The Bucknell Program for Undergraduate Research (PUR) is a University-wide program providing awards to students to conduct research, engage in other scholarship or undertake creative projects with faculty mentors during the summer. Students will receive $400 per week and on-campus housing during their PUR work, for up to 10 weeks.

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The Emerging Scholars Summer Research, Scholarship & Creativity Program supports students in the early exploration of their research and scholarly interests and in developing their research skills, under the tutelage of a faculty mentor or mentors. 

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In addition to support available to students across the University, many departments offer their own funding for students majoring in or pursuing research in their fields. 

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The Brawley Fund, named after Bucknell’s first African-American graduate, Edward McKnight Brawley, provides funds for student activities that promote learning outside of the classroom, such as research, internships and study-abroad opportunities. This fund also supports students who were underrepresented in these areas in the past. 

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The Bucknell Institute for Public Policy offers fellowship awards to enable students in the social sciences to have meaningful research experiences during the summer. Summer Research Student Fellowships include a $3,000 award to defray living expenses and fellows also qualify for on-campus housing at no charge.

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The Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Summer Environmental Internship supports students from across majors who conduct environmental research, primarily but not exclusively with a focus on West Branch of the Susquehanna River, with stipends of $4,000 and summer on-campus housing. 

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The Engineering EXCELerator program recognizes talented incoming engineering students who are interested in design, want to develop their skills in prototyping and fabrication, and want to get a head start in calculus and physics instruction. The five-week, on-campus program encourages applications from students who are admitted to the College of Engineering.

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The Bucknell STEM Scholars program recognizes talented prospective and current students who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The program encourages applications from all students — especially those from groups underrepresented in STEM fields, such as first-generation, low-income, multicultural and female students.

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The Bucknell Center for Sustainability & the Environment (BCSE) offers an array of opportunities for students to conduct paid undergraduate research on themes of sustainability, place studies, the environment and other related subjects. Opportunities are available to work on research projects independently and in collaboration with faculty and BCSE staff, as well as for internships and projects that earn course credit. Students are welcomed from across majors, from the arts and humanities to the sciences and engineering.

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The Humanities Center offers grants of up to $1,500 per project to support students who endeavor to engage in non-credit-bearing research projects in the Humanities.

Funds are available only for reimbursable project expenses and may not be requested as a stipend. Examples of projects include: travel to an academic conference; organizing a film series; travel to an archive, library, or museum; hosting an ethnic food night; engaging in a service-learning activity; or inviting a speaker to campus.

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Each year the College of Engineering holds an Engineering Student Research Symposium to showcase the work of our talented students in concert with an annual College of Engineering Celebration Dinner co-hosted by the Bucknell Engineering Alumni Association.

The annual Kalman Research Symposium is open to all Bucknell students (undergraduate and graduate levels) who wish to make a presentation on a completed or ongoing research project or Honors Thesis project. Presentations may be made in one of two venues: a poster session, in which the students present a graphic representation of their work or a short oral presentation.

The annual Susquehanna River Symposium includes a poster session where students may present work related to the river, its ecology, history, cultural heritage and related topics.

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Central Pennsylvania undergraduates from all disciplines are invited to submit abstracts for poster presentations at the Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium, which is sponsored jointly by the Geisinger Center for Health Research and Bloomsburg, Susquehanna and Bucknell Universities. It is an opportunity for students in central Pennsylvania to showcase their research activities, to learn about other methods and disciplines and to gain the experience of presenting at a professional conference.

The Annual Sustainability Symposium celebrates sustainability and environmental related research, teaching, creative works, practice and action where faculty, staff, students and community stakeholders from regional institutions share their completed and ongoing works, network for ongoing or new initiatives and are inspired by shared keynote activities.

This annual meeting showcases work from the natural sciences, physical sciences, social sciences and humanities exploring emerging themes such as climate change, energy, human rights, food and resilience.

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