Opportunities at Simmons

Throughout your undergraduate career at Simmons, you will have numerous opportunities to explore scholarly and creative passions, participate in paid, hands-on research experiences, present at national and international conferences, receive mentorship from faculty, pursue global experiences, and connect with community leaders, organizations, hospitals, and world-renowned research laboratories in the Boston area and beyond.

Explore Research Opportunities at Simmons

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URF) offers a range of programs that support undergraduate academic and professional growth, including:

  • Barbara Lee Fellowship: Barbara Lee, an alumna of Simmons University, heads the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, whose mission is to move women into the political sphere. The Foundation has provided money to Simmons for the Barbara Lee Fellowship, which increases awareness of politics as a vocation for women. The call for applications occurs in October; students are notified of their placements by the first week of December. Seniors preferred, juniors considered.
  • Fund for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors: The Fund for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors provides financial support for student-initiated independent research projects and creative endeavors. Students may apply for up to $300. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed on the 15th of each month from August to May. Open to all undergraduates.
  • Passionate Leaders Project: The Passionate Leaders Project supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom. Students may request up to $4,000 through the PLP to fund a variety of activities, including, but not limited to: global experiences, research, internships, service projects, and creative endeavors. Application cycles vary. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Senior Scholar Award: Sponsored by the Provost’s Office and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the Senior Scholar Award will be presented to six graduating seniors in recognition of outstanding scholarship and contribution to a field of study.
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at Simmons: Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at Simmons (SURPASs) is a paid, intensive summer research experience for undergraduates and faculty mentors across disciplines. Accepted students receive a $3,000 stipend, a supplemented budget of $1,000 for materials and supplies, residential campus housing during the summer intensive, and Simmons meal points. SURPASs faculty mentors receive a stipend of $2,000 and Simmons meal points for the duration of the summer intensive. The application cycle for the following summer opens in September and closes in late February. Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
  • Faculty-Student Collaborative Fellowship: The Faculty-Student Collaborative Fellowship at Simmons is a competitive small grant program that supports faculty research and provides funding to undergraduate students assisting faculty in their research. Applications must be submitted by a full-time faculty member at Simmons.
  • Undergraduate Student Conference Fund: The Undergraduate Student Conference Fund provides financial support for students presenting at conferences. Students may apply for up to $300. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed on the 15th of each month from August to May. Open to all undergraduates.
  • Undergraduate Symposium: The Undergraduate Symposium is a day-long event that recognizes and celebrates exemplary undergraduate scholarship across disciplines. Students present their work - often the culmination of a semester or year-long engagement in a project - with peers, faculty, staff, supervisors, family and friends, and other members of the community. Projects may include senior capstones, independent research projects, service-learning projects, faculty-led research, global experiences, internships, creative endeavors, and more. The Symposium takes place in late April; applications are accepted starting in September until late February. Open to all undergraduates.

Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

Headshot of Nakeisha Cody

Nakeisha Cody

Vice President of Student Success and Diversity

Jaime Libowitz

Director of Operations, Undergraduate Programs

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Rich Gurney

Professor and Chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department