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.
