SEED/STEM Summer Program

The SEED/STEM program offers Indiana high school students a transformative, hands-on research experience designed to inspire the next generation of professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Hands-on Learning With a Faculty Mentor

This eight-week program is open to students of all backgrounds and provides a unique opportunity for those interested in careers across various STEM fields, including medicine, dentistry, computer science, life sciences, chemistry, biomedical engineering, and more.

Through a competitive application process, students are paired with leading research faculty who mentor them through an immersive summer project. Participants work alongside professional researchers, contributing to cutting-edge projects in health, technology, and life sciences.

Students are matched with research labs at prestigious institutions such as the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Indianapolis, and the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute (IBRI). The program allows students to explore exciting research areas while gaining invaluable mentorship and hands-on experience in both academic and industry settings.

Throughout the program, students contribute to meaningful, impactful research. They actively participate in research projects, applying their ideas and skills while collaborating with lab members. By the end of the summer, students will prepare a research poster to showcase their findings, providing a tangible representation of their work and growth.

Spend the Summer Exploring STEM

Duration: Eight weeks

Summer 2025 Program Dates: June 2 – July 23, 2025

Schedule: Monday through Friday for approximately eight hours per day

Logo for the American Chemical Society's Project SEED.

Expanding Access to STEM Opportunties

The SEED/STEM Program is part of a longstanding initiative in collaboration with the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED. Founded in 1968, Project SEED was created to ensure that students from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds have access to valuable research and educational opportunities. In line with this mission, the SEED/STEM program offers $4,000 stipends to qualifying students.

Students will be engaged for the entire eight-week program. We are unable to accommodate student requests to take a significant amount of time off during the program.

Eligibility

  • Current Indiana high school sophomore, junior or senior
  • Successful completion of at least one high school chemistry course
  • Demonstrated interest in science and/or research
  • Ability to commute to the IU Indianapolis campus for the duration of the program
  • As a training ground for future careers, it is a full-time experience for the students, Monday through Friday, for about eight hours a day. Students are expected to be engaged for the duration of the program.

Stipends (up to $4,000) are provided to eligible students based on financial need. These stipends help remove financial barriers, ensuring that high school students from diverse identities and socioeconomic backgrounds can participate in meaningful STEM research and learning. By providing this financial support, the program makes sure that every student, regardless of their financial circumstances, has the opportunity to engage in hands-on research and professional development in STEM fields.

To qualify for a stipend:

  • Your family’s annual income must not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size.
  • Students will have to provide documentation to verify household annual income for 2023 and 2024.

Students must provide ONE of the following documents to demonstrate financial eligibility:

  • A copy of a 1040 tax form showing that the annual adjusted gross income within the last 2 years has been 300% or less of the federal poverty guideline for household size
  • Documentation showing that the student is eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRPL) at school
  • Documentation showing that the family is eligible for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, SNAP, or WIC for Infants and Children Documentation showing participation in a TRIO program such as Upward Bound or other programs geared towards socioeconomically challenged families
  • Documentation showing eligibility for the SAT/ACT fee waiver

Application Process

The application submission process includes three parts:

  1. The student application form
    • This is the primary application, which includes questions about the applicant’s courses, interests, and other activities or experiences.
  2. The parent application form
    • This form gathers essential details about student, household, and income, which are needed to determine eligibility for the stipend.
  3. The recommendation form
    • This form is for someone (typically a STEM teacher) who can recommend the student. The student should contact the recommender and share this link for them to complete the form.

  • November 1, 2024: Applications Open
  • March 1, 2025: Application Deadline
  • March 17, 2025: Applicant Interviews Begin
  • April 2025: Admission Decisions Sent Via Email

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EST on March 1. All three forms must be submitted by this time to be considered.

SEED/STEM News

Consider becoming a SEED/STEM mentor.

As a SEED/STEM mentor, you will have the opportunity to strengthen the research pipeline, generate new interest in your field or research topic, and experience how rewarding it is to give back.

If you aren’t able to commit to serving as a mentor, you can still host a workshop or share your career journey with students.

Inquire Today

Support Our Future Scientists

Support the next generation of science professionals with a financial gift to the STEM Program fund. Student stipends are possible in part through generous donor support.

Give a Financial Contribution

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Related Services & Resources

Contact

  • Vanessa Santana
    SEED/STEM Program Coordinator
    Email