Research & Scholarship

Our paid summer research program pairs you with faculty mentors to tackle real-world creative and scientific challenges both on and off-campus.

Summer research opportunities are available through:

• Faculty-initiated fellowships, where you join a professor’s existing research.
• Student-initiated fellowships, where you propose your own idea and find a faculty expert to guide you.

Summer Research and Creative Projects
 

Academically exceptional students who will contribute to the intellectual community are automatically considered for the Alumni Memorial Scholars program when applying to Colgate. If selected, you’ll receive $10,000 to fund research, internships, academic conference attendance, and other academic experiences.

Alumni Memorial Scholars

As a Benton Scholar, you’ll join a community of independent, creative thinkers. If accepted into this program in your first year, you’ll take a dedicated course in the spring semester and use funding to pursue research or other creative projects outside of the classroom over the summer. Once you’re back on campus in the fall, Benton Scholars gather to share their journey.

Benton Scholars

The MBB Scholar Program provides stipends for you to work directly with professors on projects related to the mind, brain, or behavior. Because these partnerships are faculty-driven, you have the opportunity to be identified by a mentor to join a project that matches your interests and potential.

MBBI Scholars

• James Madison Fellows: Pursue original research on themes of free speech, intellectual freedom, and constitutional democracy. This program is open to students in every year of their university career and provides a $6,000 stipend to support their work. Whether you are on campus or in the field, you will conduct your summer project under the direct mentorship of Colgate faculty.
• International Security and Intelligence Program (ISI): Study alongside leading academics and security experts at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University. Eligible juniors and seniors receive full funding and airfare to attend the ISI Program to gain a first-hand look at how high-level intelligence supports statecraft and military operations, and explore transatlantic and global security perspectives.

Kraynak Institute Summer Fellowships
 

• Lampert Scholars: Combine theory and action with the Lampert Institute, where you’ll spend the summer before your senior year examining and addressing pressing policy challenges. Design your own summer research project to examine societal issues of your choice alongside a faculty mentor, then dive into an exclusive fall seminar course.   
• Lampert Fellowship: As a first- or second-year student, you can apply for a Lampert Fellowship to pursue early, inquiry-driven engagement with major global questions. This program supports your self-designed projects, whether through an internship, service work, or traditional research in science, technology, and public policy, or in themes related to the changing world order.

Lampert Scholars

As a rising third- or fourth-year student, you can pursue scientific projects or internships that cross interdisciplinary boundaries. As a Picker Scholar, you’ll receive a stipend to fund an immersive, summer research experience that prepares you for top-tier graduate programs, prestigious fellowships, and impactful careers.

Picker ISI Scholars Program

Spend your summer making an impact through the Upstate Institute Field School, where you'll partner with local government or nonprofits on full-time research projects across Central New York and the Adirondack Park. Select a project that aligns with your interests—from environmental conservation to social work and economic development—and earn a weekly stipend as you gain professional experience and build community.

Summer Field School