This program is open to current Harvard undergraduates only.
Deadline
February 18, 2025, at NOON Eastern. Pay attention to mid-day deadline!
Summer 2025 Dates
Friday, June 6, through Thursday, August 7. Participants must commit to the full duration of the program. Students will move in between June 4th and 6th, but should plan to be settled in on campus by 4p on Friday the 6th; they will move out on August 8 and 9th (must be out by 5p, Saturday, August 9).
Information Sessions
These sessions are not mandatory but are a chance to ask questions about the program and/or application process; the sessions are identical (no need to come to both).
Components & Expectations
Program activities and financial support are meant to enable BLISS Fellows to form a close-knit community with each other and with the other HSURV students. Therefore, fellows are expected to participate and contribute to the community of scholars by attending the lunchtime and evening enrichment activities throughout the duration of the Program. While many weekend social activities are voluntary, the academic and professional development activities are required for all fellows.
BLISS benefits include:
- Research experience: The intent of the program is to provide a formative and substantive full-time research experience on a Harvard faculty-guided social science project (selected from an array of BLISS-designated research projects on the application).
- Residential and financial support: Harvard housing and board (20 meals per week) are provided. In addition, a $3000 stipend will be paid over two installments to cover other expenses.
- Research/professional development programming: Each week we will host up to three (mandatory) weekday and/or evening academic and professional development programming, including lectures and discussions with distinguished faculty and professionals in a wide variety of fields; practical seminars; and research presentation sessions at the conclusion of the summer.
- 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 a range of opportunities to socialize and take advantage of Boston’s cultural and recreational summer offerings, including a variety of formal and informal excursions and fellow-initiated community events funded by URAF.
Admitted fellows are expected to
- Work conscientiously on the project to which they are assigned, even if it’s hard or tedious at times;
- Engage with other members of the HSURV community;
- Participate in the mandatory BLISS/HSURV activities each week;
- Write an abstract about their research part-way through the summer;
- Deliver an oral presentation about their research during the final week of the program and attend the presentations of the other fellows.
Project Descriptions
Current BLISS Projects – Division of Social Science
Eligibility & Selection
To be eligible for the program, applicants must
- Be continuing Harvard College undergraduate students in good standing;
- Be able to commit full time (35-45 hours/week) for the entire duration (nine weeks in 2025) of the on-campus research program;
- Agree to reside in the assigned on-campus housing for the full duration of the program;
- Agree to accept funding for only one Harvard-funded summer experience, per the Harvard College Summer Funding Policy.
NOTE: Individuals with significant concurrent obligations, whether personal (like a weeklong family vacation or a high-commitment public service project), or academic/professional (e.g., taking a summer school course, preparing for the summer graduate school exams, working other jobs) are not eligible to participate in BLISS.
Selection has two phases: Initial evaluation will be based on application materials (including evaluation form) indicating that the applicant is strongly suited for a successful summer research experience; a subset of applicants will move forward to the interview stage, where project leads will interview one or more of the fellows who seem to be a good match for their project (some students may interview with multiple projects). Ultimately the project leads will determine which students they want to make an offer to. (Independent Project proposals are evaluated by a separate committee.) A successful application will demonstrate the following:
- A strong dedication to developing or furthering academic skills and scholarly excellence in social science research;
- An eagerness to conduct research in one (or more) of the designated projects, and articulation of how that experience would enhance the applicant’s current academic goals and long-term post-graduation pursuits;
- An academic record demonstrating success in coursework relevant to the applicant’s preferred projects’ prerequisites (some projects do not require extensive prior coursework).
- The ability and desire to engage profoundly and enthusiastically in a diverse residential community of scholars, and the likelihood of benefiting from this participation.
NOTE: 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).
Application Components
Applications should be submitted in CARAT; the following components will be required:
- Resume (1 page)
- Unofficial transcript: Download from my.harvard.edu; it should include your fall course grades and spring course listings.
- Essay Responses: Upload a single document that includes all three essays; label the document with your name at the start, and please include the question number and text before each essay 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 from it. Please include a separate short paragraph for each project you have listed. (250-500 words per project)
- 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 holistic answer. (250-500 words)
- Describe how you will you build and benefit from HSURV’s talented, diverse, and collaborative research community. You may wish to use specific examples from your house or dorm life, or from clubs, teams, work groups, or other associations, of your participation in and/or attempts to create, vibrant healthy communities where diverse perspectives are cultivated, appreciated, and heard. (250-500 words)
- Evaluation form
- Input your recommender’s contact information in the recommender section of CARAT. Ask your recommender to complete the HSURV Applicant Evaluation Form and upload it to CARAT in lieu of a recommendation letter.
