Research & Scholarship

In This Section

Through research and scholarship at Holy Cross, dig deep into real-world problems and bring fresh ideas to pressing questions.

At Holy Cross, research isn’t just about exploring interests — it’s about applying your passions in ways that make a real difference.

Hands-On Experience

With programs like Weiss Summer Research, Research Associates, the Academic Conference and Scholarship in Action, students work side-by-side with faculty on complex, graduate-level projects — a rare opportunity for undergraduates. This hands-on experience means tackling questions that matter, developing critical skills, and often, seeing the results published in respected journals.

Through this journey, you’ll build invaluable skills: independence, resilience, technical know-how and the confidence to communicate your work at national conferences. By graduation, you’re not just prepared for grad school or new careers, but ready to bring that experience and insight into any field you choose.

The Weiss Summer Research Program

Our eight-week program throughout June and July enables students to dive deep into a passion project or work closely alongside a mentor on their own research. Beyond academics, the research provides valuable knowledge in planning and executing an extensive project, budgeting expenses, teamwork, and written and oral skills. These are all experiences valued by employers in any field and that can’t be matched in the classroom.

The program consists of one-on-one faculty mentorship, a weekly workshop, and a small but intense community of fellow student researchers. Students spend the duration of the program in residency on campus and receive a stipend to enable full focus on their research. Each fall, students report on the results of their work at the annual Weiss Summer Research Symposium.

Support for this program is made possible by the J.D. Power Center for Liberal Arts in the World, an initiative of the family foundation of J.D. Power '53, a pioneer in consumer research and information, whose support significantly expands experiential learning opportunities for Holy Cross students.
Weiss Summer Research Program
More About J.D. Power '53

The Research Associates Program

Supported by the J.D. Power Center for Liberal Arts in the World, The Research Associates Program provides faculty with funds to hire a student research assistant during the semester. Students work with faculty between 5-10 hours per week for the eleven-week duration of the program.
Email the J.D. Power Center with Questions

Scholarship in Action

Scholarship in Action (SIA) advances community-engaged research in Worcester through partnerships with faculty, students and community stakeholders. Building on long-term relationships in Worcester, faculty, student researchers and community stakeholders design meaningful research projects that center principles of equity, antiracism and shared knowledge production that engage wider audiences both locally and globally.
Scholarship in Action Program

Academic Conference

Academic Conference celebrates the great and varied work accomplished by students. Bringing the liberal arts to life, students present their work through performances, poster sessions, and presentations, showcasing a high level of independence, creativity, and intellectual discipline.

The conference also highlights the role professors play as mentors from their work in campus classrooms, art studios, and research labs to within the Worcester community, in study abroad locations, and on field sites.
Academic Conference

Office of the Science Coordinator

Through the Office of the Science Coordinator, Holy Cross offers students opportunities to perform faculty-directed research in various facets of biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer science, physics, or psychology. The Office of the Science Coordinator supports students seeking science research opportunities through the Weiss Summer Research Program as well as various on- and off-campus research positions.
Contact Office of the Science Coordinator

The Ignite Fund

At Holy Cross, we believe that a liberal arts degree prepares you to make a positive impact in the world. The Ignite Fund is Holy Cross’ way of saying, in the words of Ignatius, “Go, set the world on fire.” Holy Cross invites students to follow these words by providing funds to match student's questions and ideas to the world’s needs. Financial support is available for student-initiated entrepreneurial projects, student-initiated research projects and travel to present at research conferences.

More Resources for Current Students

Marshall Memorial Fund

Through a bequest of James J. Marshall, Jr, ’26 in memory of his parents, James J. Marshall and Ellen O'Connor Marshall, the College has established a fund to encourage the creative and intellectual involvement of students and faculty with the Worcester Community to enhance the quality of life in Worcester and build closer ties between the College and the community. Financial support is available on a competitive basis for service, research, and community-based learning projects that are of academic benefit to Holy Cross students and/or faculty and of benefit to the people of Worcester.

More Resources for Current Students