Funding and Research
Engaging in research is a powerful way for GS students to deepen their academic interests, work closely with faculty mentors, and contribute to scholarly conversations beyond the classroom. The funding opportunities listed on this page are designed to support a wide range of research activities—from summer projects and senior theses to conference travel and independent study. Students are encouraged to review the options below and apply for funding that aligns with their academic goals.
Funding
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). 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.
Eligibility:
- The Bancroft Research Scholars Program is open to currently matriculated General Studies students, including Postbac Premed students.
- Students can receive funding for one term only (Fall or Spring).
- All research projects must be supervised by full-time Columbia faculty members. Projects without a Columbia faculty mentor are not eligible for funding. Projects with faculty outside of Columbia are not eligible for funding.
- Priority will be given to applicants who are starting their research journey and are not receiving academic credit or other funding for their proposed research project.
- First and second-year international dual BA students are not eligible to apply for the program.
Selected Scholars Will be Required to:
- Devote a minimum of 8-10 hours per week for 10 weeks to the designated research project (for a total of 80-100 hours per term). Scholars are required to collaborate with their supervising faculty to establish a suitable schedule.
- Present their research findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium and GS End-of-Year Research Showcase.
Scholars will also be expected to serve as GS research peer advisors and research ambassadors.
Application Deadline:
It is important to note that the Bancroft Research Scholars Program has limited funds available. Typically about five students are awarded funding every term. It is highly recommended to submit your application at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure consideration for the program.
- For research to be conducted in the fall term, please submit your application by August 1.
- For research to be conducted in the spring term, please submit your application by November 15.
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. 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.
Eligibility:
- The GS Summer Research Scholars Program is open to currently matriculated General Studies students, including Postbac Premed students.
- Students can receive funding for one summer only.
- All research projects must be supervised by full-time Columbia faculty members. Projects without a Columbia faculty mentor are not eligible for funding. Projects with faculty outside of Columbia are not eligible for funding.
- Priority will be given to applicants who are starting their research journey and are not receiving academic credit or other funding for their proposed research project.
Selected Scholars Will be Required to:
- Devote 15-20 hours per week for 6 weeks to the designated research project (for a total of 90-120 hours in summer). Scholars are required to collaborate with their supervising faculty to establish a suitable schedule.
- Present their research findings at the Annual Columbia Undergraduate Research Symposium (Fall Semester) and GS Research Festival (Spring Semester).
- Share their research experience by writing a contribution for the GS Research Blog.
Scholars will also be expected to serve as GS research peer advisors and research ambassadors.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
The School of General Studies offers a small stipend ($250) to defray associated expenses for GS seniors working on a senior thesis or honors project. You may access the application for the “Senior Thesis Stipend” via the 'Forms' tab in the Columbia GS Student Success Portal.
Applications will open during the first week of the fall and spring semesters. Please see below for further deadline information.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall-term or academic-year theses: November 1st
- Spring-term-only theses: March 1st
*Deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or University holiday will be moved to the next business day.
Please note: Students must be enrolled during the semester in which they apply. Each student may receive this stipend only once during their matriculation at GS. All applications will be reviewed and processed after the application deadline.
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. Students may apply for the stipend when they wish to:
- Do independent research under the supervision of a Columbia-affiliated faculty member
- Attend academic conferences related to their faculty-mentored research
- Cover the fees for publishing their writing in academic journals
- Visit museums, archives, and other cultural institutions in the context of faculty-supervised research
The Research Stipend may not be used for the following:
- Books or supplies for coursework
- Travel to other conferences not related to faculty-mentored research
- Activities, including travel, in the context of participation in student groups
- Other enrichment activities not supervised by, or undertaken in collaboration with, a faculty member.
Applications will open during the first week of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. You may access the application for the “GS Research Stipend” via the 'Forms' tab in the Columbia GS Student Success Portal. Please see below for further deadline information.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall-term projects/opportunities: November 1st
- Spring-term projects/opportunities: March 1st
- Summer-term projects/opportunities: July 1st
*Deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or University holiday will be moved to the next business day.
Please upload all required supporting documents with your online application (e.g., conference registration confirmations, transportation receipts, museum tickets).
Please note: Students must be enrolled during the semester in which they apply. Each student may receive this stipend only once during their matriculation at GS. All applications will be reviewed and processed after the application deadline.
Research
Any research that involves people can be 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 job 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.
Requesting IRB Approval
Students submitting proposed research for approval by the Institutional Review Board must:
- Complete the online Human Subjects Protection Training. [Instructions]
- 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. [Instructions]
- 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 specific research and/or [email protected].