Internal funding opportunities for Senior Thesis projects

Barnard students

  • Lucyle Hook Travel Grant (Internal Barnard Grant)
    • Deadline for 2024-25 Academic Year: November 11, 2024
    • ~$100 to $500
    • primarily for seniors
    • contact Dean Erica Siegel by early October of the senior year in order to obtain the Committee guidelines for application
  • Tow Summer Research Fellowship (Internal Barnard Grant)
    • Deadline for 2024-25 Academic Year: March 8, 2025
    • maximum: $4,000 (typically $1,000-4,000)
    • for students doing research – primarily in the summer – between Junior and Senior year (winter break is not an option)
    • contact Dean Erica Siegel if you are interested
  • Tow Special Professional Opportunities Fund (Student Conference Travel)
    • funds are on a first-come, first-served application consideration basis
    • attending a conference up to $250, presenting at a conference up to $500
    • Students must obtain a brief letter of support from a faculty member
    • Contact Beyond Barnard Staff member Gregory Triandis (gtriandi@barnard.edu)

Columbia College & GS students

  • Columbia College Senior Thesis Funding
    • Deadline for 2024-25 Academic Year: December 12, 2024
    • $250 stipend to help with expenses that Columbia College students may incur as they work on a senior thesis or honors project.
    • needs to be submitted to your Senior Seminar Advisor who must sign off on your project 
  • Conference Funding for Students
    • Must apply at least 4 weeks prior to departure for approval
    • Covers all costs: flights, boarding, meals, etc.
    • Once you are approved, you must complete orientation and additional forms at least 2 weeks prior to departure
  • Columbia GS Senior Thesis Stipend
    • Deadline for 2024-25 Academic Year:
      • December 15 for fall-term or academic-year thesis projects
      • April 19 for spring-term thesis projects
      • May 15 for the calendar year or EALAC senior thesis projects for the next academic year
    • $250 stipend to help with expenses that a GS senior may incur as they work on a senior thesis or honors project

Sustainable Development majors

  • Global Fellows in Sustainable Development
    • Fall application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
    • Spring/Summer application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
    • Maximum: $3,500
    • Amount varies according to project needs
    • Must be a DEES/SDEV joint major in Climate and Sustainability or a Sustainable Development undergraduate major
  • Climate School Travel Grant Program
    • Deadline for 2024-25 Academic Year: October 8, 2024
    • The award maximum is $750 for an individual or $2000 for a group in the same lab
    • Ask your mentor for support! There must be a faculty advisor working in conjunction with the student.
    • Must be a DEES/SDEV joint major in Climate and Sustainability or a Sustainable Development undergraduate major

Beyond the above, there are many external programs that provide funding. It is best to discuss this with your research mentor.

Additional Summer Opportunities

  • Summer Research Institute (SRI) at Barnard College
    • Provides funding, subsidized campus housing, and supportive programming for students
    • Students must have a research mentor to participate in SRI
    • Students present at the Lida Orzeck ’68 Poster Session
    • This opportunity is for Barnard students only.
  • The Lamont-Doherty Summer Intern Programs
    • Offer undergraduate funding, housing, and research experience under the mentorship of a researcher at Lamont-Doherty.
    • This opportunity is for all students.

  • E3B students can explore summer opportunities here or contact Matt Palmer at mp2434@columbia.edu.