Undergraduate Research Awards offered

The Harvard Children’s Initiative and the Mind/Brain/Behavior Initiative have announced research awards of up to $1,500 for Harvard juniors and seniors (as of fall 2002). The second annual Kagan Undergraduate Research Awards are named in honor of Jerome Kagan, Daniel and Amy Starch Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, for his indispensable work in developmental psychology, and his deep commitment to undergraduate education.

Proposed research from virtually any discipline must relate to children, or to issues that affect children. Students may carry out research projects anywhere in the world during the summer of 2002.

All Harvard College students with sophomore and junior standing in spring 2002 are eligible to apply. The Kagan Awards are intended to encourage the focused research of rising juniors and seniors; therefore, many students might wish to use the awards to prepare for junior tutorials or senior theses.

Juniors in spring 2002 who receive financial aid are also eligible to apply for a Dean’s Summer Research Award, which can cover the summer savings requirement of the financial aid package.

Each student will conduct research under the direction of a faculty mentor. Mentors may be affiliated with any faculty of the University. A head tutor’s signature is required to indicate departmental approval.

Awardees residing in the Greater Boston area during the summer will participate in an informal summer lunch seminar series. In the autumn of 2002, all awardees will present their work at a research symposium.

Application materials, including a two-page research proposal, budget form, and transcript, must be received no later than Wednesday, April 10, at 4 p.m. The Faculty Steering Committee of the Harvard Children’s Initiative will screen the proposals and announce the decisions by Thursday, April 25.

For further information and application materials, visit the Web site at http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~hci, or contact Jennifer Mason at (617) 496-4938, or at jennifer_mason@harvard.edu.