Prerequisites

Just one — you’ve proven that you are good at something that others in the program will find useful. Here's a short list of examples.

Well, one more — you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify for financial support (an NSF/NIH regulation, not ours). However, if you are a foreign student and are somehow able to find support elsewhere, then please feel free to apply.

Commitment to program

1. Applying to the institute and accepting admission implies that you agree to participate in the program for its duration (see below). This generally means that you will apply to the program as a college freshman or sophomore and enter it the next summer as a rising sophomore or junior (but if you're currently a junior/rising senior, your special circumstances may elicit a special response).
    
   • Summer 2010: June 1 through Aug. 11
   • Academic year 2010/2011: at your home institution
   • Summer 2011: May 31 through Aug. 10 (tentative)
      
2. Along with you comes an enthusiastic faculty mentor at your institution who has agreed to partner with us (and you!) in planning research activities during the academic year between your two summers at the Institute.