RSI Academic Program

At the core of the RSI academic program is an intensive, six-week introduction to scientific research.  In fields ranging from category theory to cancer research, participants gain firsthand experience with open-ended, scientific inquiry in leading laboratories in the Boston area.  Academic, corporate, and government-sponsored research teams invite RSI students to join in their ongoing projects, providing students an opportunity to make an original contribution in their fields.

Many RSI students use their RSI research projects as a basis for entry to science competitions, garnering top awards in the annual Intel Science Talent Search, International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the Siemens Science and Technology Competition, and the All-USA High School Academic Scholarship. Some are recognized by their labs with co-authorship credit on journal articles, and a few rejoin their labs as undergraduate or graduate students.

Students invited to the program receive free tuition, room, and board. Their only expense is transportation from their homes to MIT. This allows CEE to select RSI students solely on the basis of their accomplishments and intellectual potential.

RSI is made possible through the support of individuals, parents, alumni and corporations. CEE has received grants from the National Science Foundation, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and the Agency for International Development.