Opportunities for BU Graduate Students
Are you a graduate student with BU Arts & Sciences studying social science? Take a look at our opportunities to enhance your studies and research as you pursue your postgraduate degree.
Check back here for our full roster of opportunities open to graduate students.
Crisis Support
Students in need of support can contact:
- Crisis Counseling (930 Commonwealth Avenue, 617-353-7277)
- Behavioral Medicine (881 Commonwealth Avenue, 617-353-3569,
- University Chaplains Office (Marsh Chapel, 617-358-3394)
- Dean of Students Office (George Sherman Union, 617-353-4126)
- CAS students may also reach out to CAS Academic Advising (100 Bay State Rd, Room 401, 617-353-2400)
Free Mental Health Screening
The Chief Health Office, in collaboration with Student Health Services and Employee Wellness, invite students, staff, and faculty to take a free, on-line, mental health screening. This depression and anxiety screening takes just two minutes to complete. We encourage you to take the anonymous online screening that shares feedback and resources. Take the online screening.
Boston University’s Dissertation Finishing/Completion Fellowships Video Click above to view the BUCH, BU Society of Fellows, and CISS Dissertation Finishing/Completion Fellowship video to learn more about each program’s fellowship program, expectations and application process to determine which might best fit your project. Any questions can be forwarded to the administrators from each program. Kurt Cavender, BUCH Managing Director Shannon Landis, CISS Administator Nico Quesada, Society of Fellows Program Associate, BU Arts and Sciences Society of Fellows & Graduate Professional DevelopmentDissertation Completion Fellowships
Posted 09/03/2026 NEW Postdoc, Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease (MCCFAD) The Research Center for Group Dynamics at the University of Michigan-Institute for Social Research has one full-time post-doctoral fellow opportunity which we seek to fill. This post-doctoral position is geared toward the topic of social and behavioral aspects related to racial/ethnic health disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), and will be supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). This post-doctoral position offers exceptional opportunities for collaboration at the Institute for Social Research. The term of appointment will be for one year, with possible renewal for a second-year contingent on continued funding from NIH. This position provides health insurance and stipends to support living expenses. The stipend awarded will be commensurate with experience, based on levels mandated by NIH. For these NIH supported fellowships, we are interested in reviewing applications from a pool of highly talented social scientists from different backgrounds and disciplines. Information about Postdoctoral Research Fellows at University of Michigan can be found here: https://myumi.ch/XnP8r Location: Work will be in person onsite in Ann Arbor full time. After three months, a possible hybrid arrangement can be discussed. Qualifications: PhD in sociology, psychology, public health or a relevant discipline at the time of appointment. Experience conducting multivariate analysis, experience with IRB including preparation of IRB application and ensuring project compliance with all IRB guidance. Demonstrated ability to work in a highly-collaborative team. Application Instructions: Candidates interested in this position as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow should submit a cover letter describing their research interests and qualifications as well as a CV.Job Opportunities
Life Science Job Opportunities
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Pew Research Center
Washington, Dist. Columbia, United States
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv, Israel
Nuffield College, University of Oxford
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Cornell Population Center
Ithaca, New York, United States
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
Graduate Enrollment recently announced the Double Terrier Scholarship, a guaranteed 25% tuition scholarship open to all past and future BU bachelor’s degree graduates who enroll in an eligible master’s program beginning in Summer 2026. As part of a larger effort to retain top talent and support lifelong learning, the Double Terrier Scholarship seeks to encourage undergraduates and alumni to continue their education at BU and to strengthen graduate enrollment across eligible master’s programs. While communication has gone directly to current seniors, faculty and staff are encouraged to review the FAQ and eligible programs to understand what pathways might be available to current undergraduates as they think about their next steps post-graduation. To learn more about the Double Terrier Scholarship, visit the Graduate Education website.BU Double Terrier Scholarship
PhD Progression is an online training program that offers individual badges to support your career and professional development. PhD Progression is for all graduate students (master’s and doctoral). Featured Pathway: Research Skills Research skills are central elements of your graduate journey. Whether you want to pursue an academic or non-academic career, you must know how to follow the basic principles of research methods within your discipline, which may include finding, organizing, evaluating, synthesizing relevant information. You may also need to understand how to find funding. Activities and topics in the Research Skills pathway include: identifying relevant resources such as finding fundings; defining the scope of your research question(s); exploring different types of research frameworks; and ethics and research integrity.Other Supports
