Kempner Research in Artificial & Natural Intelligence for Undergraduates with Mentorship (KRANIUM)

Overview

The Kempner Research in Artificial & Natural Intelligence for Undergraduates with Mentorship (KRANIUM) is a 10-week summer program sponsored by the Kempner Institute as part of the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV). KRANIUM provides a formative and substantive research experience for — and build community among — a small cohort of Harvard College undergraduates interested in the study of intelligence.

KRANIUM runs from early June to mid-August. Fellows live in one of the Harvard College houses with other fellows in the Summer Undergraduate Research Village. As part of KRANIUM, fellows participate in rich programming, including both social and academic activities, and become members of a vibrant intellectual and social summer community.

Identify a Research Project

Prior to applying to KRANIUM, students must identify a project with a Kempner-affiliated faculty mentor. To learn more about potential research projects with Kempner-affiliated mentors, visit our Research Opportunity Bulletin Board or reach out to faculty members or affiliate faculty members directly.

Research Opportunity Bulletin Board

The KRANIUM Experience

KRANIUM fellows are expected to fully participate and contribute to the community of scholars through workshops and evening enrichment activities throughout the program term. KRANIUM consists of the following components:

• Research Experience: KRANIUM fellows undertake a substantive research project under the guidance of a Kempner-affiliated faculty member.
• Residential Life and Community: KRANIUM fellows live together in a Harvard College residential house, along with fellows in the other Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village programs.
• Dining: Essential dining services are available to KRANIUM fellows. Weekday evening meal service, sometimes in conjunction with evening activities, as well as a weekday breakfast cart, are available.
• Special Events and Academic Programming: Fellows attend KRANIUM-specific sessions designed to augment their knowledge around research in intelligence, including workshops on computational skills and conversations with faculty. KRANIUM fellows are encouraged to attend a Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village evening program series featuring prominent scientists in the Harvard community and the Boston area. Research Village-wide workshops on topics such as research ethics, poster presentations, and postgraduate career opportunities are offered throughout the program. In addition, Fellows have the opportunity to practice speaking about their research in both small and large groups throughout the summer.
• Recreational and Social Programs: KRANIUM Fellows are eligible to register for free use of Harvard athletic facilities, including the Malkin Athletic Center, Hemenway Gymnasium, and Blodgett Pool. A calendar of Research Village activities includes a range of opportunities to socialize and take advantage of Boston’s cultural and recreational summer offerings with your colleagues, including a variety of excursions and Fellow-initiated community events.

Benefits

KRANIUM offers a variety of benefits to ensure a successful summer research experience and enable fellows to form a close-knit community:

• A living stipend of $3,000 for the 10-week program
• Free lodging in designated Harvard housing
• A boarding/dining plan

Eligibility

• Any continuing Harvard College undergraduate student in good standing. Preference will be given to individuals who have not yet participated in a Summer Research Village Program (e.g.,PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, or SPUDS).
• Must be able to commit 10 weeks* to summer research on campus.
• Must have a research mentor who is a co-director, investigator, associate faculty member, affiliate faculty member, or experienced research fellow at the Kempner Institute.
• Pursuing research related to one or more of the following areas:
  • Foundations of intelligence, including mathematical and computational models of intelligence, cognitive theories of intelligence, and the neurobiological basis of intelligence.
  • Research and development of new AI or ML methodologies or models from an engineering perspective, as well as scientific studies focused on understanding deep learning. This includes the development of novel applications of artificial intelligence, covering areas such as LLMs, generative AI models, computational biology, and the analysis of high-dimensional neural and behavioral data.
• May accept funding for only one Harvard-funded summer experience, per the Harvard College Summer Funding Policy.
• Students may be funded for no more than three total terms by Kempner Institute undergraduate programs (KURE and KRANIUM), where a term is fall semester, spring semester, or summer.

*NOTE: Individuals taking summer school courses, preparing for the summer MCAT exam or other summer graduate school entrance exams, or engaging in full-time public service projects are not eligible to participate in KRANIUM.

Selection Criteria

Since the primary purpose of the Program is to build and foster a strong and diverse community of science scholars, a successful application will demonstrate the following:

1. A strong dedication to developing or furthering academic interest and excellence in research related to intelligence.
2. A documented and verified opportunity to participate in an active research experience with a Kempner-affiliated faculty member that fulfills a compelling and specific academic goal over the summer.
3. The ability and desire to participate actively and enthusiastically in a diverse residential community of scholars.
4. An academic record demonstrating success in coursework that develops theoretical knowledge and/or practical application of the study of natural and/or artificial intelligence.

Evaluation of the applicant will be based on how well and how effectively the components of the application define and address these qualities and requirements.

Application process

Applications typically open in early December with a mid-February deadline. Applications for summer 2025 are currently closed. Please check back for updates. To receive email updates about Kempner Institute undergraduate programs, please sign up for our undergraduate mailing list.

Questions?

Please email us at kempnereducation@harvard.edu with any questions about Kempner undergraduate research programs. To receive updates about Kempner undergraduate programs, sign up for our undergraduate mailing list.