BLISS

The Harvard College BLISS program was launched in summer 2011, at the recommendation of the FAS Deans of Social Science and Harvard College, with the goal of promoting community and academic excellence among a small cohort of motivated Harvard undergraduates in the social sciences. Each summer approximately 16 to 19 BLISS fellows work on social science research projects led by Harvard faculty and staff while living in one of the Harvard College houses with the other fellows in the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV). In addition to conducting full-time research, BLISS fellows participate in a rich variety of academic and social activities.

• Research: The program provides a formative and substantive full-time research experience on a Harvard faculty-led social science project (selected from an array of BLISS-designated research projects on the application). Students will have a chance to write about their projects in an abstract book and to present their research to other students and program mentors at the end of the summer.
• Residential and financial support: Housing and full board are provided. A $3000 stipend will be paid over two installments to cover other expenses.
• Academic/professional development programming: Beyond the research, each week the program will host 1 to 3 mandatory activities, including lectures and discussions with distinguished faculty and professionals in a wide variety of fields as well as practical seminars on research ethics, communicating research, and more.
• Recreational and social programs: BLISS 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 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 funded by URAF.

Applicants must:

• Be continuing Harvard College undergraduate students in good standing (unfortunately we cannot accept applications from students at other universities);
• Be able to commit to full-time, on-campus, participation for the entire program;
• Agree to reside in assigned on-campus housing for the duration of the program;
• Agree to forego other summer funding or other substantial commitments. Students enrolling in summer school courses, preparing for the summer graduate school exams, working other jobs, or engaging in high-commitment extracurriculars (including scheduled public service, artistic, or athletic summer activities) are not eligible to participate in BLISS.

Selection will be based on applicant responses to the essay questions, recommender evaluations, and mentor preferences after interviews are completed. Preference will be given to individuals who have not yet participated in an HSURV program (e.g., PRISE, SPUDS, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SPUDS, or SURGH). Candidates will be assessed on the following:

• Project and interest match
• Program and personal/academic/professional goals match
• Background and preparation
• Impact on community engagement

Applications are read by staff and faculty, and finalists will be selected to interview with one or more project mentors in late February and early March. Awards will be made on a rolling basis in March.

• Fulltime (35-40 hours per week) work on the research project under the guidance of faculty and other mentors.
• Enthusiastic participation in all mandatory daytime and evening enrichment activities (1 to 3 events per week, averaging about 5 hours per week). Mentors are asked to allow students flexibility to adjust their weekday schedules to attend daytime events.
• Submission of a written research abstract partway through the summer.
• Oral 10-minute research presentation with slides at the end of the summer (and attendance at the presentations made by other students).
• On-campus residence in the assigned housing throughout the duration of the summer.

Those with conflicts (personal, academic, or professional) that would interfere with any of the above requirements should not apply.

Please review the application instructions in CARAT for full details. Applications consist of the following: 

• Evaluation form / recommendation letter
• Resume
• Transcript
• Three Essays (350-750 words per response):
  • Describe why you are interested in the specific BLISS project(s) you have selected, how you are qualified to do this research and what you hope to learn. Please include a separate short paragraph for each project you have listed.
  • Describe how you expect participation in BLISS will inform your academic trajectory and/or contribute to your professional goals. (It is not necessary to include separate paragraphs for each project; this can be a more holistic answer.)
  • Using specific examples—from your time in your Harvard house or dorm, or from within other clubs, teams, or groups— describe how you have supported others’ learning or contributed to community in the past, and explain how you will build and benefit from HSURV’s talented, diverse, and collaborative research community?