A framework for understanding the world around us.
Founded as the nation’s first research university, Hopkins continues to lead with more research and development funding than any other institution in the United States. It shapes how we think and interact with the world, and can happen in a library, lab, studio, stream, outer space, or anywhere you’re pursuing the creation of new knowledge.
All undergraduate students have the opportunity to pursue research throughout their time at Hopkins, starting as early as their first year. They can work alongside our world-class faculty, partner with researchers throughout the Hopkins network, or seek out ways to pursue research of their own design.
Whether you’re working on a research project or learning in the classroom, being in a research-oriented environment helps you:
Ask thoughtful questions
Explore and connect ideas
Test your theories
Communicate your findings
#1Research and Development Funding in the U.S.
80%Undergraduates With at Least One Formal Research Experience
An important part of doing research is sharing your knowledge. Our students are publishing books, producing films, presenting at national conferences, and contributing to their fields of study.
Make Something Real
Our students have the opportunity to collaborate with classmates to develop new products, secure patents, and take their designs to market.
Solve Problems
Research teaches you how to ask thoughtful questions and use what you find to make an impact. Our students get involved in projects that have real-world implications and work to solve challenges big and small.
The Intersection of Creativity & Impact
Henry H., ’27
Public Health Studies & Economics
The Diplomacy of Music
While earning dual degrees in international studies and viola performance, Henry H., ’27 is researching his Woodrow Wilson Fellowship project: “Harmony in Diplomacy: The Effect of Western Musical Engagement on East Asian Soft Power Diplomacy.” Wilson Fellows receive up to $10,000 over three years for expenses including travel, equipment, and use of archives or laboratories.
Marie is graduating with a BS in molecular and cellular biology and a combined BA/MA in classics. Wei’s dual interest in the humanities and STEM began as a child in China and continued as a high school student in the U.S. She chose Johns Hopkins because it champions both research and double majors.
Student Researchers Play Key Role in Bridge Safety Assessment
After the Key Bridge collision in Baltimore, a team of Hopkins students has helped identify which major bridges might be next. They are responsible for a wide variety of crucial tasks, including analyzing dozens of bridges, writing programs to collect data from the Internet, and building a virtual portal to report the project’s findings.
Alexander C., ‘27 co-wrote the recently released Fighting to Belong, a graphic novel about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in the United States. It’s the first in a series of three graphic novels, and covers key AANHPI history from the 1700s to the 1800s.
Bella and her fellow researchers are studying a protein called LITAF, which helps the body respond to infections and inflammation. In people, LITAF seems to be linked to gut diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, but scientists still don’t fully understand its role. To learn more, researchers study fruit flies, which have a gene similar to the human LITAF gene. Specifically, Rowe’s research focuses on a particular mutant fly with changes in this gene to see how it reacts to gut inflammation.
Inspired by the colorful and often subversive murals he saw while visiting Cartagena, Colombia, in 2023, anthropology major Ben returned two years later, using street art as a lens to try to understand the vast economic, historic, and social differences between the touristy historic center and its much poorer urban periphery. A $5,000 Dean’s ASPIRE Grant—awarded to Krieger undergraduates pursuing original research—gave him time to get to know the artists.
Sandy, a senior majoring in sociology and Writing Seminars, used her $5,000 Dean’s ASPIRE Grant—awarded to Krieger School undergraduates pursuing original research—to create a digital library of Latino experiences at Johns Hopkins University.
After you declare your major, you’ll be assigned a faculty mentor—an expert in your department who will help you discover courses that fit your interests and opportunities to put your learning into practice.
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about doing research as an undergraduate.
Are there research opportunities for undergraduates?
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Yes. You can participate in research as early as your first year. For help finding opportunities, visit HOUR.
What majors can participate in research?
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All majors across the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering can participate in research.
What kind of time commitment is there for research?
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It depends on the project and the number of research credits you register for. Most students commit eight to ten hours a week to their research during the semester, but you can also do more full-time research during the summer and some study abroad experiences.
How do I find a research mentor?
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HOUR has guidance for approaching faculty members about research opportunities. We recommend you look around departmental websites and make a list of faculty members you’re interested in working with based on their research background. Then, reach out to them via email or schedule a meeting to see whether they have any availability in their project.
Can I do research while I am studying abroad?
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Yes. Many students participate in university-led or independent research projects abroad. This is an opportunity to pursue your interests through an international lens, immersing yourself in another culture while working to create new knowledge. For more information and eligibility requirements, visit the Global Education Office.
