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Summer Science Research Program

SSRP students 2023

Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) 2024

Applications for SSRP 2024 are CLOSED.

Program at a Glance

  • Mentored biomedical research program at The Rockefeller University
  • Monday, June 24 – Thursday, August 8, 2024
  • SSRP scholars will be on campus up to 35 hours per week during normal business hours
  • Applicants must be current high school juniors or seniors
  • Accepted students must be age 16+ at program start — no exceptions — and must commit to the entire program.

Program Overview:

SSRP Scholars will participate on a research team designed and guided by Rockefeller trainees. SSRP teams mirror the structure of a Rockefeller laboratory, where one trainee serves as team lead with support from dedicated scientist-mentors. Each team will have their own space in the RockEDU laboratory.

The SSRP team experience is enhanced by elective scientific  courses, guest lectures, and social events.


Additional Details

SSRP Cohort Structure: 

The SSRP cohort is composed of 32 SSRP Scholars.

Research teams:

The topics of each SSRP Research team are based on the expertise and scientific interests of the research team leader. Approximately 8 SSRP scholars are assigned to each research team. We attempt to match scholars to a team that aligns with their scientific interests. 

While the daily schedule of each team will be unique, the general weekly flow of the program is as follows:

Week 1 – Introduction to the team topic; getting familiar with research techniques and laboratory norms
Week 2 – SSRP Scholars choose a research question related to the team topic to explore
Weeks 3- 5 – Explore research questions guided by team leader and scientist-mentors 

Weeks 6 & 7 – Analyze data and design a poster to present findings at the end of program symposium.


Application Process

Step 1: Complete the online application. Applications were due on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. No exceptions will be made to accommodate late applications. 

Step 2: Selected SSRP applicants will be invited for an interview, to take place over Zoom. The final cohort will be selected after the interview process is complete.


Eligibility and Expectations

To be eligible for SSRP participation, students must be enrolled as a junior or senior in high school, and must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program.

In order to participate in the SSRP, students must commit to the entirety of the seven-week program — we can not accommodate attendance gaps. Please be aware: students are prohibited from using any aspect of work performed during the SSRP for science competition submissions.


Applications for SSRP 2024 are CLOSED.

Applications were due on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Letters of recommendation are due on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please refer to our updated SSRP 2024 FAQ page for more information about the program.


Contact Us

Douglas Heigl
Program Administrator

Summer Science Research Program
The Rockefeller University
1230 York Ave, Box 53
New York, NY 10065