The CUSP Independent Research and Creative Project provides partial financial support for Scholars who wish to conduct their own independent research or creative project under the guidance of a professor or creative professional.

The Independent Project Fellowship affords scholars the opportunity to engage with the methodological framework of independent academic research and/or the creative process. A branch of the summer enhancement fellowship, the independent program differs from the practicum in that it aims to familiarize students with the skill set specific to formal academic writing and researching, which includes preparing a research statement, developing an appropriate research question, working with an academic mentor, and utilizing academic resources, such as the Columbia University archives. The fellowship thus serves as an invaluable foundation for students who might be interested in writing an undergraduate thesis, pursuing a graduate degree or producing a portfolio.

TIMELINE OF KEY EVENTS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOLARS APPLYING FOR SUMMER 2026 FUNDING

* Welcome Back & SEF Showcase (MANDATORY ATTENDANCE)

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
6:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Rennert Hall, Kraft Center

* SEF Independent Projects Panel (MANDATORY ATTENDANCE)

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
6:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Alfred Lerner Hall 401

* SEF General Information Session (MANDATORY ATTENDANCE)

Thursday, October 16, 2025
6:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Online

* SEF Independent Projects Info Session (MANDATORY ATTENDANCE)

Thursday, October 30, 2025
6:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Online

What is the difference between an independent research project and a creative project? What does an independent project proposal entail? Graduate Student Mentors will introduce the components of the research proposal beginning with the title and ending with the budget. This information session will address how to formulate appropriate problem statements, research questions, bibliography, finding a mentor, etc. GSM's will introduce students to resources on campus such as the writing center, Columbia library info services, etc. 

The workshop will cover the following items: 

• What is expected of students who receive the grant

• Overview of deadlines, requirements, budget guidelines, codes of behavior

• Identifying and developing a research question or topic

• IRB/RASCAL Training

• Writing the research proposal and thesis

• Finding a mentor

• The statement should:
  • be provided by submission of the form which will be sent to those who submit reflections on the SEF Independent Project Info Session or its makeup option.
  • be a short (three to four sentences) paragraph giving a preliminary idea or suggestion for the CUSP Independent Project Summer Fellowship.
  • identify one or more possible faculty supporter(s).
• Any statement submitted after November 30 will not be considered.
• Upon receipt, GSMs will reach out to those who have submitted the statement of interest to arrange a one-on-one meeting in order to refine the idea into a proposal.

• The draft of proposal should:
  • be provided by submission of the form which will be sent to those who submit the initial statement of interest and participate in meetings with GSMs to refine their projects.
  • identify a plan for the CUSP Independent Project Summer Fellowship. This should include: a goal/pitch, tentative work plan, methodology, and timeline. Refer to the "Writing the Proposal" handout provided at the Independent Project Information Session for guidelines.
  • confirm that you have emailed your faculty supporter a copy of the letter from CUSP provided at the Independent Project Information Session.
• Any draft of proposal submitted after January 20 will not be considered.
• Upon receipt, GSMs will reach out to those who have submitted the draft of proposal to arrange a one-on-one meeting in order to further refine the proposal. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL

All CUSP scholars (CC, SEAS) traveling outside the 50 U.S. states for internships, research assistantships, volunteer work, or independent projects will need to complete the Undergraduate International Travel Policy process. If you have any questions, then please feel free to contact us at cusp@columbia.edu.  The deadline to submit your plans for the International Travel Policy process is Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

International travel clearance must be applied for by students, and approval must be received by CUSP, before CUSP can consider the application and determine funding. CUSP SEF funding will not apply to travel projects with start dates prior to when CUSP awards funding.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & TAXES

• For international students who are from a country that has a tax treaty with the US, there may be a tax responsibility of up to 14% taken from the SEF award amount.  Please review the explanation of tax liability of your stipend as described on the IRS website. You can find guidance also on the ISSO webpage. 
• If you are entitled to an exemption from taxation of the SEF award, then complete the Foreign National Information Form and return it to the Human Resources Service Center. Students interested in more information about the tax exemption must email Carlos Liro-Coppa (cil1@columbia.edu) from Columbia University's Human Resources Service Center. 

