Step Five: Research and Data Analysis
Funding your project
An honors thesis does not have to be an expensive undertaking to be a success. Each year excellent work is produced on a very low budget. But depending on your specific topic and method, you may need to pay for such expenses as supplies, computer time, photocopying, or participants. You should work closely with your supervisor in preparing a project of realistic scope and with a reasonable budget that matches your resources. To supplement your personal funds, there are a number of sources that may be appropriate and available to you.
Your supervisor may be able to assist you by providing access to facilities, equipment, or perhaps even participants that would be very difficult and expensive to obtain otherwise. A supervisor may also have grant money that can be used to purchase supplies or pay participants for your project. This depends, however, on the nature of your work and of the grant, and you cannot assume that your supervisor will have funds available to assist you.
The Harvard College Research Program sometimes provides funds to help cover research costs, and may provide a stipend to support thesis research over the summer. Deadlines are firm and early, so check their site often.
The Dean's Summer Research Awards provide rising seniors who have already received an HCRP grant with an additional grant to cover the summer savings requirement of their financial aid packages.
Any thesis funding opportunity notices from outside the department that are sent to the Undergraduate Office will be emailed to senior thesis writers and juniors in PSY 985.
Also see Student Employment Office: Research Funding
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