The cornerstone of the educational experience we offer is students working side-by-side with faculty who want to help you test ideas—not just talk or read about them. These are not experiences you have to wait until graduate school to pursue. It's a core part of what we do.
There are two types of research opportunities at F&M: research led by faculty and research led by students.
Faculty-Led Student Research
Our faculty are engaged, accomplished scholars who conduct groundbreaking work in their fields of expertise. They not only bring their vast wells of knowledge and passion to the classroom every day, but they also offer remarkable opportunities for students to join their research projects.
These research opportunities may take place throughout the academic year or as part of our Summer Research Scholars program.
Summer Research Scholars
A centerpiece of faculty and student joint research at F&M is the Summer Research Scholars program, funded in part by an endowment created by an alumnus, William Hackman of the Class of 1939, and his wife, Lucille. The program involves 80 to 100 students working side-by-side each summer with more than 50 faculty members across campus in innovative projects that span the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and the arts.
The 5- to 10-week period of intense research allows for focused attention on a problem and sometimes results in co-authorship of a publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Some students have had as many as six co-authored publications from their F&M research.
How You Can Get Involved
Whether it's for a project during the academic year or part of our Summer Research Scholars program, faculty will apply for funding and select students to join their work. Selected students may be paid a stipend based on their weeks of work.
If you're interested in completing research with your professor, don't hesitate to reach out to them and see if they have a project you can join!
Student-Led Research
Course Research
Our faculty don't just teach out of a textbook—many weave research into their coursework, allowing students to dive into practice and enjoy hands-on experience in and out of the classroom.
Independent Studies
Do you have a theory you can't wait to test out? Or a burning question you need to investigate? Or maybe you want to write a novel, produce a play, or compose a piece of music. You can for academic credit!
Student projects are typically completed in your junior or senior year with a faculty mentor. If interested, talk with your adviser to discover how to get started. If your project is approved, you can apply for grants to help fund your research or project.
If you're engaging in faculty-led research, the faculty member you're working with has already applied for and received funding.
Embarking on your own research project?
Already have your funding?
If your research involves human subject or vertebrate animal research, you will need to submit an application to be approved to continue.
Research at F&M takes students far beyond the classroom. From fieldwork to civic engagement in Lancaster, see the unlimited research opportunities at F&M.
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