Selective
University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Science Internship Program (SIP)
Overview
High school students ages 14–17 work on authentic, open-ended research projects in science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and art under mentorship of UCSC researchers for 8 weeks during summer.
At a glance
Deadline
Feb 27107 days
Sessions
Jun6–8 wk sessions
Formats
Residential
Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Cost
$3,000–$6,999from $4,318
Entering grades
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Acceptance
Program receives thousands of applications for limited openings; rolling admission decisions begin April 10, 2026.
Application requirements
Research area preferences
Brief essays on research interests
Personal statement
Required
Transcript
Unofficial transcript
Academic reference
One from teacher, counselor, coach, or mentor; due by March 6, 2026
Application fee
$68 non-refundable; waivers available
Age requirement
Ages 14–17 for duration of program (June 15 – August 8, 2026); some projects require age 16+
Grade eligibility
High school students; ineligible if expected to graduate by summer
Citizenship
U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders, U.S. Residents, Canadian Citizens, F-1/J-1 visa holders, or Visa Waiver Program countries; international students reviewed case-by-case
English proficiency
Fluent English required
Time commitment
Full-time for entire 8-week program
Prior experience
Computer programming experience desired for computational projects
Cost & sessions
Base tuition $4,250 plus application fee $68. Housing options: Full-Week (7 nights) $7,350 or Weekly Commuter (5 nights) $5,250, both including 3 daily meals. Optional: Linens $55, Gym $100, Monday/Friday Shuttle $560, Airport services $100 each way. Total base example: $12,418 with full-week housing. Need-based scholarships available covering 25–100% of costs for approximately one-third of interns.
Financial aid
Need-based financial aid available; awards cover 25%, 50%, 75%, or up to 100% of deposit, tuition, shuttle transportation, room, and board. Approximately one-third of interns receive aid annually. Limited application fee waivers available. Financial need does not affect admission decisions.
Browse similar programs