About

SpHERES (Sparking High Schoolers’ Excitement for Research in Engineering and Science) at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a six-week, faculty-mentored summer research program designed to introduce high school students to original research in medicine, engineering, and applied sciences. Hosted through the Carle Illinois College of Medicine in partnership with the WYSE program, SpHERES places students in active university laboratories to engage with research relevant to health innovation and technology.

Participants are matched with faculty mentors across departments such as bioengineering, neuroscience, and molecular biology. The curriculum focuses on hands-on lab work, experimental design, and data analysis, and includes weekly seminars on scientific careers and college preparation. The experience culminates in a research symposium where students present their findings.

SpHERES is open to rising 10th–12th graders who reside in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin. Selection is competitive and prioritizes students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM. The program is fully funded, and participants receive a $2,400 stipend. For 2026, the in-person research component is scheduled for June 22 – July 31.

By providing an authentic research apprenticeship within a premier engineering-based medical school, SpHERES offers motivated students a realistic look at academic research culture and the intersection of medicine and engineering. Given its access to real world faculty research and paid stipend, SpHERES offers eligible students an exceptional summer opportunity.