Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology Grant

The Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology offers an immersive 11-week research experience for undergraduate students, providing mentorship and hands-on learning in ecological research. Participants receive a stipend of $7,700, along with full room and board. Located in Petersham, Massachusetts, the program emphasizes collaboration, skill-building, and community engagement, welcoming students who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. This opportunity fosters a deep connection between students and the scientific community.

About the Program
The Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology is an 11-week immersive research experience connecting undergraduate students to mentors and researchers in the pursuit of scientific inquiry.
This paid internship opportunity includes a $7,700 stipend, full room and board, and travel to/from Harvard Forest.
Harvard Forest is located in the small town of Petersham, Massachusetts (1.5 hours west of Boston).
How The Program Works
Every fall, research mentors from Harvard Forest and collaborating institutions develop summer research project descriptions for students to choose from when they apply to the program.
A research project is made up of a collaborative research team with multiple students and mentors, all working together to address an overarching research question.
During the summer, our main goal is for participants to work within that larger context on their own project, building their skills and independence in the research process.
Our holistic view of the program is a 3-legged stool:
Research: Work collaboratively to solve environmental problems using scientific methods. A day in the woods measuring trees, or a day at the computer analyzing sensor data
Education: Bridge from student to scientist: build marketable skills, learn how to use and understand data. Morning workshop on R programming language, afternoon seminar by visiting researcher
Community: Join scientists at a world-class research hub to expand your network. Contribute to meal set-up, have dinner with a seminar speaker, attend a festival with fellow students.

Eligibility

Participation in the program is open only to those who are legally authorized to be employed by Harvard University in the United States. Most of our funding is only open to U.S. citizens or green card holders (exception: non-U.S. citizens who attend Harvard University are eligible for internal funds).
Qualified undergraduate students must be enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college during and after the summer program. Students on leave from their undergraduate program and students who have completed their associates degree (2-year program) and are going on to get a bachelor's degree (4-year program) are also encouraged to apply.No prior research experience is required to participate in this program.We encourage applications from students who are enthusiastic about participating in a collaborative, hands-on learning environment.See FAQ for other details.

Ineligibility

Students who will have graduated from a 4-year college before the program start date are not eligible.