Cornell University: Unveiling Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Cornell University offers a wealth of undergraduate research opportunities across various disciplines, fostering intellectual curiosity and hands-on learning. From cross-institutional initiatives to specialized summer programs, students have diverse avenues to engage in research, develop critical skills, and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries.
Cross-Institutional Initiatives: A University-Wide Network
Cornell stands out as a vibrant hub for undergraduate research, boasting numerous colleges, schools, and departments that actively support student involvement. Beyond these traditional structures, institutes and centers bridge college boundaries, creating interdisciplinary spaces ripe with research possibilities. These cross-institutional initiatives provide students with access to a broader range of expertise, resources, and perspectives, enriching their research experiences.
Summer Research Programs: Immersive Learning and Skill Development
Summer provides an ideal setting for undergraduates to immerse themselves in research or acquire new research skills and systems. Cornell and other institutions offer a multitude of summer research programs, both in the US and abroad. These programs provide structured research experiences, often accompanied by workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities. Students can also pursue individual research collaborations with faculty members, gaining personalized mentorship and contributing to ongoing projects. Weill Medical School in New York is an excellent place to look for a summer research opportunity. They host a number of summer programs for students interested in bio-medical research, and individual faculty host students in their labs.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Astronomy and Planetary Science
One prominent example is the REU program focused on planetary science, solar system exploration, astrobiology, exoplanets, and related fields. Students accepted into this program work closely with Cornell faculty and research staff on individual research projects, delving into topics ranging from radio astronomy to astronomical instrumentation. The program complements research activities with group lectures, roundtables, workshops, and field trips, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Participants receive a generous stipend, along with funding for housing, meals, and travel to and from Ithaca. Furthermore, the program supports travel to professional meetings or other research-related activities, enabling students to present their findings and expand their professional networks. The tentative program dates are Wednesday, May 27, 2026, to Wednesday, August 5, 2026. In case of conflict with a student’s academic schedules, dates may be adjusted if approved by the student’s mentor after an offer is made. To be eligible, undergraduate students must be US citizens or permanent residents.
Funding Opportunities: Supporting Undergraduate Research Endeavors
Cornell provides various funding mechanisms to support undergraduate research projects. However, for Research Funding in the College of Arts & Sciences, you must already be working with a faculty member. You can also apply for research support through the College or the university, which both have several programs created to encourage and fund undergraduate research.
Read also: Immersive Pre-College Experience
Einhorn Grant and Undergraduate Research Fund
The College of Arts & Sciences offers the Einhorn Grant and the Undergraduate Research Fund to support student research endeavors. These funds provide financial assistance for projects pertaining to credit, such as independent studies, honors projects, or course-related credit-bearing projects, under the supervision of a Cornell faculty member.
To apply for these grants, students must submit an online application, including a project description, budget proposal, signed agreement for financial help, and a letter of support from their supervising professor. Students applying for both grants for the same project must submit separate applications and budgets, but can use the same letter of support and project description. It is recommended to schedule an appointment with Catherine Ramírez Foss in advance of submitting the application. Funding is provided for the academic year, with fall applications due by October 31 and spring applications due by March 31.
Eligible costs include travel (transportation, hotel, restaurant meals, etc.) and supplies (binding for a thesis, photocopies, lab supplies, software, participant fees in experiments or survey research, etc). Any equipment (lab supplies, books, software, digital recorders or cameras, etc.) is considered Cornell property and must be surrendered to the relevant department or to KG17 Klarman Hall after the research is completed. Any participant fees or lab expenses for approved projects will be paid directly to the relevant department. Ineligible costs include day-to-day living expenses (rent, groceries, etc.). Students will not receive payment in advance. Students will be asked to provide a photo of themselves or their research and a paragraph or two describing their work, which will be shared with the Einhorn family.
Project Descriptions and Budgets: A Detailed Outline
Project descriptions should clearly outline the research objectives, background, research methods, and a detailed budget. Budgets must list all costs to be covered and provide justification for each item.
Nexus Scholars Program: Collaborative Summer Research in Arts & Sciences
The Nexus Scholars Program in the College of Arts & Sciences offers undergraduate students summer opportunities to collaborate with faculty from across the college (humanities, social sciences, and STEM) on their research projects. Recipients may conduct research in any discipline in the College of Arts & Sciences and will be awarded up to $7,000 for their participation during the course of the summer program on the Cornell campus in Ithaca. Nexus Scholars are selected based on their interest in research, their ability to work collaboratively, and their potential to contribute to the field.
Read also: Cornell University Semester Guide
Tanner Dean's Scholars: Recognizing Academic Excellence and Research Potential
Tanner Dean's Scholars are a distinguished group of students selected during the undergraduate admissions process. They demonstrate an enthusiasm for the life of the mind and possess outstanding high school records. Tanner Dean’s Scholars admitted prior to Fall 2025 with financial eligibility received a one-time award of up to $5,000 to replace financial aid loans or grants in their first year of study. Tanner Dean’s Scholars admitted in and after Fall 2025 will receive a financial aid award of up to $10,000 annually throughout their Cornell A&S undergraduate career, as long as they meet financial eligibility. In addition, all Tanner Dean’s Scholars are offered research funding of up to $1,500 to be used at any time during their enrollment in the College of Arts and Sciences. Applications must be submitted to Cat Ramirez Foss, Deputy Director of Advising, in the Advising and Admissions Office in Klarman Hall, KG 17. Schedule an appointment with her in advance of submitting your application.
College Scholar Program: Interdisciplinary Exploration
The College Scholar Program represents the pinnacle of the liberal arts experience at Cornell. The program is focused on a small group of stellar students whose interests transcend disciplinary boundaries. Students design their own interdisciplinary major, organized around a question or issue of interest, and pursue a course of study that cannot be found in an established major.
Milstein Program in Technology and Humanity
The Milstein Program in Technology and Humanity provides students with the opportunity for experimentation, collaboration and connection at the intersection of technology and the humanities.
African Experience Travel Award
To help promote student participation in many of the international educational experiences provided by Cornell, and increase accessibility to programs not currently covered by Cornell financial aid, the College of Arts and Sciences has established the African Experience Travel Award.
Getting Involved: A Step-by-Step Approach
The path to undergraduate research at Cornell begins with identifying your interests and passions. Whether your focus lies in people, text, art, numbers, organizations, or the natural world, exploring your interests is the first step. Your advising dean can provide valuable guidance in narrowing your focus and identifying potential research areas.
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Do you want to get involved in research? The opportunities are limitless: from Cuban rhythms to nanoscience, voting patterns to poetry and everything between and beyond. Step one begins with you. What are your interests? Do you have a passion for people, text, art, numbers, organizations or the natural world? Your advising dean can help at the beginning by talking with you about your interests and helping you narrow your focus.
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