About this competition
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is the most selective free summer research program for high-school students in the world. ~80 rising seniors from across the U.S. and abroad are accepted from ~3,000+ applicants. The 6-week program runs in June-July at MIT and pairs each student with a working scientist mentor for original research.
RSI alumni include Pulitzer Prize winners, MacArthur Fellows, and a substantial fraction of recent Regeneron STS finalists. The Center for Excellence in Education runs the program with Department of Defense and corporate sponsorship.
Application requires: PSAT/SAT scores in the top percentiles, AP-level coursework completion, essays, research interests, recommendations. The $65 application fee can be waived.
Season & deadlines
Application opens early November. Deadline ~December 10. Decisions in March. Program runs late June through August at MIT.
Season window: November through July.
Cost
Up to $65 — $65 application fee (waivable). All program costs (housing, food, transportation) are free for accepted students.
Prizes & outcomes
The credential is the prize. RSI alumni dominate STS Top 10 and ISEF Grand Award lists year after year.