research and Study Grants

Decision letters will go out on Friday, March 23, 2012

South Asia Initiative (SAI) Research and Study grants are available to Harvard undergraduates across all disciplines for research or field work in South Asia.

Eligibility: Grants are only available to students continuing at Harvard in the following academic year.

View the Pre-Departure Orientation PowerPoint here.

Process: SAI welcomes undergraduate grant applications through Harvard’s CARAT Grant Application. SAI also encourages applicants to seek additional funding from other sources. For a list of South Asia specific grants, click here.

Application Deadline: February 17, 2012

Applications will be collected in CGIS South, Room S427

Application Components Include:

• The CARAT application, including a budget form
• A carefully written proposal of 750 words outlining the project you hope to undertake and the rationale for pursuing it in your destination(s)
• A one-page bibliography including annotations on your topic of research
• A current resume/CV
• A current official transcript
• Two letters of recommendation sealed in original envelope

Excluding the letters of recommendation and CARAT application, please provide two copies of each application component. Please paper-clip the sealed recommender envelopes to each application packet. If you are submitting multiple applications but a recommender has provided only one letter, our staff will make and collate the required additional copies.

Upon return, students are required to submit a written/multi-media report detailing the experience.  See examples of past reports here.

STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES.

Omidyar Innovative Solutions Grant

SAI is pleased to announce the 'Innovative Solutions' Grant, funded by the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc., for groups of three or more Harvard students to pursue project(s) developed in collaboration with but not limited to the Fall 2011 survey course Contemporary South Asia: A Survey of Intractable Problems and Innovative Solutions. This grant is available to undergraduates and graduates.

Details for applying for the Omidyar Innovative Solutions Grant can be found here.

Undergraduate students with summer research travel plans of 8 weeks or longer are encouraged to apply to the David Rockefeller International Experience Grants Program administered by the Office of International Programs.

SAI encourages potential grant applicants to apply to SAI’s partner host organizations who offer internship experiences in South Asia. Find more information here.

As you prepare to depart to South Asia, check out SAI's student travel guide!

Contact SAI with questions or concerns regarding the Undergraduate Research and Study Grants Program.  E-mail: sainit@fas.harvard.edu