Research Projects
Learn about the Launch University Research Program, a mentored research program for talented students
Why perform research with us?
Create an independent research paper
With 1-1 mentorship from top university Ph.D. researchers. In the premium programs, you will be paired with a Publication Specialist to prepare for publications & competitions!
stand out in the admissions process
Building a research project is a worthwhile way for you to demonstrate your strengths, ambition, and intellectual curiosity. The skills you develop during your research will assist you in every stage of life – from applying to college to your next job.
Build relationships with PhD researchers from top universities
Creating a strong network of professional researchers early can give you an edge in the admissions process and increase access to better opportunities in the future.
Available Areas For Research
Beyond this list, students can also customize their own research topic to something that aligns more adequately with their research interest.
STEM
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Biology
- Neuroscience
- Medicine
- Chemistry
- Physics & Astrophysics
- Mathematics
- Architecture
Humanities and Social Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- Business
- International Relations
- Environment Studies
- Gender Studies
- History
- Philosophy
- Education
- Classics
- Law
- Linguistics
- Sociology
Some LAUNCH Mentor Specializations
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
PhD in Biological and Biomedical Science
SPECIALIZATION
Cancer Genetics, CRISPR Gene Editing, Molecular Biology
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
PhD in Clinical Psychology
SPECIALIZATION
Psycho-oncology, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
PhD in Economics
SPECIALIZATION
Labor Economics, Law and Economics, Applied Statistics
YALE UNIVERSITY
PhD in Physics
SPECIALIZATION
Cosmology (Evolution of the Universe), Exoplanet Data Analysis
MIT UNIVERSITY
PhD in International Affairs
SPECIALIZATION
Nuclear Proliferation, Preventive War, East Asian Security, Alliance Politics
Ready To Take The Next Step?
PROGRAM TIMELINE
* This is the timeline for our Individual and Premium Research programs. The Fellowship will have a distinct extended timeline.
Week 1
Meet with mentor and align on a topic
Week 2-4
Explore the topic and identify research question
Week 5-9
Write research paper with support from research mentor and writing coach
Week 10-12
Make final edits and submit paper for final evaluation
After week 12
Graduation ceremony and symposium! Students in the Premium Research and Publication Program will continue to meet with their mentor and submit their paper to a journal for publication
Opt to receive 3 units of post-baccalaureate credit from UCSD Extended Studies at the end of the program.
Past Publications and Competitions
Students who have worked with mentors from the Launch University Research Program have been published in top college-level journals and excelled at competitions. Here are some of their successes!
Ojas
"Exploring the role of humanin as a potential preventative and therapeutic in Alzheimer's disease” Winner of MIT THINK competition
Zunian
"Cap or No Cap? What Can Governments Do to Promote Electric Vehicle Sales”
Published in the Cornell Undergraduate Economic Review
Anna
"How the CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Complex Can Be Used to Treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Sickle Cell Disease with Immune Cell Therapies and Genetic Engineering with Insight Into its Societal Impacts”
Published in Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology, and Society
Salil
"To what extent have emerging social movements caused politicians to respond with effective social change?”
Winner of LSE Undergraduate Political Review's Annual Essay Competition
Justin
"What public political attitudes make countries
prone to democratic backsliding?”
Featured on the Brown Journal of World Affairs
podcast
Shaunak
"Using Neural Networks to Accurately predict Electrical energy within Point-Absorbers”
ISEF Regeneron national finalist; first place in
regional ISEF fair
Programs Offered
Individual sessions with mentor
Individual sessions with writing coach
Individual sessions with publication specialist
Program oversight from Launch University research program manager
Mentor type
Goal output
Duration
LAUNCH UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAM INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROGRAM
9
2
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✔
PhD fellow and post-doc
College-level academic paper
12 Weeks
LAUNCH UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAM PREMIUM RESEARCH & PUBLICATION PROGRAM
15
4
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✔
PhD fellow and post-doc
Publication in college-level journal*
3-4 months research time
1-4 months publication time
*No academically rigorous program can or should promise publication. LAUNCH provides support for 3 rounds of 9 submission to selective college-level journals.
Application Timeline
Application
Fill out an online application before the deadline
Interview
Shortlisted students will be scheduled for an interview
Mentor Match
Selected students will be matched with a mentor in their area of research interest
Start the program!
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Our approach reduces stress, fosters growth, and helps students present their most authentic selves, ensuring they stand out to admissions officers.
Contact us today to begin your journey toward college excellence.
FAQs
Will my research be published after I complete the program?
LAUNCH cannot promise to any student that their Foundations of Research/Individual Research Program work will be published. However, all programs include resources for students to explore if the student is motivated and interested in continuing to work on this topic and sharing with potential relevant research journals or conferences. Possible publications include undergraduate science journals, high school science journals, and conferences.
In addition to this, LAUNCH offers the Premium Research & Publication Program that is designed specifically to help scholars both write a research paper and to support them through the publishing process.
Do I receive a letter of recommendation from my research mentor?
All mentors will assign a grade to students’ research paper and write a short evaluation. In addition to this, many students will find that their research mentor has gained a unique perspective on them and their academic ability. It is entirely appropriate to ask your mentor for a letter of recommendation. However, just as with any academic mentor, they are not required to do so. They will likely assess your performance during the program when making the decision whether or not to write a letter.
Is research only available in the areas listed?
LAUNCH has mentors across every major academic discipline. If there is a community of researchers working on a topic, at least one (and usually many) of them is an active mentor. The list of academic topics is meant to be a sample and not an exhaustive list of possible research topics.
How are one-on-one sessions be scheduled?
The learning coordinator will initially connect you and your mentor together over email or another mutually agreed upon platform. LAUNCH then asks that you and the mentor coordinate directly to find a mutually agreeable time weekly for the following weeks. The research mentor will then send an invite to the student and include a personal Zoom link. If you face any issues, please contact the learning coordinator.
How is the research topic chosen? Do I need to know my topic in advance?
Students are not expected to begin with a clearly defined research question – though some do. Your research question will naturally evolve and sharpen as you learn and work with your mentor. Your mentor will act as a guide – not working on your research project for you – but, guiding you in the direction of the most fruitful work. Logistically, students are expected to have aligned on a research question by the end of week 4. This question will then be vetted and refined with your research mentor. From there, over the following four weeks, you will be expected to create a research proposal, a first draft of the research paper, and then a final draft at the end of week 8.
What if I want to change my research question late into the program?
Students may wish to change their topic late into the program. If this is the case, the research mentor and the student will assess the feasibility of addressing that area in the time remaining and to develop a plan to execute on it. If it is not possible, then either the research mentor and student should continue on the agreed-upon topic or an extension of the course may be required. In any case of confusion, contact the learning coordinator.