2026 Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research

2026 University of Illinois Young Scholars High School Summer STEMM Research

Block I Grainger Engineering Please complete the following form to submit your application to these Science, Engineering, and Medicine Summer Research Programs at the University of Illinois.

Don't forget to hit the Submit application button at the bottom of this page. Your application will not be submitted until you do.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.

If you have questions please call 217-300-7603 or wyse@illinois.edu

First Choice for Summer Program*

Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering and Science (Carle-Illinois College of Medicine)

Grainger Engineering Young Scholars

Second Choice for Summer Program

Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering and Science (Carle-Illinois College of Medicine)

Grainger Engineering Young Scholars

Applicant's Personal Information

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Preferred First Name or Nickname*
What you would want on your nametag

Birthdate*

Gender Identity
Needed for reporting purposes. This information is not used for determining eligibility.

Race--self-identification with one or more of the following groups:
Needed for reporting purposes. This information is not used for determining eligibility.

Ethnicity--whether a person is of Hispanic origin or not. Hispanics may identify as any of the above races.
Needed for reporting purposes. This information is not used for determining eligibility.

Mailing Address*
A U.S. address is required for virtual camps.

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Phone*

Can we text you at this number?

Yes

No

Applicant's Email Address*
Note: This should be an address that you will have access to and check regularly during summer months

School Currently Attending*

hidden school code

When will you graduate from high school?*

hidden student type

Freshman

Transfer

Have you participated in WYSE summer programs before?*

Parent/Guardian Information

Does one or more parent/guardian have a college degree?

Yes

No

Parent/Guardian #1: First Name*

Parent/Guardian #1: Last Name*

Parent/Guardian #1: Relationship to Camper*

Father

Mother

Legal Guardian

Other

Other:

Parent/Guardian #1: Primary Phone*

Parent/Guardian #1: Primary Phone Type*

Parent/Guardian #1: Email Address*

Parent/Guardian #2 Information (Optional)

Would you like to provide contact information for a second parent/guardian?*
This will allow camp communications to go to both contacts.

Yes

No

Parent/Guardian #2: First Name

Parent/Guardian #2: Last Name

Parent/Guardian #2: Relationship to Camper

Father

Mother

Legal Guardian

Other

Other:

Parent/Guardian #2: Primary Phone

Parent/Guardian #2: Primary Phone Type

Parent/Guardian #2: Email Address

Recommendation

Your application requires a recommendation from someone outside of your family who can speak to your skills and interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The following information will be used to contact a teacher, tutor, mentor, or counselor who can complete a Recommendation Form for you. Be sure to notify this person that they should expect an email from wyse@illinois.edu for this purpose.

Your application is not considered complete until ALL supporting documents (including the Recommendation Form) have been received.

Name of the person who will provide your recommendation:

Recommender's Email

Relationship to Student (e.g. Algebra Instructor, mentor, counselor)?

Coursework in Math and Science

Provide a list of coursework in math, science, technology, and engineering from the last two years, including grades – official transcripts are not required

EXAMPLE
Science	Biology	A
	AP Chem	C
Engineering	Intro to Engineering	B
Math	Algebra	B
	Geometry	A

High School GPA: Please respond to both parts of this question by providing both the grade point average (GPA) and the scale used by your school (e.g. 4.2 GPA on 5.0 scale).

GPA

Scale

Non-coursework Activities

Provide a list of non-coursework activities that you participate in regularly and indicate how often (monthly, weekly, or daily). Also indicate any relevant awards or leadership opportunities

EXAMPLE
Jobs	Waiting Tables	Weekly
Clubs	Science Olympiad	Twice a month
	Culture Club	Monthly	Treasurer
	Cultural Dance Team	Weekly
Awards	Honor Society	previous 3 years
Volunteering	Church Food Pantry	twice a month

Personal Statements

The following interest statements are used for making decisions about acceptance into the program and to identify a good match for your research project. Be sure to be specific and descriptive about your strengths and interests.

Goal Alignment: The Young Scholars High School Research Program, sponsored by the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Grainger College of Engineering, offers students the chance to engage in real-world research through hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation. Scholars collaborate with mentors to ask important questions, design solutions, and explore how science, medicine, and engineering can enhance lives. The program encourages curiosity, resilience, empathy, inclusive excellence, and an entrepreneurial mindset, preparing scholars to transform their ideas into impactful, cutting-edge solutions for health, societal, and global challenges.

Why are you interested in this program? How do your interests, goals, or experiences connect with what the Young Scholars Research Program stands for?

Please write in the space below (or copy/paste from your word processor).
Maximum 500 words

Future Vision: Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years, and how will this program help move you in that direction?

Please write in the space below (or copy/paste from your word processor).
Maximum of 300 words.

Communication Channels

Other information source:

Other partner organization:

If you are done with your application, please click the Submit Application button below. You will not be able to make changes to your application once it has been submitted.