SIGNING UP FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT

CUSP strongly recommends that all applicants register for Direct Deposit.  Direct deposit to a U.S. checking or savings account is the University's preferred method for issuing stipends to students.  International students need to set up direct deposit for Refund and Stipend separately. Questions about direct deposit and timing of disbursement must be directed to the Student Service Center.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

* APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2026 WILL BE DUE MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 BY 11:59PM ET.  Applications will be available online on Monday, March 9, 2026. 

Unique for Independent Project applicants - your primary faculty supporter must be a full-time Columbia University, Barnard College, or Teacher's College faculty member and must be able complete the online support form as part of your application.  A survey link will be sent to you (and the faculty supporter) via an email confirmation following your application submission. Faculty supporters will need only to respond to multiple choice and short answer questions regarding your project proposal.  Recall that the role of the faculty supporter is to lend assistance to you in the development, implementation, and/or conclusion of the project.  At minimum, the faculty supporter must be able to comment on the feasibility of the project proposal.  They have the option to lend additional support by sharing resources, helping to check project logistics, and/or making connections through networks.  The faculty member must submit their support form no later than Monday, April 20, 2026. You will receive a confirmation email after the faculty member submits their form.

The online application can be saved as a draft, reviewed, and revised before your final submission. However, you should have available at the time of your submission: the logistical information about your internship/research assistantship and contacts; your budget breakdown (e.g. amount for housing, food, supplies) that you will enter into the form fields; and, an essay answering the supplementary questions as a .doc or .pdf. The supplemental questions will ask you to describe your internship and what motivated you to this opportunity; to explain what you intend to learn during the summer; and to list the CUSP events that you attended and how each event contributed to your understanding of this year's theme of "Evolution & Innovation." If you were approved to attend alternate events due to academic conflicts, then you will have to reflect on your experiences and on the theme from those events. 

Preparation Tips:

• You must participate in and complete the reflection forms for at least 8 CUSP enrichment events or alternate events (if applicable) by Monday, April 13, 2026, at 11:59pm;
• Have readily available your employment/position confirmation letter for those pursuing internships, research assistantships, or volunteer positions (more below). 
• Prepare your responses to Supplemental Questions in advance
  • What was the inspiration for your project?
  • What was the most challenging part of writing your project proposal?
  • How did the CUSP events (or alternate events) contribute to your understanding of this year’s Speaker Series theme of Evolution & Innovation? [List your events and explain.];
• Consider a realistic budget – on average, awardees receive up to about $3,000 for a 12-week summer experience.  With the recent economic climate and an uptick in student interest in the SEF, the amounts for this year will be variable.  You must be able to justify your budget in the application.

Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee on the basis of their overall fulfillment of the selection criteria (see below).  Incomplete applications and candidates who do not meet the criteria will not be considered. Notification of the final decision will take place in early June.

* Criteria for Selection: To be considered for the funding, applicants must: (1) have a GPA of at least 2.6; (2) be in good academic standing with Columbia College and the School of Engineering; and (3) be in good standing with CUSP. All scholars should have participated in CUSP or alternate events during the 2025-2026 academic year, including students that were studying abroad.

Applications for Independent Projects will be evaluated on: (1) the basis of the originality and scholarly promise of the project; (2) the feasibility, clarity, and coherence of the proposal; (3) the ability of the applicant to undertake the research; and (4) the commitment of a faculty sponsor.

* Human Subjects Research: Many applicants wish to undertake “human subjects research” in which they interview or survey people.  Because of the importance of treating human subjects ethically and ensuring that no harm comes to someone who participates in research, all universities are federally mandated to oversee approval of all human subject research through an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Given the short duration of SEF Independent Projects, CUSP will not support projects by Scholars requiring IRB approval unless they are listed as an approved researcher by the faculty sponsor.  For applicants wishing to undertake such research, the letter from the faculty sponsor must include a statement confirming that the IRB process has been fulfilled. For questions regarding IRB permits, please contact Annie Barry (ab14@cumc.columbia.edu), Assistant Manager, Institutional Review Board (IRB). 

APPLICATION LINK

To apply for the SEF Independent Project award, the application will be available to access here (you will need to log in before you can access it).  The application will be open from March 9 through April 13, 2026.

Good luck! We look forward to reviewing your applications.