Faculty Research Support

The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning partners with the FAS Office for Research Administration (FORA) and other programs across the university to help Harvard faculty develop and communicate cutting-edge research. We provide hands-on coaching in grant writing, narrative building, visuals, and presentation strategies—making advanced research accessible and memorable for diverse audiences. This approach also fosters scholars’ professional development, equipping them with tools they can draw on throughout their careers.

The Bok Center supports the NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award program by helping applicants develop their education plans. Assistant Professors from all of the STEM fields that NSF supports are eligible to apply for five years of grant funding. CAREER proposals must include a robust five-year education plan, and the proposed research and educational activities should be well-integrated. The education component may be in a broad range of areas and may be directed to any level: K-12 students, undergraduates, graduate students, and/or the general public, but should be related to the proposed research and consistent with the career goals of the PI. 

The Star-Friedman Challenge for Promising Scientific Research offers opportunities for faculty across the life, physical, and social sciences to pursue bold new directions in their work. The Bok Center provides consultations on participants’ presentations—from narrative flow and storytelling to visuals and overall delivery—ensuring these cutting-edge ideas are conveyed with clarity and impact at the annual Challenge event.

The Aramont Fellowship Fund supports early-career faculty and postdoctoral researchers pursuing high-risk, high-reward projects. The Bok Center meets with each fellow to refine their presentations—covering communication strategies, delivery, and visuals—so they can effectively share advanced research with a lay audience at the annual Aramont Fellowship Symposium.