- Independent Research Project only: A mentor confirmation letter is required; see instructions in the “Independent Research” option on the project descriptions page.
BLISS is a Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village Program (HSURV). HSURV programs provide a research experience with Harvard-affiliated faculty mentors, along with a stipend and on-campus housing and meal plan for ~9 weeks over the summer. Browse other programs in the Research Village: https://uraf.harvard.edu/find-opportunities/summer-research
FAQs
Is BLISS open to non-Harvard undergraduates?
No. At this time only enrolled Harvard College students (in good standing) are eligible.
Is BLISS limited to applicants concentrating in the social sciences?
No; we accept applications from concentrators in any academic field, and in particular can envision fruitful pairings between social science faculty and students in fields like computer science, applied math, linguistics, philosophy, statistics, human evolutionary biology, and so forth. However, BLISS applicants in non-social science concentrations must demonstrate how such cross-disciplinary research will contribute to their development as scholars.
Can I apply to BLISS if I have completed advanced coursework or already have undertaken a research experience in the social sciences?
Yes. BLISS has been designed to establish and cultivate a diverse community of scholars in the social sciences. Any continuing Harvard undergraduate is eligible as long they are committed to participating in the program and to conducting research in one of the BLISS-affiliated research projects. Note that preference will be given to individuals who have not yet participated in an HSURV program (e.g., PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SPUDs or SURGH).
Can I apply to BLISS if I’m an engineering concentrator who has done only one semester of social science coursework?
Yes. Any continuing Harvard undergraduate is eligible as long they are committed to performing social science research. Of course, your application would have to explain why you seek research experience outside of your concentration, as well as how you relate the BLISS experience to your long-term academic and/or professional trajectory.
How important is academic achievement?
BLISS seeks to attract all undergraduates who are motivated to pursue social science research during the summer. Students must be in good academic standing and, as applicable, have taken coursework and/or had experience that would prepare them for the research projects they are interested in (some projects have prerequisites and some do not). The program will draw from an academically diverse population. Individuals who have a demonstrated keen interest in the social sciences but have not yet had an opportunity to experience research are encouraged to apply.
Is financial need a factor in selecting BLISS Fellows?
Selection of BLISS Fellows will be need-blind. Financial aid recipients are encouraged to apply.
Will BLISS help me get into graduate school?
Clearly, we cannot guarantee that BLISS will have any impact on graduate school admissions. However, BLISS Fellows will benefit from the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary network of peers, and develop close interaction and working relationships with faculty. Many undergraduates do not have the opportunity to participate in this kind of community until much later in their careers. In addition, prominent faculty will participate in activities with the Fellows throughout the program and may serve as future mentors.
Where can I do my research and participate in BLISS?
BLISS applicants must apply to one of the current year’s faculty-initiated research projects. Applicants are encouraged to indicate up to three choices. To the extent possible, individuals selected to participate in BLISS will be paired with their first-choice preference.
Are there any limitations to the kind of research I can do and still be eligible for BLISS?
You may only participate in one of the BLISS-designated research projects.
Can I get housing but not participate in the lunchtime and evening activities?
No. Since a key component of BLISS is contribution to the community and professional development, participants must be willing and available to attend enrichment activities and events.
May I live off-campus?
No. All participants will live together in one of the River Houses.
What do you mean by “build and benefit from HSURV’s talented, diverse, and collaborative research community”?
The residential community means much more than free housing and food for the summer. Throughout the ten weeks there will be numerous opportunities to engage with your fellow students socially, intellectually, emotionally, academically. The community includes undergraduates pursuing research in numerous fields, from Linguistics to Astrophysics, from Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies to African & African American Studies, and everything in between. Why would being part of this community be important to you, and what do you bring to it? (Examples of current or past community engagement, loosely defined, or ideas for the summer, are encouraged.)
Does the Program pay for health insurance?
As a continuing Harvard College undergraduate, you are covered by your regular Harvard health insurance during the summer.
I am planning to travel during the month of August. Could I miss the last two weeks of BLISS?
No. Individuals who are selected for BLISS must commit to the entire program.