Summer Humanities and Arts Research Program (SHARP)

Date and Time

February 12, 2025

All day

Application Deadline

EXTENDED Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 11:59pm via CARAT. Application instructions available on CARAT.

Information Session

These materials contain a wealth of information about the program, example projects, and connecting application components to selection criteria. Please review these materials in depth before preparing and submitting an application. Advisees will be required to review these materials prior to scheduling 1:1 advising appointments focused on this program.

Recording: SHARP 2024 Recording.mp4
Slides: SHARP 2024 Slides.pdf

Description

The Summer Humanities and Arts Research Program (SHARP) was launched in summer 2013 with the support of the Dean of Arts and Humanities in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Dean of Harvard College. SHARP provides students with diverse research opportunities across the arts and humanities in an exciting range of research settings. SHARP fellows contribute to the rich, interdisciplinary intellectual, social, and residential environment in activities that include roundtable lunch talks with distinguished faculty speakers, pre-professional seminars, and opportunities to explore Harvard and the New England region more broadly.

Prospective fellows apply to a selection of proposed projects from Harvard affiliates (SHARP projects will be posted late December through mid January) or propose their own mentored project. Fellows work with their mentors to define their research activities, goals, and outcomes for the duration of the program.

2025 Program Dates (updated 1/14/2025):

Move-in: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - Friday, June 6, 2025
Programming dates: Monday, June 9, 2025 - Friday, August 8, 2025
Move-out: Friday, August 8, 2025 - Saturday, August 9, 2025

Program Components

Program benefits and financial support are meant to enable SHARP fellows to form a close-knit residential community. Therefore, SHARP Fellows are expected to participate and contribute to the community of scholars in evening enrichment activities throughout the term of the program. While many activities are voluntary, other SHARP activities, especially those associated with Harvard faculty, are required for all Fellows.

Research experience

The intent of the program is to provide a formative and substantive research experience over ten weeks of the summer, working full-time (40 hours per week) on a project designed by specified Harvard faculty or in collaboration with partnering libraries and museums. Prospective participants will select preferences from an array of SHARP-designated research projects on the application. Available SHARP projects will be posted in late December through mid January.

Professional Development

Special evening programming featuring prominent researchers and scientists in the Harvard community and the Boston area will be open to all Harvard undergraduates. Seminars for SHARP Fellows will include a number of topics specifically designed to augment and enrich their knowledge about research and careers in and beyond academia. Topics such as research ethics, poster presentations, and post-graduate career opportunities will be offered throughout the Program. In addition, Fellows will have the opportunity to practice speaking about their research, in both small and large groups throughout the summer.

SHARP/HSURV Community

SHARP Fellows are eligible to register for free use of Harvard athletic facilities (including the Malkin Athletic Center, Hemenway Gymnasium, and Blodgett Pool). A calendar of activities will include a range of opportunities to socialize and take advantage of Boston's cultural and recreational summer offerings, including a variety of excursions, Red Sox games, and Fellow-initiated community events sponsored by URAF for the College-affiliated research programs.

Residential Life

SHARP Fellows will live together in one of the Harvard College River Houses for the duration of the Program. All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) will be provided. A $3,000 stipend is paid in two installments to the fellow to cover other living expenses.

Requirements and Expectations

Commit 40 hours per week of research work and event attendance during the full duration of the program. There are typically 2 required SHARP-speciifc events and 1 required HSURV-wide event each week.
Live on campus for the full duration of the program.
Present project progress in a 10-minute presentation at the end of the program.

Eligibility

Continuing Harvard College undergraduate student
Good academic standing
Preference given to individuals who have not yet participated in a Harvard Summer Research Village Program
Individuals taking summer school courses, preparing for the summer graduate school exams, or engaging in full-time public service projects are not eligible to participate in SHARP.
May accept funding for only one Harvard-funded summer experience, per the Harvard College Summer Funding Policy.

Benefits

Formative research experience
Close-knit community of researchers
Academic, personal, and professional development programming
A living stipend of $3,000, paid in two installments
Free lodging in designated Harvard housing
Free and full meal plan (3 meals/day, 7 days/week)

Application Components

Please review the application instructions in CARAT for full details.

Resume
Transcript
Project description, Houghton and independent projects only
Three (3) Essays:
- Project proposal (max 500 words per project, up to 2 projects can be proposed)
- Academic and professional trajectory and goals (max 500 words)
- Community engagement (max 500 words)
Evaluation form (in lieu of recommendation letter)
Confirmation letter, for independent projects only

Selection Criteria

Applications for this opportunity are assessed on the following metrics:

Project and interest match
Program and personal/academic/professional goals match
Background and preparation
Impact on community engagement
Confirmation letter (for independent projects only)

Application Review Process

Applications are read by staff and faculty selection committee. In late February, finalists are selected to interview. Interviews are conducted with faculty hosts in early March. Awards are made in mid March.

Dos and Don’ts

Do: Read project descriptions carefully before selecting which to propose.
Do: Read up on the HSURV community to get a sense of community engagement opportunities and expectations
Don’t: Apply to SHARP if you have conflicts (family vacations, other internships, conferences) during the program