Please note that CURF advisors remain available and are continuing to advise our undergraduate students about research and all students and alumni considering fellowships. In light of COVID-19, advising is currently occurring remotely. To make appointments with CURF staff, please visit the contact page.
Per the current instructions from the Provost, undergraduates can participate in in-person research in labs and other indoor campus spaces this spring semester after the quiet period ends (currently February 1st). While these activities do not have to be credit-bearing or in fulfillment of degree requirements, undergraduate in-person research is subject to approval by the PI/lab head or other faculty supervisor and their department under applicable COVID density and PPE precautions and testing requirements as laid out in the University’s current research resumption plan. Access to labs will require participation in PennOpen Pass and strict adherence to safety protocols as outlined in the Student Campus Compact.
Hub@Penn is a tool to help Penn students find and connect with university support resources. Through Hub@Penn’s easy-to-use platform, you can find information about financial wellness, academic support, healthcare, career and fellowship applications, and much more.
The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
helps all Penn students deepen their academic experience through participating in research, applying for nationally competitive fellowships, or engaging intellectually within a cohort of scholars.
Undergraduate Research
Assist a faculty member or develop your own project, no matter your experience level or field of interest. Discover CURF's many options for securing research positions with faculty and grants to support your own research.
Nationally Competitive Fellowships
Take your leadership, academic, professional, and community engagement expertise even further with opportunities both in the U.S. and abroad. Fellowships are available from your first year through graduate school, and beyond.
Benjamin Franklin Scholars
Join a residential program of students from across all four undergraduate schools who share a passion for broad academic exploration. BFS Seminars are small, enabling close engagement with student peers as well as with faculty. Courses feature a diverse array of challenging topics which reward curiosity, stimulate research, and cultivate intellectual agility and independent thinking.
University Scholars
Connect with a community of intellectually-dynamic and research-curious students from across all four undergraduate schools. The UScholars program promotes long-term, in-depth, original, independent undergraduate research (defined broadly) while facilitating innovation, conversation, and collaboration among faculty and students across academic disciplines.
Presidential Prizes
Create tomorrow's solutions to today's challenges through civic engagement and innovation.
CURF's Mission:
The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) supports all students as they pursue transformative experiences through fellowships, scholars programs, and undergraduate research. CURF promotes connections between faculty and students, encourages mentorship, and educates the Penn community about opportunities for all students and alumni.