HSRA Summer Program
The summer High School Research Academy (HSRA) provides high school students with an immersive and hands-on five-week interdisciplinary non-residential summer research experience at the University of Texas at Austin campus.
Students participate in research projects in active College of Natural Sciences (CNS) laboratories related to the exciting fields of biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, ecology, and more. Participants will learn cutting edge research techniques while gaining valuable insights and experiences through interaction with UT students and faculty in CNS undergraduate research groups.
This unique opportunity provides a real taste of life as a researcher. By being involved in STEM research early, students can experience the joy of discovery that is central to being a scientist.
HSRA Program Highlights
Each HSRA participant will:
- actively engage in a five week authentic research experience in a UT laboratory
- collaborate with peers, undergraduates and UT faculty
- earn NSC309 UT extension course credit and receive an HSRA t-shirt.
- participate in Wednesday Seminars hosted by UT guest speakers
- present (and take home!) a printed poster showcasing their summer research productivity at our closing HSRA Research Symposium
HSRA Summer 2026
Program Dates: June 8 - July 15, 2026
*Participants will be off on June 19 and July 3rd for holiday observance.
Application Timeline & Notification Schedule
- Application Deadline: March 22, 2026, 11:59 PM CST
- Late Submissions: Applications received after the deadline may be accepted on a limited basis; however, late submissions are not guaranteed consideration.
- First Round Notifications: April 20 (sent via email). Applicants must confirm their acceptance and submit deposit by April 26. Offers not accepted by this date will be released to the next round of candidates.
- Second Round Notifications: May 4 (sent via email). Applicants must confirm and submit deposit by May 10.
- Please note: Program placements may continue to be finalized following this date, depending on lab availability.
HSRA Research Experiences
Program Overview
HSRA IS AN IN-PERSON PROGRAM. WE DO NOT PROVIDE HOUSING OR TRANSPORTATION.
CONTACT
Participant Eligibility
To be eligible for HSRA, each participant MUST BE:
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a Texas resident. We currently prioritize Texas Residents at this time, but encourage interested candidates to apply.
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15 years or older by June 1, 2026.
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either rising sophomore, junior, or senior for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. Preference is for rising juniors or seniors.
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available for the designated five consecutive weeks during program dates to dedicate to conducting research over the summer.
**Accepted participants must make their own housing and transportation arrangements.**
Research Experiences
Each HSRA participant will:
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spend ~15-25 hrs per week with their research group. The specific schedule (days/times) will be distributed by the research group that the student is placed in. Schedule flexibility will vary but the enrollment fee is the same for each HSRA research experience.
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participate in a variety of events outside of their research activities, including guest speakers and a poster forum during the last week of the program.
Application Timeline & Enrollment
Program Dates: June 8 - July 15, 2026
*Participants will be off on June 19 and July 3rd for holiday observance.
Application Timeline & Notification Schedule
- Application Deadline: March 22, 2026, 11:59 PM CST
- Late Submissions: Applications received after the deadline may be accepted on a limited basis; however, late submissions are not guaranteed consideration.
- First Round Notifications: April 20 (sent via email). Applicants must confirm their acceptance and submit deposit by April 26. Offers not accepted by this date will be released to the next round of candidates.
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Second Round Notifications: May 4 (sent via email). Applicants must confirm and submit deposit by May 10.
HSRA Tuition includes:
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participation in one research experience
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all HSRA activities/events
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UT course credit
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a printed research poster and an HSRA t-shirt.
Payment will not be due until a position has been offered and the participant has accepted that research placement.
Accepted participants will be offered a research experience based on their interests, availability and space and will be notified of this research group placement according to the notification schedule above.
Need-Based Scholarships
The HSRA is committed to providing research opportunities to a diverse range of high school students. A limited number of need-based scholarships only may be available. The scholarship will include a stipend + free tuition to HSRA.
HSRA does not offer merit-based scholarships at this time.
UT Course Credit
Each HSRA participant will be enrolled in an NSC309 college credit course through the UT Extension Program.
HSRA participants will complete several graded reflection assignments, readings, and assignments related to their research work to receive this credit.