About

The Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program at Boston University is a six-week summer research experience for high school juniors and seniors. Founded in 1978, RISE is one of the longest-running university-based research internships for high schoolers. It is not free—tuition is about $6,000—but the program’s scale, urban location, and university affiliation make it one of the most widely known STEM opportunities in the U.S.

RISE admits between about 110 - 130 students from a national pool, with an overall acceptance rate that is likely at or below 10%. Open to US students and permanent residents, the application requires transcripts, recommendations, and essays; students are expected to show interest in specific BU faculty research as part of their application. Applicants may choose between the more selective and competitive Internship track (individual placement in a BU research lab) or the Practicum track (a structured, team-based computational project). After the initial admission there is a matching process between applicants and potential mentors.

Students spend six weeks conducting research alongside BU faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. Internship-track students are matched with labs in fields such as biomedical engineering, neuroscience, chemistry, or computer science. Practicum students collaborate on projects in computational neurobiology and bioinformatics. In addition to lab work, all RISE students attend weekly workshops on research methods, scientific writing, and college preparation. Internship students participate in a final post symposium that is a highlight of the experience.

RISE alumni often leverage their projects for science competitions such as Regeneron STS and ISEF, and many later co-author publications. Because of its long history, academic rigor, and exposure to genuine faculty-led research, RISE carries real weight with admissions officers—particularly for students interested in biomedical sciences and engineering.