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Student Incubator FAQs

Who is eligible to participate in the BKC student incubator program?
All team members must be currently enrolled Harvard students. Student fellows, post-docs, and cross‑enrolled students from other institutions are not eligible.

How many people can be on my team?
You can have up to 4 members per team. Coordinating across multiple people can be challenging, especially in larger groups. As you scope your project, focus on what is realistically achievable within this semester and within your group’s capacity. Consider the required milestones and keep your project idea in mind and scope to what is realistically achievable this semester.

Why do you encourage teams to have students from at least two Harvard schools?
Since its founding, the Berkman Klein Center has believed that interdisciplinary
collaboration strengthens research and projects. Students from different schools bring
varied perspectives—different educational backgrounds, professional experiences, and
areas of expertise. This diversity of thought often leads to better solutions and more
innovative approaches to complex problems.

May I submit more than one application?
No. With limited funding, students may apply with only one incubator project per
Semester.

Do you have examples of how teams can utilize the funds?
Funds may be used towards but not limited to:

Research support (e.g., access to datasets, materials behind paywalls, research software)
Prototyping or Technical Development (e.g., cloud computing credits, API access, small scale hardware)
AI and ML Services (e.g., LLM API credits, machine learning platforms, AI tool subscriptions)
Design and Production (e.g., graphic design, video or animation production, printing)
Events, workshops, or convenings (e.g., travel for speakers and guests, space fees, food and beverages)
Impact testing or pilot deployment (e.g., running a small pilot, user testing, travel to conduct field work)
Communications and dissemination (e.g., website creation, final report production, accessibility services)

I'm not sure how to budget for my project. Can you help?
We recommend consulting with team members about realistic costs for your 1–3 month
phase. Download our budget template for guidance.

For general budget questions, email studentengagement@cyber.harvard.edu, though we
may have limited capacity to provide detailed feedback. Our budget template includes
tips and common expense categories to get you started.

How will funds be dispersed?
Funds are dispersed in two payments through Buy2Pay:

First payment (50%): Upon award to a team member with a US bank account.
Second payment (50%): After submitting a mid-project progress report.

IMPORTANT: The Berkman Klein Center cannot provide tax advice. Since tax implications
of funding vary by individual circumstances, we strongly recommend your team
consult with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor before deciding how to
allocate payments among team members.

May I apply if I am already receiving funding though grants or other funding sources?
Yes, but we ask that you disclose this in the question, “Is there anything else you’d like us to know about your project or team?"

Does my project have to align with BKC’s project research priorities?
Yes. These ideas must advance Berkman Klein Center's research priorities. Your project should align with one of the following areas. Your project may align with more than priority, but we ask that you select one research priority that best fits your project so that we may match your application with judges who may specialize in that area.

Can I use AI to develop my project?
You may use AI tools. However, you're fully responsible for verifying accuracy and catching any errors or hallucinations. In the application, briefly describe (1–2 sentences) how you used AI in your process.

When is the deadline?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through April 12, 2026 @ 11:59 PM ET.
This deadline ensures 1-month projects have time to be reviewed and launched before
the semester ends. Since funds are limited, we cannot predict when they'll run out; once exhausted, applications for this semester will close. We encourage early submission.

I had something come up last minute, may I submit my project proposal after the deadline?
Unfortunately, no. We cannot accept late submissions for any reason. If you experience technical issues on the day of the deadline, you may email your application responses and budget to studentengagement@cyber.harvard.edu. To be considered, your email must be received by April 12, 2026 @ 11:59 PM (ET).

What happens if my project is selected?

You'll work with the Berkman Klein Center to finalize logistics, including which team member will receive the first payment (50% of funds).
Mid-way through your project, you'll submit a brief progress report. The final 50% of funding is dispersed after we receive this report.
You'll have until May 31, 2026 to complete your project and submit a final progress report documenting outcomes, learnings, and any challenges.

I emailed a question and haven’t heard back. What should I expect?
Questions will be answered up until the Friday before the submission deadline. We are generally not able to respond to inquiries over the weekend, so please reach out early. The inbox is monitored by multiple staff members during business hours, and you can expect a reply as soon as possible within that window.