Emergency Hardship Funding
The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) provides emergency funding for currently enrolled PhD students who are going through unexpected emergencies. Emergency funding typically provides grants up to a maximum of $2,500. Learn more about this resource here.
External Fellowships
Graduate students, both U.S. citizens and international students, can apply for external fellowships, and the University offers resources to help graduate students find relevant funding opportunities and prepare strong applications. International students may also choose to check with their respective governments and in-country organizations to locate additional fellowship opportunities.
For fellowships and grant writing workshops:
CCB Fellowships
The prizes below will be offered on a rolling basis. Please email Kathy Oakley your completed applications. The department will send a reminder to all students at the beginning of each term to apply for these fellowships.
CHRISTENSEN TRAVEL PRIZE for OUTSTANDING RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENT
The Christensen Prize was established in 1988 by Dr. Burton G. Christensen, A.M. 1954, Ph.D. 1956. A limited number of travel grants, up to $2,000 each, will be awarded on a first come first serve basis to graduate students in organic chemistry to attend a prestigious scientific meeting of their choosing. Please note that this award is intended for future travel. This prize is also open to non-CCB students working in CCB labs, though some preference may be given to CCB students.
To apply, email the following to Kathy Oakley (with a copy to your advisor):
- Name
- Graduate year
- Conference name, location and dates
- Title of the individual's talk (if he/she will be giving a presentation)
- Estimated budget for travel, registration, food, etc. expenses. Per diem rates (available here) may be used to budget for food and incidentals.
- Have you already paid any upfront costs for this conference?
- Names and dates of conferences you have attended during your time at Harvard (if applicable)
-
In 1-page or less, summarize your research project for a general scientific audience (i.e., anyone with a PhD in chemistry or related field can understand).
- Describe the big-picture scientific importance of your research
- What question(s) are you answering? What have you learned?
- Why is your research project exciting for you?
- In 1-page or less, describe why attending this conference is important to you and your development as a scientist.
CCB DEPARTMENT TRAVEL PRIZE for OUTSTANDING RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENT
Starting with 2018-19, the Department has established the CCB Department Travel Prize for those graduate students in areas not eligible for the Christensen Prize. A limited number of travel grants, up to $2,000 each, will be awarded on a first come first serve basis to graduate students in physical, inorganic, or theoretical chemistry to attend a prestigious scientific meeting of their choosing. Please note that this award is intended for future travel. This prize is also open to non-CCB students working in CCB labs, though some preference may be given to CCB students.
To apply, email the following to Kathy Oakley (with a copy to your advisor):
- Name
- Graduate year
- Conference name, location and dates
- Title of the individual's talk (if he/she will be giving a presentation)
- Estimated budget for travel, registration, food, etc. expenses. Per diem rates (available here) may be used to budget for food and incidentals.
- Have you already paid any upfront costs for this conference?
- Names and dates of conferences you have attended during your time at Harvard (if applicable)
-
In 1-page or less, summarize your research project for a general scientific audience (i.e., anyone with a PhD in chemistry or related field can understand).
- Describe the big-picture scientific importance of your research
- What question(s) are you answering? What have you learned?
- Why is your research project exciting for you?
- In 1-page or less, describe why attending this conference is important to you and your development as a scientist.
CCB LAPTOP/RESEARCH ALLOWANCE
Beginning with the class entering in Fall 2015, incoming graduate students have the option to be reimbursed for (1) the purchase of a computer and/or research-related software -OR- (2) the cost of attending one research-related conference. These funds would need to be used by the end of the G4 year (June 30th). Note that funds may not be used in both categories. Receipts will be required, and this one-time reimbursement is limited to $1,500 (effective 2023-24 AY).
To qualify, please submit a Laptop/Research Allowance Form to Kathy Oakley.
DUDLEY R. HERSCHBACH TEACHING AWARD
The Dudley R. Herschbach Award recognizes excellence in teaching and dedication to departmental service. Eligible recipients have:
- high CUE scores
- a strong reputation as a teacher and nomination by one Faculty member AND one undergraduate student
- taught more than one semester
- made significant contributions (i.e. Quality of Life work, Science Center lab efforts, etc.) to the department
- not already received a Herschbach Teaching Award
Recipients receive a $500 stipend and Certificate from the Department Chair; an award presentation(s) by Dudley R. Herschbach, Frank B. Baird, Jr. Research Professor of Science; and their name inscribed on the Teaching Award plaque in our Department Center.
Nominations may be sent by email or hard copy to Gregg Tucci, Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Internships
With the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies and their faculty advisor, graduate students may have internships of up to three months during the summer in areas directly related to their PhD research. Ordinarily, graduate students will not be paid from Harvard during the internship. At least two months prior to the start of the internship, graduate students should email Joe Lavin or Kathy Oakley a 1-page summary of the internship and how it pertains to their PhD research. Graduate students should include an explanation of why they are doing the internship, how it will contribute to their doctoral studies, and any other details they would like to share. Students should include their advisor on the email. It is the responsibility of international students to consult with the Harvard International Office on visa requirements.
GSAS Fellowships
GSAS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
If noted in the Notice of Financial Support provided at the time of admission, PhD students who entered GSAS between fall 2015 and fall 2019 and are in their third year of study or beyond are eligible to apply for professional development funding of up to $2,500 over the course of their enrollment in the PhD program. Students are eligible with proof of successful passing of the G2 Qualifying Exam, approval of their faculty advisor, and with the approval of the Co-Director of Graduate Studies (Joe Lavin).
Deadlines
- Fall Funding Cycle - August 31 for fund disbursement on October 1
- Spring Funding Cycle - December 21 for fund disbursement on February 1
- Summer Funding Cycle - April 30 for fund disbursement on June 1