Summer Science Research Program

Hofstra University's Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP) offers high school students opportunities to conduct on-campus research under the guidance of our faculty in all disciplines including Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Computer Science, Engineering, Sociology, Geology, Mathematics, and Public Health. HUSSRP is competitive and students must submit a completed online application and letter of recommendation from a teacher by the deadline for their application to be reviewed. Students will be selected for this program based on their performance in their relevant high school classes, a personal interview, the high school teacher's recommendation, and the availability of a faculty mentor.

The program generally runs through the month of July culminating in a poster session where students display the work they performed during the summer. The poster session is open to all students in the program, their families, and their teachers.

About the Program

Activity Dates or Deadline (by 11:59pm of…) Fee Due
Application and Application Fee Due Feb 2, 2026 (Mon) $65
Teacher Recommendations Due Feb 9, 2026 (Mon)  
Faculty Application Review Process
(including virtual interviews)		 Early Feb thru late Mar  
Notification Date ~ Apr 10, 2026 (Fri)  
Tuition Deposit Due (1) Apr 17, 2026 (Fri) $350
Tuition Balance Due (1) Apr 27, 2026 (Mon) $1,900
Program Dates (2) Jul 6, 2026 (Mon) – Jul 31, 2026 (Fri)  
Orientation Jul 6, 2026 (Mon) 11am-2pm, loc TBD (3)  
Weekly Seminar / Lunch (Session 1) Jul 8, 2026 (Wed) 12-2pm, loc TBD (3)  
Weekly Seminar / Lunch (Session 2) Jul 15, 2026 (Wed) 12-2pm, loc TBD(3)  
Weekly Seminar / Lunch (Session 3) Jul 22, 2026 (Wed) 12-2pm, loc TBD (3)  
Weekly Seminar / Lunch (Session 4) Jul 29, 2026 (Wed) 12-2pm, loc TBD (3)  
Poster Session ~ Aug 6, 2026 (Thurs) 4:30-6pm, loc TBD (3)  

(1) Can alternatively pay full tuition of $2,250 at time of deposit deadline of April 27, 2026.
(2) Some flexibility on actual start and end dates, as agreed upon between faculty mentor and student
(3) The location of the orientation, weekly seminars, and poster session are still in the process of being finalized.  They are tentatively planned for either the Hofstra University Student Center Theater (SC Theater) or Multipurpose Room (MPR).  Details to be confirmed at a later date.

  • Students must be enrolled in 10th or 11th grade at the time the application is submitted;
  • Must be U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents;
  • Must be at least 15 years of age by the start of the program;
  • Have had at least one year of a high school research course;
  • Have demonstrated an interest in their requested subject topic;
  • Be willing and able to commit four weeks to full-time research; and
  • Have demonstrated the ability to work independently.

For Summer 2026, please apply here. Please review program information, eligibility, and FAQ before submitting.

Application Considerations
Reviews of applications will be ongoing through late March. All parts of the application should be submitted online. Once the applicant submits their application, the link to the recommendation form and parent/guardian consent is automatically sent to the emails entered by the applicant so it is imperative that information is entered correctly and that they follow up to make sure the emails are received. The following information is required to complete the application form:

  1. A statement from the student explaining why they want to engage in a research project;
  2. A letter of recommendation from a teacher;
  3. Parent/guardian consent form
  4. Students will be asked to select, in order of preference, three research areas in which they would like to participate.
  5. A non-refundable application fee.
Who is eligible for the program?
See eligibility requirements above. Only current high school sophomores or juniors are eligible. Please only apply if you meet the listed criteria.
Are there any exceptions to the applicant eligibility?
No. Students must be US citizens and/or permanent residents; and must be at least 15 years of age by the start of the program. No exceptions.
How do I apply?
All applicants must complete an online application form by the deadline; faxed, mailed or emailed applications are not accepted. Recommendation letters must also be submitted online by the due date. Changes cannot be made to the application after it is submitted.
Can I mail in my application?
No. All parts of the application (including recommendation letters) must be submitted through our online application system. If you have issues uploading your application, email your documentation HUSSRP@HOFSTRA.EDU.
May I participate in the program for a shorter time?
Participants are required to complete four full weeks of the program though some exceptions may be made upon agreement between student and mentor. The expectation is that the student attends the orientation and weekly seminars.
May I submit supplemental materials for my application?
No. A completed application comprises: 1) online application, 2) online teacher recommendation. Please do not attempt to send any other supplementary materials (test scores, awards, additional recommendation letters) that are not requested as they will not be included as part of your application.
How will I know that my application is complete?
Applicants will receive a notification on their oline portal that their application was successfully submitted. All applicants will be notified about admissions decisions around the mid-April.
There are no early admissions decisions. Applicants who wish to withdraw their application/admissions candidacy should email HUSSRP@hofstra.edu. Application fees are non-refundable.
Who should write recommendation letters for me?
As part of your application, you must have one strong recommendation letter from a teacher, preferably in a subject the student intends to pursue in the summer program. The recommendation should come from someone who can attest to your academic potential, communication skills, laboratory skills, and ability to work independently and with others. Recommendation letters from family or friends will not be accepted. Recommendation letters are to be submitted via the provided online form. Recommenders receive the form after a completed application is submitted by the student.
Are there any tuition fees?
Yes. Please see the “Application and Program Dates, Deadlines, and Fees” section above.
Where are you located? Do you provide housing and/or transportation?
All student research will be conducted at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. The program is currently designed for in-person interactions a few times a week which may be supplemented with some virtual sessions. If you can only participate as a virtual-only applicant, you must select that option on the application.

