Summer Science Program (SSP)

The Summer Science Program is a nationally regarded, non-profit educational program which focuses on bringing together diverse and incredibly talented rising high school seniors and advanced rising juniors (who apply during winter of junior and sophomore years) from around the globe for real-world STEM research experiences. We provide financial aid and meet 100% of participant need, including travel costs, room and board, and stipends to cover program basics for high-need students. SSP is generally free for families with incomes under $70,000 and discounted on a sliding scale for incomes under $130,000.

Program alumni become part of a very close network, including a direct mentorship program, alumni committees, and networking and social events.

During the program, participants live and dine on campus at colleges and universities across the country, where 36 participants per program are overseen by a team of faculty, including 2-3 PhD-holding teaching faculty who instruct, dine with, and form community with participants. Our current research projects are in the areas of Astrophysics, Biochemistry, and Genomics.

Since 2017, SSP participants have included over 200 first generation and/or low-income students who have gone on to attend some of the nation’s best colleges, with at least 60% of these first generation or low-income students attending schools recognized in U.S. News’ Top 20 National Universities (45% among the Top 5). In 2023, about 40% of all SSP participants identified with one or more underrepresented identities (first-generation, underrepresented minority, low income, or rural). SSP alumni of all backgrounds have enjoyed distinguished careers as scientific researchers, company founders, judges, academic faculty, economists, and a large variety of professions.