# Undergraduate Summer Programs ## expand\_more ![Climate research in China](/sites/g/files/omnuum3496/files/2025-10/Climate%20Research%20in%20China.png) ## **CLIMATE AND AIR QUALITY IN CHINA & ASIA:** **Summer Undergrad Research Assistantships in China** **\*\*Please note: This program is taking a hiatus in Summer 2026. We expect to resume in Summer 2027**\*\* **Program Duration:** 8 weeks during Summer **Program Applications Due:** February 2027 **Admissions Decisions:** March 2027 **Number of Students:** 3-5 The Harvard-China Project on Energy, Economy and Environment will provide generous financial support for three to five Harvard undergraduates to participate in directed summer research **under the guidance of university professors in China**. #### RESEARCH PROJECTS & SUPPORT: In China, students will work under the mentorship of our university faculty collaborators. Exact universities are TBD, but last year we sent students to Tsinghua University and Nanjing University ([**read about their summer 2025 research projects**).](https://chinaproject.harvard.edu/summer-2025) Students may work on topics including energy system decarbonization, energy and climate economics, atmospheric transport and chemistry, environmental health, or other climate and environment topics. All research assistants can expect regular meetings with their faculty mentors. Virtual support by Harvard-China Project Executive Director [**Chris Nielsen**](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__us15.mailchimp.com_mctx_clicks-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fchinaproject.harvard.edu-252Fpeople-252Fchris-2Dp-2Dnielsen-26xid-3D125a8d8db7-26uid-3D70350877-26iid-3Dbb95b6a3a3-26pool-3Dcts-26v-3D2-26c-3D1674002214-26h-3De63a03de97ad6896a5e40040a69fbc614f96af9924a38aff4f70820e9d87113e&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=7RTg8Z6UnZwaWWImjic98P5ziI7-rnQHhkmGzZCsAGo&m=n80z2TBX8_f0zXTApGEHIzH25SS_B_TYoR66z_hLidX-YK_dXFFeC-hzsCYP4lHa&s=COk3G4aGwP-X_9WZLxJ335TBxWH89ps3M4vshx01Yc4&e=) will also be available if needed. #### FUNDING: Accepted students will receive round-trip airfare to and from China, accommodations, and a stipend more than sufficient to cover miscellaneous expenses such as meals and ground transportation. The coordination of payment will be facilitated by the [Mignone Center for Career Success](https://careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/) at Harvard, which is generously sponsoring this research program. Funding for this program is dependent on forthcoming summer funding policies from Harvard College, and subject to change based on final guidance. #### ELIGIBILITY: This program is open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors currently enrolled in Harvard College. All applicants **must** be enrolled for the semester following this summer program (the Fall semester). Students **must also be enrolled in the prior Spring semester** - if a student, on leave this spring semester, wishes to apply for an exception to be funded, they should be in touch with their Resident Dean to see if they can bring a petition to the Administrative Board. Students in Environmental Science and Public Policy (ESPP), Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), Environmental Science & Engineering (ESE) and other natural science and engineering concentrations are particularly encouraged to apply, but we welcome applications from all concentrations. #### OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Accepted students will be required to complete a number of pre-departure meetings, including with the Harvard International Office and Harvard-China Project staff. There will be a mandatory in-person or remote interview with Harvard-China Project staff of those making a short list, prior to final admissions decisions. #### QUESTIONS? Contact Kellie Nault, Communications Manager, at . ### About Our Past Programs #### **2025 Program** Read about our [summer 2025 student experiences](https://chinaproject.harvard.edu/summer-2025) working on decarbonizing the maritime shipping industry at Tsinghua University and exploring the environmental impact of data centers in China at Nanjing University. #### **2024 Program** Read about our [summer 2024 student experiences](https://chinaproject.harvard.edu/news/climate-research-goes-national) at Tsinghua University's Institute for Carbon Neutrality. #### **2023 Program** Explore the [summer research projects](/news/my-summer-abroad-hcp-resumes-undergrad-research-assistantships-three-chinese) of our five students chosen to return to China for in-person climate and air quality research. #### **2022 Program** Learn more about some of the [research projects](/news/undergraduate-research-assistantships) of seven students chosen for in-person "Decarbonization in China & Asia" Research Assistantships. #### **2021 Program** Learn more about some of the [research projects](/news/undergraduate-research-assistantships) of seven students chosen to participate in a virtual "Decarbonization in China & Asia" Research Assistantship. #### **2020 Program** This year's program was unfortunately cancelled by the global coronavirus pandemic. #### **2018 Program** Learn about the 2018 summer research program at Tsinghua University and Chinese University of Hong Kong in a [Harvard Gazette story](/summerprogram-2018), which featured students' perspectives on their experiences. #### **2017 Program** Learn about our [2017 summer program](/summerprogram2017), which sent thirty Harvard College undergraduate students to [Tsinghua University](http://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/publish/newthuen/index.html) for a two-week intensive summer program on China's environmental challenges. **Summer Research Assistantships:** [Summer Programs Home](/summerprograms)