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.

 

Image
Lauren Anderson, CCAS Luther Rice Fellow

 

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.

Learn More and Apply

Image
A young man gesturing and presenting to a listener standing in front of a research poster

 

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.

Learn More and Submit

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.

 

""
Image
Olivia Nippe-Jeakins
 
""

 

"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.

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

Program Coordinator Nico MacDougall (second from right) with Harlan scholars (from left) Cole Christensen, Valerie Chen, Zoe Ilgenfritz, Martina Tsimba, Maggie Connolly and Margarita Kyza-Karavioti  at the Botanic Gardens. Not shown is Harlan scholar Kiana Kamrava.

Summer School: Bio Students Thrive in Harlan Fellowship

A cohort of biology students spent their summer in the lab and the field thanks to a CCAS program that supports undergraduate research opportunities.

Biology and statistics major Chaitrali Patil discussed her project on designing safer pesticides with CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck at the CCAS Research Showcase. (Photos: William Atkins/GW Today)

CCAS Showcase Celebrates Student Research

More than 125 undergraduate and graduate students across the disciplines displayed their scholarly work at the inaugural CCAS Research Showcase.

History doctoral candidate and U.S. Marine veteran A.J. Cade. (Photo William Atkins)

History Restored: The Untold Story of Black Civil War Soldiers

History PhD candidate and Marine vet A.J. Cade was inspired by a forgotten Civil War regiment of all-Black soldiers. Now, he’s bringing their legacy to life.