The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a summer science and engineering program run by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2027 it expands to Stanford University for a further 50 scholars.
Students take a week of STEM classes with professors, spend five weeks on a mentored research project, then give written and oral conference-style reports in the final week.
Benefits & funding
- Cost-free: educational, housing and dining expenses are covered.
- Six weeks of mentored research, with access to MIT and Stanford computing resources.
- The pages do not say whether travel to the program is covered.
Eligibility
- High school students with one year left before graduation, usually applying mid-junior year (grade 11); seniors cannot apply.
- Must be 16 by 1 July of the program year.
- US route: US citizens and permanent residents, including US citizens studying abroad.
- International route: students from participating countries, which depend on the sponsors working with CEE; each country runs its own selection, so ask RSI whether yours takes part.
- Recommended scores: PSAT Math 740+ and Reading and Writing 700+ (or ACT Math 33+, verbal 34+), not a hard cut-off.
Application process
- 1US applicants apply online directly to CEE by 11:59 pm, 11 Dec 2026; schools do not nominate, and late applications are not considered.
- 2Arrange two teacher recommendations (math/science or a research supervisor, who should write if you did 4+ weeks of lab research); CEE accepts at most three, and the FAQ refers to three letters.
- 3International applicants apply through their country’s selecting agency, on its own schedule.
Program timeline
US application deadline
11 Dec 2026 (11:59 pm)
all applicants notified at the same time
March 2027
six-week program (exact dates not published)
Summer 2027