create a research protocol in RASCAL. 
• Attach to your RASCAL protocol your completed approval request form and any necessary supplemental documentation (for example, research instrument and consent form).

Contact

Questions should be addressed to the faculty advisor overseeing the research or to GS Academic Affairs at gsacademicaffairs@columbia.edu.