Columbia Undergraduate Business Scholars (CUBS) Program
The Columbia Undergraduate Business Scholars (CUBS) Program is a collaborative effort between the Office of of the Vice Dean of Research and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office. The program is designed to introduce select current Columbia and Barnard undergraduates to a career in business research by pairing them with faculty for whom they work for as research assistants. The program exposes the CUBS to research challenges tackled in a business school setting, teaches them basic research and data-analytics skills, and provides insight into careers in academia.
Who should apply?
This is a multi-disciplinary program, and candidates from all disciplines — including business, statistics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, the physical sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences — are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate is curious, organized, eager to learn, interested in learning more about a career in academia, and capable of independent work.
Research Projects
CUBS are paired with one of our esteemed faculty in Accounting; Decision, Risk, & Operations; Economics; Finance; Management; or Marketing. CUBS are paid to work up to 10 hours per week for their faculty mentor.
Learning and Community Building
CUBS will learn basic research methodology and develop stronger data analytics skills. The work may include literature reviews, data collection and cleaning, basic data analysis, and the use of statistical software and computer programming languages.
As part of their learning, CUBS participate in programming that promotes team building and academia as a career pathway. This includes cohort events, seminars on research, one-on-one support, and networking with current doctoral students.
Program Details
The program will run from September 9, 2024 to May 16, 2025. Students in the program are eligible to work through the winter break and spring break, if permitted by their faculty mentor.
Student Application Process
The application for the 2024-25 academic year is now closed. The application for the 2025-26 academic year will become available in late spring 2025.
Faculty Partners
Faculty and their research team, including doctoral students, post-docs, and research assistants, play a pivotal role in creating a positive research experience for the students, while advancing their projects. Business School faculty who are interested in participating in the program can submit a proposal by June 1st.