Summer Science Program (SSP) is a five-week residential research experience for current high-school juniors. Students select one research track and complete collaborative, real-world work with peers and scientists. The 2027 program lists astrophysics, bacterial genomics, biochemistry, and cell biology.
International students are eligible to apply and can request financial aid. SSP states that it provides aid covering 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students; aid may include round-trip airfare and other travel costs. Need is assessed individually, and aid applications are submitted after admission. International families are asked to provide English translations of financial documents. SSP also offers a limited number of $3,000 stipends to selected students who would otherwise need to work during the summer.
Applications for 2027 open in December 2026, with the international deadline anticipated in January 2027 and the domestic deadline in February 2027. Programs begin in mid-to-late June; exact deadlines, campus-specific dates, and locations are forthcoming. The published 2026 campuses included the United States and Canada, so a U.S. campus should not be assumed for every participant. The 2027 program fee will be published in December 2026. In 2026, the fee was $11,800 for tuition, room, board, supplies, and local transportation.
The applicant must be a current high-school junior, at least 15 and under 19 during the program, and have completed the chosen track's prerequisite courses for credit and a grade by June. Biochemistry requires high-school biology and chemistry plus strong algebra; bacterial genomics and cell biology require biology and Algebra II; astrophysics requires physics and precalculus (or calculus in place of physics if the school does not offer physics). Self-study does not qualify. International students must provide English-proficiency test scores. Check current track-specific details before applying.
Official sources: program overview, campus living, host campuses, 2027 application schedule, fees and financial aid, course prerequisites, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, cell biology, astrophysics.