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Research Matters
The Community-Based Learning Initiative (CBLI) connects students' academic work with their interest in and concern for the communities around the University. Working with local nonprofits, students develop research projects, collect and analyze data, and share their results and conclusions, not just with their professors, but also with organizations and agencies that can make use of the information. Working with CBLI, students can do community-based research in courses, as a summer research internship, and as part of their junior paper or senior thesis.
"I expected this position to allow me to do meaningful and interesting work and have a generally pleasant experience. I didn't expect to be so truly inspired by the work being done by the Trenton Health Team. This internship did more than appeal to my interests; it sparked passion."
Rachel Buckle '13, CBLI Summer Intern 2012
"I chose to do a CBLI project with HiTOPS because I wanted to conduct meaningful research to benefit my peers."
Storm Portner ’14
"Working at Hyacinth AIDS Foundation has been an eye-opening experience into the yawning gaps of the US healthcare system. The Hyacinth mantra of meeting the “client where they are at” has convinced me that effective health services are only those which are linked to recipients’ compelling interests, of their need for housing, employment, food, and above all, respect and dignity."
Matthew Vengalil, '14, CBLI Summer Intern 2012
Get Involved
From your first semester at Princeton, through your senior thesis, your academic research can provide practical benefits for community organizations. Meanwhile, by working with them you will learn about the context of social issues from experts in the field and from people who are living the experience.
Nonprofit Research Internships
Independent Community-Based Research (JP or Senior Thesis)