• research program

    95%+ of Scholar Launch Students Got Into Top 50 Colleges

    Our research and leadership programs are designed to immerse our scholars in academic and entrepreneurial excellence to unlock their hidden potential.

  • Spring 2024 Research Programs Open for Application

    Participate in a middle or high school research program and walk away with tangible results.

  • Applications for 2024 Summer Research Programs Now Open

    Make the most of your summer vacation by participating in research programs with top professors and mentors from around the world.

    Sign up before April 20, 2024 to get a $500 academic bonus

  • Leadership and Innovation Lab

    Launch a business, organization, or platform with the support of a seasoned instructor and robust entrepreneurial network.

    Sign up for Summer LIL cohorts before March 15, 2024 to get a $1,000 academic bonus!

  • Scholar Launch Alumni Showcase

    Curious about what you can achieve at Scholar Launch? Watch our outstanding alumni share their research results and findings.

  • Win a Full Scholarship for 1-on-1 Research

    One lucky student will receive a full scholarship for a 1-on-1 research experience with Dr. Roger Worthington, whose Summer 2024 program will delve into the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

    Application Deadline: March 31, 2024

300+ Mentors

from leading universities

1,500+ Alumni

from 16 countries and regions

95%+ Students Admitted to top 50 college

74% Students Admitted to top 30 college

450+ Research Topics

tailored to students’ academic interests

100+ Student Projects

thriving across the world

Explore Our Blog

Find a Research or Entrepreneurship Program

Junior Group Research Program

Junior Group Research Programs are designed for middle school students who are eager to explore entry-level research and learn advanced subject knowledge beyond the classroom. Learn more

Customized 1-on-1 Program

Customized programs are highly personalized based on students’ interests, academic levels, goals and schedules. These are perfect opportunities for students who want to pursue niche research or entrepreneurship projects.

Research Interest Exploration Program

Developed by top college professors, students will explore various disciplines, develop skills, and create a tailored portfolio and research proposal with guidance from a Program Advisor. Learn more 

Leadership & Entrepreneurship Exploration Program

These programs are designed to unlock students’ leadership potential by introducing them to the world of entrepreneurship. Students can learn essential skills and practical strategies to kickstart their journey, all under personalized professional guidance. Learn more

Advanced Group Research Program

Students will work with professors and scholars from top universities in a small-group setting, engage in lively discussions and get professional one-on-one guidance from Teaching Assistants. Learn more

Leadership & Innovation Lab

Launch a business, organization, or platform with the support of a seasoned instructor and robust entrepreneurial network. Learn more

Customized 1-on-1 Program

Customized programs are highly personalized based on students’ interests, academic levels, goals and schedules. These are perfect opportunities for students who want to pursue niche research / entrepreneurship projects.

Accelerated Research Program

Combining both recorded and live sessions with the Faculty Advisor, this program allows students to achieve tangible outcomes and potentially earn a letter of recommendation in a short period of time. Learn more

 

Customized 1-on-1 Program

Customized programs are highly personalized based on students’ interests, academic levels, goals and schedules. They are perfect opportunities for students who want to pursue unique, even niche research / entrepreneurship projects.

 

Upcoming Events

  • From Prep to Prime: How to Strategically Plan Your Applications to Stand Out

    Sunday, April 21, 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern

    Live Zoom webinar

    Language: English

Alumni Feedback

  • "I appreciate this research opportunity by Scholar Launch. I have grown so much as a researcher. Through this research program, I have significantly expanded my knowledge in the data science field and gained valuable experience in coding in R and LaTex. Thank you once again for this wonderful opportunity and I aspire to continue to pursue higher achievements in this field."

    Student S • Subject: Engineering and Robotics

  • "I would like to thank Dr. W for his tremendous support through this project, as well as Vanessa for guiding me on this research journey every step of the way. I would also like to thank the rest of you working behind the scenes to keep me on track, and making this opportunity possible."

    Student M • Subjects: Neuroscience, Medicine and Music

  • "Thanks to our research program, I obtained a deeper understanding of the video gaming industry, and I am grateful that now I am prepared to spread the knowledge to my peers… There is no word to express my gratitude. Undeniably, it is my most unforgettable summer learning experience."

    Student P • Subject: Art History

  • "I would like to say that, without your support throughout my gap year during the research program and post-program, I would not be where I am today. So, thank you. I am grateful for you being part of my education as a researcher and world explorer. I am excited to see where research will lead me eventually."

    Student J • Subject: International Relations

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Group programs usually have a set theme and schedule. One-on-one programs are much more flexible regarding schedule and topic. Students on a One-on-One program also have 2 more sessions with the professor and a better chance to win a letter of recommendation. Relatively speaking, the price of individualized programs is higher.

  • We do not guarantee a Letter of Recommendation. The reasons are:

    1) It is unethical. A “guaranteed” letter would mean that the company has a template in hand that they are using for many of their students. This strongly violates academic integrity.

    2) We encourage students to win their letters of recommendation by actively performing during live sessions and completing their work on time and to a high standard. Most professors would happily recommend a diligent and responsible student to selective colleges.

  • Students may be able to use their Scholar Launch research project as a starting point for competing in a future long-term science fair, but this is not the primary purpose of our research programs. Individual professors/TAs may have such experience or even be involved in the competitions, but the main goal of our research program is to help our students to produce original work.

  • The groups are very small (5 students maximum). When the cohort of admitted students is finalized, we send around a timesheet in which students indicate their availability.

  • Yes, absolutely. Some students take longer than others, but if you put in 4 hours a week consistently you should have no problem completing a 6-10 page research paper with proper citations. However, it is essential to follow the advice of your instructors and choose a suitably narrow research topic.

  • Junior Programs are entry-level research programs for middle school students. They are good for students to explore interests and comprehensively acquire subject knowledge. Advanced Research Programs are for high school students to conduct research at collegiate level and produce academic research papers.

  • Yes! That is the objective for many students. We advise students to research a range of publication outlets. Then, the student should submit their work to their chosen outlet.

    If a student completes their paper, we will help them to choose where to submit it. Most journals that provide the opportunity for students to publish their work will not just say "yes" or "no" - instead, if it's a "no" they will provide detailed feedback which, if the student revises and resubmits their work, may also lead to publication.

    For students who have a tight admission timeline, some of our partners can offer “pre-print” service to help expedite the review process.

    Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to complete their paper and it is the student’s decision about how they wish to publish or otherwise disseminate their work. Our instructors and central education team will provide students with tailored advice on the opportunities awaiting their paper or project.

  • Each student selects their own research topic and writes their own paper. It is important to us that every student achieves their own independent outcome from our research program. Students also work 1-on-1 with the TA. The group format is only for the sessions with the professor, to maximize the seminar-style experience and collective learning opportunity.

  • Yes, we can offer additional TA sessions for a small additional fee.

  • You can contact our program coordinator with 24 hours notice. Where possible, the team will send you a recorded session with all the class materials, and review your progress to ensure you are up to date.