#  FUEL Program 

 



 ##  

  expand\_more  

 
  

 

CCB’s Foundational Undergraduate Experiences in the Laboratory (FUEL) program immerses pre‑concentrator undergraduates in an intensive research environment. Designed as a bridge into future research endeavors at Harvard, FUEL gives students structured, hands‑on experience in both laboratory work and the research process, complemented by professional development workshops.

Participants select research area modules and receive training in core experimental techniques relevant to chemical and biotechnological research. They also gain practical experience with widely used scientific tools, including Adobe Illustrator for figure preparation; mNova for NMR data analysis; ChemDraw; Web of Science; SciFinder; the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC); Mercury for 3D molecular visualization; and Origin for data analysis and plotting. A signature element of the program is the Lab Match Challenge, which connects students with Harvard faculty and research groups, helping them build networks that can lead to ongoing research positions. The program culminates in a capstone poster project presented at a closing event in early August.

FUEL is an affiliate program of the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV) and provides participants with a stipend, on‑campus housing, and meals. Students take part in Village‑wide events that foster a vibrant, collaborative community of summer researchers. All FUEL students have previously completed the Harvard College first‑year seminar “Learning to Think Like a Scientist – An Introduction to Scientific Research,” which lays the groundwork for their summer experience. Through FUEL, CCB nurtures scientific curiosity and helps prepare the next generation of researchers for success in the laboratory and beyond.

  
Read about FUEL in the [Harvard Gazette](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/newsplus/inaugural-fuel-program-paves-path-for-future-scientists/) and on the [CCB news page](https://www.chemistry.harvard.edu/news/ccb-celebrates-inaugural-foundational-undergraduate-experiences-laboratory-program).

 ![img_6770jpg.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/chemistry/files/img_6770jpg.jpg)