Urban Mobility & Infrastructure Learning Community We’re excited to share a new learning community held at the Initiative on Cities for all Boston University graduate students on urban mobility and infrastructure. Mobility is not a transportation problem. It is a public health problem, a housing problem, a climate problem, and an equity problem. Yet the people working on each of those pieces rarely sit in the same room: this learning community changes that. A small, cross-disciplinary cohort of BU graduate students, convened by Lecturer of Law and City Planning & Urban Affairs and former senior transportation official Rob DiAdamo, will come together to dig into the real challenges facing urban mobility — not from one silo or discipline, but from all of them at once. Hear, connect, and learn from practitioners actively shaping policy and delivery in Massachusetts and beyond, including leaders from MassDOT, MBTA, MIT, Harvard Kennedy School, and advocates across transportation, housing, and environmental sectors. 🗓️ Extend3ed Application Deadline: We’re looking for 10-15 BU graduate students, and applications are due by September 20, 2026. Posted: 09/14/2026 Do you have a project that could use extra funding to reach its full potential? BU Crowdfunding is here to help you make it happen! NEW BU Crowdfunding (09/25) We are excited to announce that we are now accepting project submissions for the Late Fall BU Crowdfunding cycle. This is your opportunity to bring your innovative ideas, service trips, events, or other BU-specific ventures to life with the support of the Boston University community. Why BU Crowdfunding? Receive every dollar you raise without worrying about processing fees. Our dedicated team will guide you through setting up and launching your campaign. Fundraise with confidence on the official university crowdfunding platform. Important Note: While our team provides valuable resources and guidance, the success of your campaign ultimately depends on your efforts. As the project leader, you will be responsible for actively leading and managing your fundraising campaign. Our role is to empower you with the tools and support you need, but it will be up to you to rally your network and drive the fundraising efforts. Eligibility Requirements: 🗓️ Info Sessions: Need more info? Come to one of our Zoom information sessions! 🗓️ Late Fall Deadline: Applications for the Late Fall Cycle (Nov. 3 – Dec. 2) must be submitted by Friday, September 25 by 11:59 pm. Posted: 09/10/2026 Laura Bassi Scholarship (11/15) The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed, within their disciplines. The scholarships are open to every discipline and are awarded three times per year: December, April, and August. The value of the scholarship is remitted solely through editorial assistance as follows: 💲Funding Information: Master’s candidates: $750 These figures reflect the upper bracket of costs of editorial assistance for master’s theses, doctoral dissertations, and academic journal articles, respectively. All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. There are no institutional, departmental, or national restrictions. 🗓️ Application Deadline: November 15, 2026. Posted: 09/01/2026 2027 Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy Awards (12/01) The Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy is pleased to announce that applications for its 2027 awards cycle are now being accepted. The Foundation will award twenty grants of $10,000 each to outstanding doctoral students conducting research in the social sciences. In addition, the Foundation will present two special awards: the Trustees’ Award for the most innovative project, which includes an additional $3,000, and the Irving Louis Horowitz Award for the most outstanding project, which includes an additional $5,000. 🗓️ Application deadline: All eligible applications must be submitted by December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Award recipients will be announced in June 2027. Posted: 07/07/2026Fall 2026 Opportunities
Doctoral candidates: $2,500
Humanities and Artificial Intelligence Lab (HAIL) What is HAIL? The Humanities and Artificial Intelligence Lab (HAIL) is an interdisciplinary, student-centered working group that brings together BU undergraduate and graduate students to explore social, political and ethical questions raised by AI. HAIL places an emphasis on examining the sometimes overlooked value-laden considerations that researchers and practitioners use to guide their work, and by asking how these considerations shape which normative questions are treated as salient, and which are sidelined, within and between the humanities and technically oriented fields. In this way, the lab aims to create a space in which different methodologies and background assumptions can be brought into conversation without imposing a single framework from which to ask the questions raised by AI. If you have any questions, please read this FAQ or send us an email at buhail@bu.edu Spring 2026 is our first semester, with twelve participating students from disciplines including Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Data Science. We will focus on ethical, social, and political questions raised by AI, drawing on AI-related initiatives already taking place at Boston University. The group will reflect on how the humanities are understood and woven into AI research, teaching, and governance at BU, and on the moments when this engagement takes place. The semester will culminate in a deliverable, written by the students, that articulates what BU’s priorities with respect to incorporating humanistic perspectives into their approach to AI ought to be. 🗓️ Meetings: In the Spring 2026, we will meet on Mondays at 4 pm. International Association for the Study of German Politics Project Fund 💰Funding Information: Up to £2,000 GBP (~$2,600) 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Proposals should be submitted to the IASGP co-ordinator (intasgp@gmail.com) and a decision will be made within 4 weeks If you have reviewed the Crowdfunding Policyand believe BU Crowdfunding is right for your project, please submit an application below. The Application Details section provides an outline of what is needed to submit a project. Need more info before applying? Review the posts in our application phase categoryfor helpful resources before submitting a project. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program The mission of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program is to provide equitable and meaningful temporary workplace-based learning experiences guided by staff mentors across a broad range of museum career fields to support the academic and professional goals of future museum leaders and advocates. Internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture offer undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates and career changers opportunities to work closely with professionals and scholars in the museum field. The museum provides a dynamic learning environment and access to supportive mentors that help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Interns can gain practical museum skills and program development experience in a variety of traditional and non-traditional museum careers. