Young Scholars Program (YSP)
YSP offers future scientists and engineers a unique opportunity for a hands-on research experience while still in high school. This free program is open to Massachusetts residents (within commuter distance) who have completed their junior year of high school (i.e. rising seniors).
Laboratory research experience
s. Work in research laboratories within Northeastern University’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences (Bouve). In the past, students have worked with a variety of faculty such as: Professor Sara Hashmi, using agent-based modeling simulation to explore questions about active particles in flow; Professor Shelley Lin, designing new model compression algorithms that can facilitate FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) implementation and optimization; Professor Mike Kane, exploring and optimizing battery chemistries that can be combined to meet the energy demands of remote islands; and Professors Mansoor Amiji/Lara Milane, evaluating new cancer therapies and exploring how to overcome multi-drug resistance.
Information about past labs: (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025).
Alumni Information
Career exploration. Participate in a special seminar series, Introduction to Engineering, with presentations by Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Mechanical, and Industrial Engineering professors and graduate students. Topics include radar, environmental issues, superconductivity, lasers, microwave materials, biotechnology, chemical analysis, and robotics.
Education and career counseling. A general overview of engineering education for undergraduate students will be presented by the Dean’s Office of the College of Engineering. The Department of Cooperative Education will acquaint students with the ‘nuts and bolts’ of careers for scientists and engineers. Also, each Young Scholar participates in college and career counseling with the program’s coordinators and mentors.
Assistant professor Matthew Eckelman shares his yearbook from his time as a high school student in the Young Scholars Program with 2016 scholars MaryBeth Rockett and Louis Sokolow. Article
Field trips to a variety of corporate and government sites to see and speak with engineers in action. In the past, students have traveled to Biogen, the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, Akamai, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and the MIT Chemical Engineering Labs.
Experience college life. Young Scholars become acquainted with college life and students at various points in their academic careers, and have access to the University’s Snell Library and Curry Student Center.
Northeastern’s dedication to encouraging industry-relevant experiences along with classroom education is the major thrust of the program. The University’s outstanding facilities and staff, coupled with Northeastern’s hands-on approach, provide a challenging opportunity.
Key Dates
- 2025 Program Dates: Monday, June 23 – Thursday, July 31
- Applications Open: December 2024
- Applications Close: March 1, 2025
- Results Posted By: Mid-April 2024
- Program time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays
Eligibility:
- Students must be permanent Massachusetts residents (live and go to school in MA throughout the year).
- Students must live within commuting distance of Northeastern University.
- Only students entering 12th grade in the fall following the program (current juniors) are eligible to apply. Students from any school (public, private, homeschooled, etc) are eligible.
- Due to government grant funding, students must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents
- Absences are NOT permitted unless in a documented emergency.
