About

The Simons–NYU Science Explorations Program is a fully funded, three-week residential summer experience designed to introduce high-school students to multiple scientific disciplines at New York University. Hosted by NYU’s Faculty of Arts & Science, the program immerses participants in introductory college-level coursework, laboratory demonstrations, and applied science modules across biology, chemistry, neural science, physics, and psychology. Students live in NYU dormitories, attend daily classes led by university faculty and advanced instructors, and engage with peers in directed scientific discussions. The program aims to broaden access to science education by removing financial barriers; tuition, housing, meals, and domestic transportation are fully covered by NYU.

Admissions are highly selective. Each summer, approximately 80 students are chosen from a national pool of U.S. applicants. Eligible students must be at least 16 years old by the program start date and may apply as rising juniors, rising seniors, or recent high-school graduates. Applicants submit transcripts, short essays, and a teacher recommendation. While prior advanced coursework is not strictly required, successful candidates typically demonstrate strong academic preparation and a clear interest in fields such as biology, chemistry, neural science, physics, or psychology.

During the three-week term, participants take part in daily classes that blend lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises designed to introduce core principles of modern science. Curriculum elements vary by year but often include molecular and cellular processes, experimental chemistry techniques, neural circuitry fundamentals, foundational physics, and behavioral science perspectives. Students attend faculty presentations on current research, participate in group discussions, and apply conceptual skills through guided problem-solving and short project assignments. Residential programming includes evening study sessions, community activities, and supervised exploration of NYU’s academic environment.

Although the program is not structured as a research internship, its tuition-free model, university setting, and multidisciplinary curriculum make it a notable early-science opportunity. Students gain familiarity with STEM fields, insight into university-level expectations, and exposure to NYU’s scientific community. For applicants pursuing STEM pathways in college, the program offers a credible and well-supported introduction to the breadth of modern scientific study.