In the face of government funding cuts for research and internships, Bryn Mawr College has expanded support for student opportunities this summer. There is increased funding across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, as well as enhanced compensation for faculty mentors.
Nearly 80 students are participating in the Summer Science Research program this year, up from previous years thanks to an additional $70,000 in funding. Eleven students in the humanities and social sciences are receiving summer research stipends through a new $50,000 investment designed to deepen opportunities in disciplines where paid research positions have historically been limited.
Faculty mentors—whose support is essential to student research—are now being compensated as well. Each faculty member guiding full-time summer research experiences receives $5,000, acknowledging the time and energy required to provide close, high-impact mentorship.
Internship funding has also received a boost. Students pursuing unpaid or underpaid internships now receive $4,500 each—up from $4,000 last year. This increase represents a $40,000 overall investment in helping students access meaningful summer work without sacrificing financial security.
All told, about 220 students are receiving some form of summer funding through the College, with additional students working in paid roles on campus.
“Summer is a vital period for student development,” says Dean Katie Krimmel, head of the Career & Civic Engagement Center. “Whether students are conducting original or faculty-led research, exploring careers through internships, or working on campus, these experiences build the skills, confidence, and connections that shape their futures. We want to ensure those opportunities are accessible to all students, regardless of financial need or academic discipline.”
The College is spending more than $1 million this summer to support these efforts. The increase in summer funding is part of Bryn Mawr’s broader commitment to equity and experiential learning, providing students with opportunities to engage deeply with their academic interests and career goals beyond the classroom.