Du Bois Scholars Program

1. What is the Du Bois Scholars Program?
The program’s 9-week research internship at the Harvard College Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV) for rising junior and senior college students from select R1, R2, and research-focused HBCUs includes:

• Dedicated, hands-on mentorship from Harvard faculty; doctoral students may also be involved as junior mentors and research colleagues
• Access to rigorous, often cutting-edge research opportunities
• Workshops and lectures on skill-building and professional growth development
• Networking opportunities with leading academics and students from around the world

2. Who is the program named after and why?
The program is named after William Edward Burghardt Du Bois – a sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and Harvard PhD graduate – as the program embodies his commitment to academic scholarship.

3. What are the benefits of participating?
As a fellow, participants will have the opportunity to gain an appreciation for research in fields that are typically not available for undergraduates. The program allows fellows to delve into topical and critical aspects of becoming researchers through seminars and activities.

Additionally, the residential community provides an opportunity for fellows to cultivate an interdisciplinary network of peers with whom they can communicate and collaborate outside the research environment, establishing a foundation for a life-long network of academic colleagues and friendships.

4. Is the Du Bois Scholars Program in-person, virtual, or hybrid?
The Summer 2026 cohort is an in-person experience, held on the Harvard University campus. All participants must live in the designated Harvard College housing.

5. What are the program dates?
The program runs from June to early August. The Summer 2026 Du Bois Scholars Program dates are June 3-August 9, 2026. Please note, those accepted into the joint Center for Astrophysics program may have an earlier start date.

6. Is there a cost associated with the program?
There is no cost to apply to or attend the program – the Du Bois Scholars Program is a fully funded program. Covered costs include:

• On-campus housing
• Three meals per day, including weekends
• Free access to key research sources and campus facilities (e.g., libraries, gyms)
• Reasonable round-trip air/travel costs to attend the program
• Competitive stipend to support additional expenses

Costs not associated with and pre-planned by the program are not approved (e.g., off-campus meals, toiletries, souvenirs, etc.).

7. What kind of research projects are offered?
The program offers research projects across academic disciplines including medicine, public health, law, and humanities. Faculty provides the list of available research projects for each summer. To explore Du Bois Fellows’ abstracts from past summers, please visit the 2024 HSURV Abstract Book.

8. Can I propose my own research project?
A list of available research projects will be shared with finalists during the application process.

9. What are the joint Du Bois Scholars Program opportunities?
The Du Bois Scholars Program is thrilled to partner with two other prestigious Harvard programs to offer a joint-program opportunity to selected Du Bois Fellows.

First, the partnership with the Center for Astrophysics gives the next generation of astrophysicists the opportunity to actively participate in research under the direct supervision of prominent scientists in the field. Learn more about the CfA.

Second, the partnership with the Harvard Business School’s Program for Research in Markets and Organizations (PRIMO) enables fellows to have exposure to management and business research on cutting-edge topics. Learn more about PRIMO.

10. What are the program’s expectations of its participants?
Fellows in the program must commit to participating for the duration of the program; program dates are not flexible. Participation includes a summer research project; attending training sessions, mandatory activities, and workshops; and making a final presentation of their summer project.

As a residential program situated in the HSURV, Du Bois Fellows must also agree to uphold the standards set forth in the Harvard College Student handbook.

Fellows are expected to work with the mentor and their research colleagues on a selected summer research project. By the end of the program, fellows are expected to have written a research abstract summarizing their project work to be featured in the HSURV Abstract Book.

11. How can I learn more about the Du Bois Scholars Program?
Subscribe to the H&LS Initiative’s newsletter to stay abreast of key announcements and opportunities. For questions not addressed on this webpage, please reach out to hlos_duboisscholars@harvard.edu.

1. Who is eligible to apply for the Du Bois Scholars Program?
The program is open to rising junior and senior college students from select R1, R2, and research-focused HBCUs. Applicants must be in good standing at their institution.

2. Is there a GPA or test score requirement?
While there is no strict minimum GPA, successful applicants typically have a strong academic record, often with an unweighted GPA of 3.2 or higher.

3. What is the application due date?
Applications were due by December 22, 2025. The portal is now closed.

4. What materials are required for a complete application?
A complete application includes:

• Completed online application
• Unofficial transcript(s)
• Two letters of recommendation on letterhead, one of which must be from a faculty in the applicant’s major
• Personal statement/essay responses
• Resumé of activities and achievements

5. Who should I ask for my letters of recommendation?
Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities, intellectual passion, character, and potential for growth in a rigorous research environment. At least one letter should be from faculty in your major. Both letters must be on letterhead.

6. What are you looking for in the personal statement?
Reviewers expect your authentic voice. This is an opportunity to highlight your academic interests and goals – what motivates you, your academic and professional goals, and why the Du Bois Scholars Program is the right next step for you. Your answers should display critical thinking and an ability to reflect deeply on your experiences.

7. Is the application process different if I’m interested in a joint program experience?
Those interested in the joint program with Program for Research in Markets and Organizations (PRIMO) will need to complete the application processes for both PRIMO and the Du Bois Scholars Program.

8. What is the selection timeline and process?
The application timeline to attend the program in summer 2026 is:

• Application opens: November 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., ET
• Live informational session: December 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., ET
• Application closes: December 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., ET
• First round of notifications: week of January 5, 2026
• Second round notifications: week of January 26, 2026
• Final announcements: week of March 9, 2026

Applications were due by December 22, 2025. The portal is now closed.

Applicants who have submitted a timely, complete application will be notified whether they are moving forward to the Selection Committee review stage. After an applicant has been selected, they will move forward as a finalist.

Finalists will rank their top three preferred research projects from a provided list of available summer projects. Typically, finalists will have an opportunity to interview with at least one faculty mentor from their three preferred projects. Once interviews are complete, finalists will be notified of their acceptance to the program as Du Bois Fellows. Fellows will receive onboarding, orientation, and housing details closer to the start of the program.

9. Will I be interviewed during the application process?
Applicants who move forward to the second stage of the application process are considered finalists and will be asked to rank their top three preferred research projects from a provided list of projects. Typically, finalists will have the opportunity to interview with faculty from at least one of the finalist’s three preferred projects.

10. How are applications evaluated?
The Du Bois Selection Committee conducts a holistic review of each application, considering academic performance, the strength of recommendations, the quality and insight of essay responses, research experience/aptitude, and overall alignment with the Du Bois Scholars Program.

11. Who may I contact if I have more questions?
For questions not addressed in these FAQs, please email hlos_duboisscholars@harvard.edu.