Graduate School

Interdisciplinary Research

Brown is known for its emphasis on collaboration among people and across areas of study to address opportunities, challenges and areas of inquiry ripe for discovery and innovation. At Brown, we defy traditional boundaries between areas of study, and this philosophy is part of the PhD360 Experience.

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Interdisciplinary Research

Brown is known for its emphasis on collaboration among people and across areas of study to address opportunities, challenges and areas of inquiry ripe for discovery and innovation. At Brown, we defy traditional boundaries between areas of study, and this philosophy is part of the PhD360 Experience.

Navigate the Research Cycle

The Division of Research at Brown aims to make the research administration process less complex by supporting Brown students, faculty, investigators and research teams at every stage of research, from defining a new research idea to securing funding, complying with regulations, managing awards, publicizing advances and protecting intellectual property.

Division of Research

Graduate School Programs

The Graduate School promotes interconnected relationships in all aspects of discovery, teaching and problem solving, while adhering to the highest standards of excellence. Through a variety of programs and partnerships, the Graduate School encourages doctoral students to pursue collaborations that bring people together in truly creative and unexpected ways to identify and confront complex challenges.

Doctoral Certificates

Doctoral certificate programs are open to enrolled PhD students. These programs are designed to extend expertise into interdisciplinary areas and to certify training beyond the home Ph.D. discipline. They promise to advance student careers as well as promote intellectual exchange and community in these academic areas.

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

Brown offers interdisciplinary opportunities to support advanced graduate students in the humanities and social sciences. These opportunities provide an enhanced context for advanced doctoral students, allowing them to engage in the activities of interdisciplinary Centers and Institutes at Brown.

Open Graduate Education

The Open Graduate Education program allows select Brown doctoral students to pursue a master’s degree in a secondary field. All doctoral students are invited to propose their own combination of studies, free of any disciplinary barrier.

Campus Partner Programs

Many University departments, centers and institutes offer graduate student affiliations and fellowships, providing mutual benefit to students as well as the programs they serve. Students should reach out to their academic programs for more information about opportunities within their fields.

Annenberg Doctoral Student Affiliates

Brown doctoral students involved in research or teaching related to education are encouraged to apply for affiliation. Affiliates are featured on the Annenberg Institute website, included in communications efforts (including events and programming), and gain visibility for their work related to education research and practice.

GIS Institute and S4 Fellows Program

The GIS Institute is a partnership between Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences (S4), the Brown University Library, EarthLab and the Population Studies and Training Center. The GIS Institute allows participants to refine and/or develop spatial/geographic research questions with guidance and critical feedback from Brown faculty. Doctoral students who complete the institute become S4 Fellows.

IBES Graduate Affiliates

The Institute at Brown for Environment and Society (IBES) welcomes affiliation by graduate students from all disciplines whose research interests center on understanding environment and society.

ICERM Professional Development

Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) provides a number of training and mentorship opportunities for graduate students, including roundtable discussions, seminars and mentor matching.

Neuroscience-NIH Program

Students with interest in neuroscience research may apply to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Graduate Partnerships Program, which enables them to complete coursework and laboratory research onsite with the NIH. Students receive their Ph.D.s from Brown after satisfying program requirements and completing a significant body of original research.

Population Studies Predoctoral Training

The Population Studies and Training Center training program provides graduate students with mentoring from faculty, outstanding facilities and financial support for research, fieldwork and developmental activities.

Swearer Center Opportunities for Graduate Students

Graduate students in any academic program can apply for research and program administration fellowships; join learning communities or attend events to learn, reflect, and strategize with colleagues; mentor undergraduate students; and consult with Swearer Center staff about their interests.

Watson Institute Centers, Initiatives and Programs

The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs houses several region- or topic-focused centers, initiatives and projects that are dedicated to research, teaching and outreach. These entities also serve as conveners, sponsoring informative events that inspire dialogue among scholars, students and the public.

Explore More Centers and Institutes at Brown

Brown University is home to more than 50 centers, institutes and initiatives carrying out important research in the arts, humanities, social sciences and physical and life sciences. Visit their websites to learn more about what they do and to connect with faculty, staff and students.

Centers and Institutes

Additional Resources for Conducting Research at Brown

BorrowDirect

BorrowDirect is an interlibrary borrowing service offered by the university libraries of Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, and Yale.

Brown University Library

The Brown University Library provides materials, tools and services to support education and research at every level and stage.

Libraries and Collections

Brown’s network of libraries and collections fuels discovery and high-impact scholarship, serving as a dynamic physical, digital and intellectual hub for teaching, research and learning.

Library Guide for Graduate Students

Brown University Library’s guide for graduate students is a good starting point for new students looking to navigate library materials and services.

Library Help Page

Search the Brown University Library help page for commonly asked questions or ask a question of your own about how to find and borrow materials, access the archives and special collections or other topics.