The Undergraduate Program

Senior Thesis Funding Opportunities

Senior Thesis Fellowship for Research in European Archives

Eligibility: Juniors (Columbia College and General Studies) who will be doing senior theses on European history topics or on topics in other fields using sources from European archives

Award: Grant of approximately $4,500 plus workshops and mentoring

Since 2014, Professor Pedersen and Professor Coleman have led the program “Enhancing the Research Component of the History Major,” a program that provides expanded research opportunities for undergraduate History majors doing senior theses on European history topics or on topics in other fields using sources from European archives.

Each Spring, the department selects eight to ten Juniors to receive the Senior Thesis Fellowship for Research in European Archives. The Fellowship not only includes a grant of approximately $4,500, with which recipients conduct four to six weeks of research in European archives, but also includes supplemental workshops and mentoring activities throughout the year, culminating in a three-day workshop at the Columbia Global Center Europe (CGE) in Paris.

The program draws on the resources of Global Center Istanbul as well as an extensive network of contacts and collaborations throughout Europe. Paul LeClerc, Director of the Global Center Europe, and Barbara Rockenbach and John Tofanelli, respectively director of the Humanities and History libraries, and research librarian for the Anglo-American collections at Columbia, have generously agreed to partner with us in continuing this program.

The librarians of the Columbia University Libraries are happy to help you identify sources and plan your research. A list of librarians available for consultation in different fields can be found here. In addition, you may find the Guide to British Archives and the Guide to European Archives useful for research purposes.

Senior Thesis Research in Europe Fund Application (Due: March 27th, 2020)
HIGHLY SUGGESTED: Workshop information for Interested Students (February 12, February 25)

*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Columbia funds are prohibited for travel including research that will be conducted in conjunction with travel. We will evaluate the situation early in 2021 and will decide whether it is possible to reinstate this program in summer 2021.

Edwin Robbins Summer Research Fellowship

Eligibility: Junior majors (Columbia College ONLY) who intend to write a thesis

Award: $2,500

The department offers two fellowships of $2,500 each year to support summer research in preparation for writing a senior thesis. Interested students must identify a faculty member willing to supervise the research project and submit a proposal of no more than 1,500 words.

Edwin Robbins Summer Research Fellowship Application (Due: April 10th at 10am)

*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Columbia funds are prohibited for travel including research that will be conducted in conjunction with travel. Applications are accepted for remote research, or a project that takes place where the applicant is currently located.

CC/GS Senior Thesis Funding

Eligibility: Seniors (Columbia College and General Studies) who are enrolled in a senior thesis seminar or independent senior thesis section in the fall term

Award: Varies

Columbia College and the School of General Studies both offer grants towards writing senior theses. Grant amounts normally range from $50 to $250 (with grants up to $500 occasionally granted) and cover expenses like photocopying and traveling. The two schools have different deadlines, which vary year to year and will be communicated to thesis students by October of their Senior Fall, but the applications can be found below, for student interested in completing the form ahead of time.