Columbia University Undergraduate Research Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide

Columbia University offers a wide array of research opportunities for undergraduate students across various disciplines. These programs provide invaluable hands-on experience, mentorship from leading faculty, and the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research. This guide offers a detailed overview of some of the most prominent undergraduate research programs at Columbia.

Amgen Scholars Program

Through the generous support of the Amgen Foundation, Columbia University offers a summer research program to a select group of motivated undergraduate students who will benefit from the opportunity of hands-on laboratory research. This fellowship aims to teach the next generation of scientists the tricks of the trade to performing cutting-edge research. This involves key elements of the research itself, including hands-on experience in premier labs, weekly meetings within the laboratories, informal discussion with accomplished scientists at all levels of training and exposure to diverse areas of research through attendance at the ASP Symposium, research lectures and peer oral presentations. In addition, numerous activities, such as peer research introductions, journal club and elevator pitches foster development of the tools to explain the research undertaken to individuals outside the laboratory, culminating in an oral presentation to peers and an original research article based on the students’ work.

Columbia University and Amazon Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program

This 10-week program is a unique industry-academic collaboration designed to foster career exploration at the frontiers of engineering research. It provides undergraduates with invaluable research experience at the intersection of academia and industry.

Summer Research Program (SRP) for Undergraduates at the Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics

The Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics at Columbia University is an interdisciplinary institute located on the Morningside Heights Campus, and focuses on cancer research.

Science Research Fellows Program

This 10-week program in New York City provides students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research on campus at Columbia University, mentored by STEM faculty and professionals representing multiple career paths from academia and industry. At the end of the program, fellows participate in a research symposium and present their work.

Read also: Undergraduate Research at CU

What You'll Do:

Gain hands-on lab experience
Work on cutting-edge research
Expand your professional network
Learn from industry professionals
Explore NYC!

What's Included:

Housing
Dining
Basic health services
$600 weekly stipend
Travel reimbursement

Academic Disciplines:

Biomedical Engineering
Chemical & Nuclear Engineering
Chemistry
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Computer & Electrical Engineering
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Physics
Sensor Science & Engineering

Barnard College Research Opportunities

Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University, also offers several research opportunities for its undergraduate students.

Summer Research Institute (SRI)

SRI is designed for Barnard students who want to conduct scientific research during the summer, working either with on- and off-campus faculty or with researchers at partner institutions throughout the city. This program emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to pursue their inquisitive nature and speak up and ask questions.

Additional Awards and Programs

The Beckman Scholar Award: This award is granted to one or more students in select science majors each year.
The Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Program: This program provides students with computational research opportunities in the physical sciences, pure and applied mathematics, and computer science.
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program: This program supports demographic transformation in higher education and promotes the value of multivocality in the humanities and related disciplines. Its name honors Dr. Benjamin E.
The Barbara Silver Horowitz ’55 Scholars of Distinction Program: This program was established to help educate extraordinary young women bound for achievement.

Other Research Opportunities

Nevis Labs Experimental High-Energy Physics REU: A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site at Nevis Labs, supported by the National Science Foundation.
Paid Rosetta Commons Research Experience for Undergraduates: Interns participate in research using the Rosetta Commons software.
Research Program for Undergraduates in Materials Research: This program encompasses two research thrusts around the theme of building higher dimensional materials from lower dimensional structures.
Summer Opportunities: Intern Programs for Undergraduates: Focuses on research in the Earth, Ocean, Atmospheric, and Environmental Sciences.

Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute

Fellows will identify a primary mentor and build a complete mentorship team, which will work together to develop a focus of research interest, with the plan to eventually transition to an independent investigative career in addiction sciences. Fellows prepare a review of existing literature, and design and conduct an independent pilot project. Fellows will present original research at meetings and develop grant proposals for submission. The New York State Psychiatric Institute is one of the largest recipients of NIH and NIDA funded research projects. The Division also has resources to establish collaborative relationships across the entire university community, and has close existing relationships with Departments of Biostatistics, Neuroscience, Epidemiology, Psychology, and Social Work.

Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Research Opportunities

Columbia University also offers research opportunities for post-baccalaureate and graduate students. These programs often serve as a bridge to Ph.D. programs and provide advanced research experience.

Funded Post-Baccalaureate Research/Academic Opportunity (Bridge to the Ph.D. Program)

The Bridge to the Ph.D. Program in STEM aims to enhance the participation of students from underrepresented groups in STEM Ph.D. programs.

Read also: Columbia University Legacy

New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP)

Evolutionary primatology is a discipline that draws its theory, methods, and empirical data from many areas within the biological sciences, anthropology, and other fields.

Postdoctoral Research Opportunities

For those who have already obtained a doctoral degree, Columbia University offers numerous postdoctoral research opportunities across various departments and institutes.

DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Postdoctoral Research Program: Offers recent doctoral degree recipients the opportunity to conduct research in fusion energy sciences.
Earth Institute Postdoctoral Research Program in Sustainable Development: Seeks applications from innovative candidates with a Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or Sc.D.
Postdoctoral Positions at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory: Fellowships in the fields of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Climate Science: The Columbia Climate School seeks applications from innovative doctoral candidates or recent Ph.D. graduates.
Zuckerman STEM Leadership Post Doctoral Program: Attracts high-achieving postdoctoral scholars from premier universities in the United States and Canada.

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