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Internships are available as full-time (30-40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or less) positions from 10 to 13 weeks throughout the year with the possibility for an extension. Start dates and duration may be flexible and arranged with approval from the mentor. Barcelona Four Seasons School of DemographyRegistration is now open for the 2024 programme of courses offered by the Barcelona Four Seasons School of Demography (Bcn4Seasons School). This new series of intensive academic courses launched by the Centre d’Estudis Demogràfics (CED – Centre for Demographic Studies) covers a range of sociodemographic subjects and related techniques that are applicable to social sciences in general. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Varies Future of Learning: AI Grant (FLAG) newly launched initiative will fund small, low-cost, AI-focused projects up to $5,000. Open to Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows, FLAG funding is designed to serve as a springboard for the exploration, design, and implementation of new or improved pedagogical approaches using generative AI in courses and educational programs that support learning for BU students. Learn about this funding opportunity and start experimenting! FLAG Initiative proposals are accepted monthly and reviewed by the leads of the three DL&I units – Center for Teaching & Learning; Education Technology group; and the Shipley Center. Expected response time for submissions is two weeks. This grant will follow the same schedule as our ACT grants. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly Accelerating Classroom Transformation (ACT) Grants The ACT Initiative invites Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows to experiment with learning technologies to improve the BU student experience. Intended to fund small, low-cost, technology-enabled projects, ACT Grants serve as a springboard for the exploration, design, and implementation of new or improved pedagogical approaches in courses and educational programs that support learning for BU students. Individual Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows may apply for an ACT Grant. 💰Funding Information: up to $5000 may be used for technology licenses, hourly wages for students to assist with the implementation or assessment of the project, or other associated costs. ACT funds will be distributed to your BU department for management. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly Rewriting the Code (RTC) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to disrupting gender and racial inequity in tech. By connecting, equipping, and empowering undergraduate, graduate, and early-career women in tech, RTC is unapologetically making space for women to enter and thrive in the tech industry. The community is virtual and operates through Slack and regional in-person events. Membership is free, as are all of the amazing resources and opportunities RTC provides.Sign up todayto take advantage of this women-focused network with over 18,000 members across 110+ countries, prioritized career opportunities with 50+ tech companies, and, most importantly, the sense of pride, representation, and belonging. Questions: Contact info@rewritingthecode.org Minority Access’ National Diversity & Inclusion Internship Program (Paid) The Minority Access National Internship Program is designed to allow talented undergraduate and graduate students experience the diversity and scope of career opportunities available in the federal, state and local government and participating private business entities. The program allows students to merge academic theory with the experience they are learning in the workplace. Minority Access interns receive pre-employment training, financial management and professional development, and recognition for fulfilling the program’s requirements. Funding Information: $15.50 – $19.50 hr. 🗓️ Application Deadline: December, March & July 1st. Boston Public Schools is accepting applications for classroom teaching positions in the district for Fall 2023. Pathways exist for provisional licensing and/or alternative certification.Interested candidates can fill out the quick apply form and someone will follow up. For more information, check out their Flyer or visit the BPS website. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socio economic development, and public health. Their goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and resilient societies. They are seeking a full-time, doctoral-level Research Analyst to support ongoing studies of cognitive aging and dementia in South Africa. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and writing sample to the HCPDS at popcenter@hsph.harvard.edu. For more information, visit Harvard’s Center for Population and Development Studies. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Preservation Society of Newport County Summer Internship An internship at the Preservation Society combines practical experience, collaboration with our professional staff, and exposure to various aspects of general non-profit operations. Interns will gain valuable skill sets, learn about workplace interactions, and gain further insight into their professional interests. Open to current undergraduate juniors and seniors, current graduate students, or recent graduates (within one year) from a bachelor’s or master’s level program. Applications are reviewed and decisions made on a rolling, first-come, first-considered basis. Applications and resumes are accepted year round, even if a specified position is not available or advertised. Visit the Preservation Society website for more information. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling WCM Behavioral Geriatrics Postdoctoral Training Program This 2-year Postdoctoral Training Program in Behavioral Geriatrics develops independent investigators capable of conducting patient-oriented research to improve the quality of life and quality of care of older adults. Applicants must be an MD and/or Ph.D. recent graduate or anticipate having their degree by September 1, 2023, in a relevant field. Applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2023-2024 cohort that would start on September 1, 2023. Candidates will be selected on a rolling basis. Visit the WCM Behavior Geriatrics website for more information. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling BUCH: Off-Cycle Request for Faculty Project Awards. The Center accepts applications on a rolling basis for events taking place in the current academic year. Please note that because the Center’s budget is set one year in advance, most available funds have already been allocated for the current year and off-cycle awards are necessarily small. For the current year, the limit is $500, except under unusual circumstances. Learn more at the BUCH website! 