# Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience

Six-week paid summer research internship (~$4,200 stipend) in plant science and computational biology at the Boyce Thompson Institute on Cornell's campus, for students 16+ living within commuting distance of Ithaca, NY.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Boyce Thompson Institute |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 10–11 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Ithaca, NY |
| Time commitment | ~40 hours/week |
| Apply | https://btiscience.org/education-and-outreach/research-experiences/high-school-research-experience/ |

## About this program

# Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience

The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), an independent plant-science research institute located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York, runs a paid summer research experience for local high school students. Interns spend six weeks working full-time inside BTI, Cornell, and USDA labs on projects spanning plant molecular biology, plant-microbe interactions, bioinformatics, and biological engineering of plant systems.

## What You'll Do

- Complete a mentored research project with at least one research mentor (a graduate student or postdoc) plus a faculty mentor
- Work full-time Monday through Friday in the lab, joining regular lab meetings
- Read scientific literature, write a research proposal, and attend weekly professional development seminars
- Present your findings as a scientific poster at the George and Helen Kohut Symposium in August

## Who Should Apply

Current high school students (not graduating seniors) who are at least 16 years old by the program start and live year-round within roughly an hour's commute of Ithaca, NY. No prior research experience is required. Interns receive an educational stipend of approximately $4,200; housing is not provided. Applications open in late fall and close the first Friday of March.

## Outcomes

Interns leave with a completed, poster-presented research project, mentors in academic science, and paid lab experience at one of the country's leading plant-biology institutes - preparation that regularly leads alumni into university research positions and STEM majors.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience cost?

Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience?

Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience is open to high school students in grades 10–11. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience online or in person?

Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience is an in-person program based in Ithaca, NY. Expect a time commitment of roughly 40 hours per week.

### How do I apply to Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Experience?

Apply directly through Boyce Thompson Institute's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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