Science Research

Alexis Trench
Alexis Trench

Participating in research experiences as an undergraduate is an excellent way to add depth to your science understanding and actively engage with what you are learning in the classroom. By doing so, you further develop your laboratory, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and you start to build your network with faculty members. Research experiences are valuable components to your resume, and they can make you more competitive for both graduate school and industry opportunities.

Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Caitlin Roberts-Donovan
Caitlin Roberts-Donovan

This page is a resource for students looking for fellowships to support undergraduate research (you can also check out our resource on language and study abroad). 

“I’m glad I decided to pursue Fulbright. It gave me an opportunity to share my unique experience as an immigrant and first-generation college student, not only with my Chinese colleagues, but also with other international students at Northwest University, who rarely meet Chinese Americans.“ 

“I previously had dreams to be an author, but found myself called by the combination of logic, mystery, and truth in science.”

National Institutes of Standards & Technology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NIST SURF) (students)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) at NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, MD; Boulder, CO; and Waimanalo, Hawaii. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through a unique research experience that supports the NIST mission.  Eligible are currently enrolled undergraduates who are US citizens or permanent residents, majoring in chemistry, computer science, physics, engineering, materials science, fire research, nanotechnology, information technology, mathematics, biology, manufacturing, statistics, or another STEM discipline.

“Listen to your heart and use your head. Math and science ignited my imagination for as far back as I can remember.”

Schimke and Shackford Graduate Fellowships (women graduates of any US institution)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Wellesley College offers a number of fellowships and scholarships for graduate study or research open to seniors and graduates of Wellesley. Two of these awards are also open to women graduates of any American institution. The Mary McEwen Schimke Scholarship is a supplemental award to provide relief from household and child care expenses while pursuing graduate study, and the M.A. Cartland Shackford Medical Fellowship is for the study of medicine with a view to general practice, not psychiatry.

    "I reached out to several Wellesley alums and former Pickering/Rangel recipients to help me prepare for the finalist interviews and essays. If I can give advice to anyone wanting to apply for this fellowship in the future it is to do the same thing! I couldn’t have done this without their guidance and encouragement."

    "I'm excited by the unknown. I'm not sure where I'll be or who I'll meet at these embassies, but I'm looking forward to the new experiences!"

    Financing Your Graduate School Education

    Wellesley Career Education logo
    Wellesley Career Education

    Everyone will specific questions regarding their financial situation and how it impacts the entire application and funding process. This resource provides information to help you project costs and possible methods of funding including loans, school-based aid, PhD specifics, outside funding, fellowships, and scholarships.

    “For me, the Watson was not about a year-long adventure but about learning to see the possibilities available in the world and realizing that I am capable of pursuing any of them I want.”

    Writing a Personal Statement

    Wellesley Career Education logo
    Wellesley Career Education

    A personal statement is a narrative essay that connects your background, experiences, and goals to the mission, requirements, and desired outcomes of the specific opportunity you are seeking. It is a critical component in the selection process, whether the essay is for a competitive internship, a graduate fellowship, or admittance to a graduate school program. It gives the selection committee the best opportunity to get to know you, how you think and make decisions, ways in which past experiences have been significant or formative, and how you envision your future.

    Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at Wellesley College (sophomores and juniors)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded at 187 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. McNair participants are first-generation college students with financial need, and/or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate education for students from underrepresented groups.  At Wellesley, the McNair Scholars Program is STEM focused, and applications are typically due in November each year.

    Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (sophomores and juniors)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Supports one or two years of undergraduate study in the fields of mathematics, engineering, and natural sciences. Eligible are college sophomores or juniors who are US citizens, permanent residents, and nationals intending to pursue research careers in STEM fields. Campus application deadline typically in late November/early December.

    Carnegie Junior Fellows Program (seniors & graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program supports a year's work at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC. Eligible are graduating seniors and recent graduates who are eligible to work in the US for a year. Campus application deadline typically in November.

    Liliane Pingoud Soriano ’49 Curatorial Fellowship at the Musée du Louvre, Paris (seniors)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    The Soriano Fellowship program between the Davis and the Musée du Louvre allows a Wellesley student to work for four months as a research Fellow at the Louvre in Paris. In addition to working at one of the world’s great museums, the Soriano Curatorial Fellow can attend courses and programs at the Ecole du Louvre. Only graduating seniors may apply.

    A Brief Introduction to Fellowships and Scholarships

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Fellowships and scholarships offer funding to support a range of purposeful activities, including undergraduate research, language study/other study abroad, self-designed projects, teaching and service, graduate or professional study, or even internships and professional placements. They can open doors for you to things you might not be able to pursue otherwise.

    There are opportunities for students and graduates of every nationality and at every stage of their careers. What might be the right fit for you?