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling BUCH Publication Production Cost Award for Faculty in the Humanities. Faculty may apply for funds to support production costs after a peer-reviewed publication with direct relevance to the humanities has been accepted for publication but before it has gone to press. The Center is unable to reimburse expenses that have already been paid out. You must apply well in advance of your book’s publication so that the Center can be mentioned as a sponsor in your book’s acknowledgments. If you receive an award, please be prepared to send a digital photograph of your book jacket and a link to your publisher’s website where your book is advertised. We will use these materials on our website or in our annual report and to help with publicity. The Center accepts applications for these awards throughout the year on a rolling basis. To learn more, visit the BUCH website. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Faculty Library Acquisition Awards. The Center manages several endowments that provide funds for library acquisitions, such as the complete run of a journal or a database of otherwise inaccessible material. These funds are meant to supplement, not replace, the normal library purchasing fund, and may be used to build the collection in one of the University’s recently inaugurated areas of study. Proposals should specify the importance of items proposed for purchase to a community of users; these funds are not intended to purchase materials of interest to only one faculty member. The Center accepts applications for these awards throughout the year on a rolling basis. Applications for library acquisitions should involve both a faculty member and a librarian. Where a faculty member initiates the request, they should consult with the collection development librarian in their area. Learn more on the BU Library website! 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Global Economic Governance Initiative Opportunities. The Global Development Policy (GDP) Center at Boston University is seeking support for the the Global Economic Governance Initiative (GEGI) program. Learn more about this opportunity at Global Economic Governance Initiative. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Institute on Culture, Religion, & World Affairs (CURA). Travel grants of up to $500 are provided to Boston University students who wish to travel outside of Boston for a conference or to conduct research on a subject related to CURA’s mission. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.To Apply: Send an explanation of the purpose of the travel, along with a budget for the trip, your current CV, and an email from a professor approving the plans to Assistant Director Arlene Brennan. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling The Jewish Cultural Endowment (JCE) supports Jewish cultural programs across the University, sponsoring lectures, conferences, literary events, curricular enhancement, and artistic performances and exhibitions. Its mission is to foster an appreciation of Jewish culture in all its richness and diversity. The JCE invites grant proposals from individuals (faculty, students, and staff) with access to a BU program administration that will be responsible for planning, promoting and executing the event. JCE funded events must take place on the BU campus and should directly benefit the BU community. 🗓️ Submission Deadlines: each year in February, May, and October.Rolling Deadlines
Spring 2026
Purpose:To support research in German politics. The funding may be used for workshops, seminars, public-facing events, or individual fieldwork in Germany.
Student Organizations
The BU Graduate Student Organization sponsors social activities and other events that are open to all graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Anthropology
Anthropology in the Works is a student-run group that is an inclusive, collaborative, creative space for students to explore anthropology and is open to any student interested in learning more about the discipline. We work to increase the understanding and appreciation of anthropology and to dispel claims that it is not “real” science. We are dedicated to learning more about the traditions and customs of different cultures by hosting and participating in events around campus and across the Boston area. Anthropology in the Works connects undergraduate students with faculty and graduate students and contributes to the community within the Anthropology Department. We do this through planning excursions, discussions, presentations, and celebrations attended by various members of the community. For more information, contact the Executive Board at aitw@bu.edu.
Economics
Graduate Economics Association (GEA) assists students in the Economics graduate program and provides peer resources on a variety of topics. The GEA can be contacted at mailgea@bu.edu.
BU Women in Economics (WEorg) is a graduate student-led organization dedicated to the advancement of women in all stages of research in economics. Contact WEorg at weorg@bu.edu.
History
History Graduate Student Organization (HGSO)hosts social events as well as academic and professional programs for all current graduate students in the History Department.
Politcal Science
The Graduate Student Speaker Series is organized by a few of our graduate students to bring in a variety of speakers from across subfields.
Other
Alianza Latina is Boston University’s largest Latinx student organization dedicated to providing programming that fosters community and encourages students to learn more about Latinx culture and identity, regardless of their own race or ethnicity. We implement weekly cultural, social, and professional meetings as well as community service events on and off campus. For more information, email them at alianzal@bu.edu.
Alpha Phi Omega is the gender-inclusive community service fraternity at Boston University. They aim to establish a space for our members to build a diverse community right here on campus and with the city of Boston. APO partners with numerous community partners, such as the American Red Cross Food Pantry, Women’s Lunch Place, and the Boston Bruins Foundation, to help support this city we call home. There’s definitely an opportunity to get involved with any issue or social justice area you’re passionate about.