Ready to Launch: A GW Student’s NASA Mission
PhD student Nick Kirschner’s research journey took him from NASA to the New Mexico desert—part of an agreement that is propelling GW astrophysics to new heights.
Student Research
No matter which field they explore — science, public policy, social science, the arts or the humanities — our undergraduate and graduate students work side-by-side with world-class scientists and investigators to push the boundaries of innovation.
Fellowships and research initiatives allow students to follow their academic curiosity, whether under the guidance of faculty mentors or pursuing independent projects.
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Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellowship
As the college's premier research fellowship opportunity, the Luther Rice Research Fellowships empower students to produce impactful research alongside a faculty mentor. All Columbian College undergraduate students are eligible to apply.
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Columbian College Research Showcase
The CCAS Research Showcase is an opportunity for all graduate and undergraduate students from across the school to present their research and scholarship in a poster session to the broader CCAS community.
External Funding
CCAS students receive research funding from prestigious programs including the Truman Scholarship, Fulbright Program, Marshall Scholarship and Rhodes Scholarship. Learn more on the GW Center for Undergraduate Research Fellowships website.
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"I would like to [express my] gratitude to the GW physics department and my research advisers ... You have shaped not only the physicist I am becoming but also the person I am today, and for that I am deeply grateful."
Olivia Nippe-Jeakins
BS '26, Astronomy and Astrophysics
2026 Distinguished Scholar and Luther Rice Fellow
Endowed Research Opportunities
Undergraduate and graduate students can use Student Research Commons to find research positions and other opportunities across disciplines. The website connects students with paid research positions, fellowships, databases of scholarships and funding opportunities, research internships and other for-credit or experiential opportunities.
Not sure where to start? Check out the options listed on this page, and read our guide to finding undergraduate research opportunities.
Funding Opportunities for Graduate & Postdoctoral Research
Dean’s Graduate Lectureship
The CCAS Dean’s Graduate Lectureship offers exceptional PhD candidates the unique experience of designing and teaching their own undergraduate seminars while obtaining financial support for dissertation research.
CCAS Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship
Qualified PhD candidates can receive support as they work on their dissertations through the Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship, which includes a stipend and tuition assistance.
The Gamow Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Named after George Gamow, a renowned GW theoretical physicist, the Gamow Fellowship promotes student-faculty research collaborations while addressing the need for greater diversity in the science community.
More Graduate Funding Resources
Spotlights on Student Research
How did Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen team toward the political promised land? Luther Rice Fellow Maureen Rafter studied the president and the Boss.
Data Science Students Map a Mission for Ukraine
As winter sets in, Ukrainians face harsh temperatures in war-torn homes. But CCAS students are using their data science skills to map out a rescue plan.
Looking for research opportunities as a student?
Center for Undergraduate Fellowships & Research