The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a 39-day immersive experience in experimental science, where 36 high school juniors work in teams of three alongside seven faculty members to complete a hands-on research project in Astrophysics, Biochemistry, or Genomics. Hosted at prestigious universities, SSP fosters a collaborative "living and learning" community, providing participants with real research experience and connecting them to a global network of 2,500+ alumni.
Open to high school juniors worldwide, with a holistic, need-blind admission process. Applicants must excel in challenging STEM courses and demonstrate motivation to overcome obstacles.
Length of the Program:
39 days.
Location:
Hosted at universities including New Mexico Tech, University of Colorado, Purdue University, Indiana University, and affiliates like Harvey Mudd College, Caltech, and MIT.
Cost:
Program fee is $8,800, but financial aid is available to meet 100% of demonstrated need, including travel expenses. Fees are scaled based on family income:
Under $75,000: Fully discounted fee (program is free) plus travel support.
Under $140,000: Likely qualifies for a partially discounted fee.
Over $140,000: May qualify for a partially discounted fee based on circumstances. A limited number of $3,000 “lost wages” stipends are available for students needing to work during the summer.
Deadlines:
Visit SummerScience.org for application deadlines.