Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
by Center for Excellence in Education (CEE)
5-week mentored research internship at MIT labs
RSI is a tuition-free five-week research program at MIT for exceptional high school students to conduct original scientific research under the mentorship of leading scientists and engineers.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
5 weeks
Time needed
6 weeks at MIT
Eligibility
Open to high school juniors (typically ages 16-18) worldwide with exceptional academic records and strong STEM aptitude. Approximately 80 students selected from thousands of global applicants.
- Grade level
- Grade 11
- Age range
- 16 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Exceptional academic record; SAT/ACT scores; strong STEM background; highly competitive international selection
- Prerequisites
- Strong coursework in science and/or mathematics
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Fully funded — tuition, housing, meals, transport
The entire RSI program is provided at no cost. CEE covers all tuition, housing, meals, and local transportation at MIT.
Opens doors to
RSI alumni consistently gain admission to the world's top universities, with many attending MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and other leading institutions.
Career pathways
Participants conduct original research in MIT laboratories under the guidance of leading scientists and engineers.
Recognition
Premier pre-college research program globally
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 1 Sept 2025
- Registration closed
- 10 Dec 2025
- Dates
- 28 Jun 2026 to 8 Aug 2026
How to apply
- 1US students apply through CEE website; international students apply through designated partner organizations in their countries.
- 2Application includes transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), essays, and teacher recommendations.
- 3Acceptance decisions communicated in April 2026.
Rules and guidelines
- Full residential participation required for all 5 weeks
- Students must complete a research paper and oral presentation
- Research conducted under assigned faculty or industry mentor
About this opportunity
The Research Science Institute (RSI), run by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), is one of the most prestigious pre-college science research programs in the world. Held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, RSI brings together approximately 80 of the most academically talented high school students from across the United States and internationally for an intensive five-week research experience.
Students are matched with MIT faculty, researchers, and industry scientists to conduct original research projects across all scientific disciplines — from mathematics and physics to biology, computer science, chemistry, and engineering.
The program begins with a week of intensive STEM lectures delivered by MIT faculty, followed by four weeks of full-time mentored research in MIT laboratories. Students complete their projects with written and oral presentations judged by scientists and engineers. The entire program — tuition, housing, meals, and local transportation — is provided at no cost to participants.
RSI alumni have won Regeneron Science Talent Search and Intel ISEF, and many attend MIT, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford.
What your child will do
- MIT faculty STEM lecture series
- Mentored laboratory research
- Research paper writing
- Oral presentation to scientist judges
- Weekly meetings with research mentors
Mentors and faculty
MIT faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and industry scientists from leading companies and research institutions
Languages
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
One week of MIT faculty STEM lectures followed by four weeks of mentored original research in MIT labs; culminates in research paper and oral presentation
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