Please be aware that we do not provide housing and/or transportation. You will be responsible for your own housing accommodations and transportation. You may, however, be able to access the Hofstra shuttle buses for pick up and drop off at the Hempstead and Mineola LIRR (Long Island Railroad) train stations.
What are the dates and hours of the program?
The 4-week program runs from the beginning of July to the end of July, generally Monday - Thursday. Students’ hours may vary depending on the mentor’s schedule. All accepted students must attend the orientation session at the start of the program. For students in relevant subjects, there will also be a mandatory lab safety session.

In addition, students are expected to attend a weekly seminar/lunch on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. Students will then be invited to campus for a late afternoon poster session to present the results of their research.
Can my research project be used for competition in local national science contests?
On your application, please select if you intend on submitting your work for consideration in a contest. Students must receive permission from their lab mentor before submitting their project externally.
How many students are accepted to this program?
The number of students accepted depends on faculty availability. Last year, we received over 300 applications and cannot provide individualized feedback to applicants. Because we receive many more applications than we have available spots in the program, we cannot guarantee acceptance, even for highly qualified candidates.
What happens after I submit my application?
Applications are continuously reviewed and correspondence will not all happen in the same week. Individual faculty members will review subject-relevant applications and will choose select applicants for interviews via Zoom to discuss the student’s specific research project and potential schedules. Any general concerns and questions should be asked at this point before you agree to participate in research. All applicants will be notified of admissions decisions around mid-April.
If I am accepted, how long will I have to confirm that I will participate in the program?
After you are accepted, you are expected to confirm your participation in the program within seven days of the notification with a deposit due. If you don’t, you will forfeit your spot in the program.
If admitted, what do I need to complete BEFORE HUSSRP starts?
Once you have been accepted into the program, you are encouraged to reach out to your mentor directly to find out more about potential research projects and for recommendations of papers you might read to get started. You may or may not connect with your research group.
Is there a dress code?
While there is no formal dress code, participants are expected to dress in comfortable clothing that is appropriate for their lab setting. For certain disciplines, there will be specific guidelines on lab appropriate attire. Failure to wear lab appropriate attire may result in dismissal from the lab as the attire is for safety reasons.
Will applying or participating in HUSSRP help me get into Hofstra University?
This program is not related to Hofstra Undergraduate Admissions. Participation in this program does not result in admission to a Hofstra University degree program. Hofstra reserves the right to admit as requested, to deny admission, or to offer provisional admission. The program will not provide feedback to applicants if admission is denied.
Whom should I contact if I, my parents, or teacher have further questions?
Please contact the Program Managers by e-mail at HUSSRP@hofstra.edu.

2026 Regeneron STS Semifinalists

Adhithi Arun: Livingston High School
Vedant Balani: Jericho High School

2025 Regeneron STS Semifinalists

Serena Chen: Herricks High School
Eric Reilly: Lynbrook High School
Erica Revill: Sacred Heart Academy
Sarah Sun: Great Neck South High School

2025 Regeneron ISEF Winners

Lilly Horowitz: Jericho High School

2025 LISEF Winners

Evelyn Caputo: Wantagh High School
Serena Chen: Herricks High School
Brice Chiu: New Hyde Park Mem High School
Aleeza Dhillon: Valley Stream North High School
Lilly Horowitz: Jericho High School
Harmehar Kaur: Syosset High School
Ryan Tae: Jericho High School

2024 Regeneron STS Semifinalists

Christina Pan: Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School
Ankur Raghavan : ethpage High School

2024 LISEF Winners

Shuewei Chen: Manhasset High School
Mannat Jain: Garden City High School
Lilly Horowitz: Jericho High School
Sahil Patel: St. Anthony's High School
Alaina Pinto: The Wheatley School
Sun Sarah: Great Neck South High School
Emily Zhao: Manhasset High School

Poster Session

The capstone experience of the Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program participants comes when students present posters highlighting their summer research activities at a reception for their families, friends, and teachers. Many HUSSRP students go on to enter their research posters in science competitions locally and nationally.

Learn more

Contact Us

Daniel Miller & Wendy Hom
Co-Directors, Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program
Hofstra University

Most questions should be answered in the FAQ. For all other questions, please email us.