A program can welcome international students and still be unaffordable or unavailable to you. Citizenship, school year, and funding rules differ between programs.
Start with the international-student opportunity collection for a shortlist. This guide explains how to read the requirements before you spend time on an application.
Check the application route first
Some programs accept a direct application from any country. Others select international students through national partners. A past participant from your country does not prove that applications are open there this year.
Write down your country of citizenship, where you attend school, and your expected graduation date. These details answer different eligibility questions. A program can restrict residence even when it accepts several citizenships.
If the official page does not address your situation, contact the organizer. Ask one specific question: “I attend school in Kenya and graduate in November 2028. Am I eligible for this cycle?”
Three programs with different rules
Research Science Institute
RSI combines STEM coursework with a mentored research project. CEE describes it as cost-free to students. High school juniors are eligible, while seniors are not.
International applicants need to check their country's participation and selection process with CEE. Do not assume that the U.S. application route applies everywhere. CEE's international outreach page explains how to find the appropriate national contact.
Before applying, read the official RSI overview and application instructions. Ask which travel or application expenses apply to your route.
Yale Young Global Scholars
YYGS is an academic enrichment program, rather than a placement in a research laboratory. It accepts applications from all countries. Students must meet its age, school-year, graduation-date, English-language, and first-time-participant requirements.
For the 2027 cycle, Yale lists a two-week residential tuition of $7,500. Need-based aid can cover up to the full tuition for domestic and international students. Travel is separate.
Read Yale's eligibility requirements and tuition and aid page. Check whether the academic session matches your interests before paying an application fee.
PROMYS
PROMYS at Boston University is a six-week residential mathematics program. Its published requirements include being 14 to 18, completing ninth grade, and not yet attending college full time.
International students can apply, but admission and aid are separate decisions. PROMYS considers international financial aid case by case. Do not treat its income-based offer for domestic students as a guarantee for international applicants.
The student overview lists program requirements. The international-student page explains funding and application considerations. Its listed 2026 price is historical, so check the price for your intended summer.
Work out the total cost
Record tuition, housing, meals, travel, insurance, and application charges separately. Then record which costs an aid award actually covers.
An award covering full tuition does not necessarily include flights. A free program can still leave you with travel costs. Request a fee waiver before you submit a paid application if the organizer offers one.
Visa and entry requirements depend on your circumstances. Use the organizer's instructions and official government information. A program invitation does not guarantee permission to enter a country.
Build a shortlist you can use
For each program, save the official source, your eligibility notes, the application deadline, and the date you checked it. Mark missing information as unknown.
Choose programs with different purposes. A proof-based mathematics course, an interdisciplinary seminar, and a laboratory placement offer different experiences. None is automatically the best choice for every student.
Keep one option that does not require international travel. The virtual research collection can help you compare remote routes. You can also start with an open-data project while applications are pending.
The programs above were checked against their official pages on November 10, 2026. Rules and prices can change. The organizer's current instructions control your application.
