The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is a nonprofit research mentorship program for high school students in grades 9–12. Based in Fremont, California, ASDRP offers hands-on research experience across chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biological sciences, computer science, engineering, biomedical research, and astrophysics. No prior research experience is required.
Students work with mentors on original research projects, typically in evenings and on weekends during the school year, or full-time during the summer. Students local to the Bay Area attend in person; those elsewhere may participate remotely. ASDRP receives applications from students across the Bay Area, California, and other US states.
The program fee is $1,070 for a school-year cycle. Partial and full scholarships are available for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Applications are accepted for Fall (due August 30), Spring (due December 30), and Summer cycles — see asdrp.org for current openings and scholarship information.