Research assistantships (RAs) support HST PhD students engaged in research under the supervision of Harvard or MIT faculty members. This includes labs located at many institutions affiliated with Harvard and with MIT. 

Looking for a research project? See these resources on Finding a Lab.

Questions about HST RA appointments? Ask laurie [at] mit.edu (Laurie Ward) in E25-518 at MIT.

RA Cost Sheet

RA Appointment Processing

RA appointments for MEMP PhD students are processed through MIT. A guarantee of payment – in the form of an MIT cost object, or off-campus billing agreement - is required. For non-MIT labs, this may take up to three months. As a result, students are advised to submit their RA application form as early as possible.

Billing information is provided on the RA application form by the RA supervisor or their designated billing contact.  Students are responsible for confirming that the information on the RA application form is accurate, especially the name and email of the Billing Contact Person.

Method of payment for off-campus RAs : Billing Agreement

As of June 1, 2025 the only method of payment for an off-campus Research Assistants is a Billing Agreement. More information may be found at https://ras.mit.edu/grant-and-contract-administration/setting-award/billing-agreements.

Billing agreements involve staff from multiple offices, at both institutions, and can require several months for processing. Student should submit RA funding forms as early as possible to facilitate this billing process.

HELPFUL LINKS