Since its establishment, the Simons Summer Research Program (Simons SRP) has become one of the most competitive and challenging research opportunities for high school students in the United States.
The program admits only 40 participants each year and posts an acceptance rate of about 5%, highlighting its highly selective nature and the demanding academic and research environment it fosters.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Simons Summer Research Program, detailing the eligibility requirements, the application process, and the enriching academic journey that awaits participants.
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University offers a highly prestigious and selective opportunity for ambitious high school students to engage in hands-on research.
Those selected to participate are matched with Stony Brook faculty mentors. After matching, fellows will join a research group or team and assume responsibility for a research project. By the end of the program, fellows will produce a research abstract and poster.
To qualify for the Simons Summer Research Program, applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors at the time of their application.
Additionally, candidates must be at least 16 years of age.
Registering for this program involves a rigorous application process, including the requirement that the school nominate scholars for the program. This stage has an earlier deadline than the general application deadline, so make sure you are aware of when each aspect of your application is due.
Prior research experience is not necessary for participation in the program — the only eligibility requirements are the grade and age cutoffs listed above.
Here are the required components to an application to the Simons Summer Research Program:
The Simons Summer Research Program attract applicants in their high school junior year who wish to work closely with professional researchers and further their own academic interests.
Historically, the Simons Research Program adheres to the following deadlines for admissions:
The Simons Summer Research Program takes place at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. Historically, the program runs from late June to early August. The 2026 program runs from June 29 to August 7 (approximately six weeks).
Participants are expected to commit a minimum of 4 hours per day working with their mentor and research group, though hours may vary based on arrangements with their assigned faculty mentor. The program concludes with a poster symposium on August 7. Remote participation is not available – all research must be conducted on campus.
Through the support of the Simons foundation, There are no tuition fees for the Simons Summer Research Program. However, participants are responsible for the following costs:
The Simons Program at Stony Brook University is recognized for its prestige, attracting a significant number of applicants each year. With an acceptance rate of less than 5%, the program admits only a select few, highlighting its exclusivity and competitive nature. This high selectivity is a testament to the program’s reputation for excellence.
The opportunity for high school students to engage in university-level research alongside distinguished faculty members in fields ranging from biochemistry and cell biology to electrical and computer engineering adds substantial weight to its status as prestigious.
The achievements of its alumni significantly contribute to the program’s prestige and highlight the exceptional quality of the scholar that the program admits. Since 1997, approximately 600 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) semifinalists have been mentored by Stony Brook faculty, many through the Simons program. Notable recent examples include:
For a complete list of Simons/Stony Brook-mentored STS scholars and finalists dating back to 2008, see the Stony Brook Science Talent Search page.
From the first day of orientation to the final poster symposium, participants follow a structured program designed to immerse them in authentic university-level research. The table below outlines each phase of the Simons experience, including daily expectations, weekly programming, and the deliverables students complete by the end of the seven week.
Students will work with Stony Brook faculty mentors to develop their research interests into final work products.
While the Simons Summer Research Program has no tuition fees, students and families should budget for housing and meals. Participants can choose to live on campus in a university residence hall or commute from home. There are commuting options available for local high school students, and residential options available for those wishing to experience life of a college campus. The table below breaks down each option, including estimated costs for summer 2025 to help families plan ahead.
Simons Fellows are matched with faculty mentors across a wide range of STEM disciplines. Based on recent mentor listings and past student projects, available research areas include:
For the complete 2026 mentor list, visit the Simons Program Research Mentors page. If you are primarily interested in Materials Science or Polymers research, we encourage you to check out another Stony Brook offering, the Garcia program.
The Simons Program is ideally suited for academically driven high school juniors with a strong foundation in their high school curriculum, especially in sciences like computer science, biomedical research, or artificial intelligence.
Ideal candidates demonstrate:
If you intend to be a residential student, you should also possess the maturity, personal responsibility, and problem solving skills required with living independently on a college campus.
Participation in the Simons Summer Research Program is notable as admissions officers would recognize this program as a rigorous, university-hosted initiative that deepens participants’ understanding of and passion for STEM fields.
Successfully completing the program demonstrates a student’s ability to handle challenging academic research and highlights their proactive dedication to their education, qualities highly valued by top-tier institutions. Specifically, Simons Fellows graduate the program with authentic research experience, working alongside graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at a major research university.
Many alumni continue their projects into senior year and submit to national competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search, where Stony Brook-mentored students have consistently earned scholar and finalist recognition.
The Simons Summer Research Program maintains an acceptance rate of less than 5%. Those who are selected to the program must be vetted through a highly competitive national process, one that evaluates academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and research potential.
For students aiming at selective STEM programs or research universities, the Simons Summer Research Program offers both the credentials and formative experience that admissions committees tend to value.
The Simons Summer Research Program offers high school juniors far more than a line on their resume. Over seven weeks, students get a genuine preview of what research at the university level looks like, from the daily grind of lab work and writing research papers, to the mentorship from graduate students and faculty and the satisfaction of contributing to real scientific questions.
This experience helps students in practical ways. Working through a research project from start to finish builds problem-solving skills that transfer directly to college coursework and beyond.
Students also leave with a clearer sense of whether a research-focused career is right for them, valuable insight before committing to a major or career path.
Those looking to learn more about research programs for high school students can check out our article categorizing them here. Some select programs that are similar to Simons include the following:
For high school students searching for prestigious summer research programs that are respected and valued by colleges, Pioneer Academics is a great alternative to this featured program.
Based on a recent survey from Pioneer Academics alumni, 71 percent of Pioneer Research scholars’ college admissions records were to the top 20 US colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated summer programs.
If you’re interested in conducting the highest level of research for high school students, consider joining a Pioneer information session to learn more about the Pioneer Research Institute.
If you are a 9th or 10th grader, you should check out the Global Problem-Solving Institute today. You’ll have the rare opportunity to study current world problems in an interdisciplinary approach and earn college credits from UNC-Chapel Hill at a young age.
The Simons Summer Research Program maintains an acceptance rate of less than 5%.
There is no program fee to attend the Simons Summer Research Program, but participants are responsible for their own housing, dining, and transportation costs.
After successfully completing the course, students will be provided a stipend.
Yes. To submit an application, students must first be nominated by their school.
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