Research Lab: International Format

Research Lab: International Format offers the same labs, lab directors, and methodology as our Princeton Labs program. This format pairs weekly Zoom mentorship with three weeks in Princeton each year: concentrated in-person time at the start and end of the year, with weekly contact across the middle.

The program runs for a full year. Students meet weekly over Zoom, attend Princeton for two weeks at the start, conduct their research through the year with mentorship, and return to Princeton for one closing week the following summer.

Programs are taught in English. Students must be comfortable doing research, writing, and presenting in English. For background on how our labs work and what we expect from students, see the Princeton Labs page.

The program begins with two weeks in Princeton. Students meet their research group (up to 5 students) and lab director in person, choose a research question, and build the foundation for their project.

During these two weeks, students complete the full Microscopy and Spectroscopy courses. They also begin Statistics, Machine Learning, and Wolfram Mathematica, which continue online during the year.

Each in-person day lasts 3.5 hours: 2 hours for Research Skills Courses and 1.5 hours for project work with the lab director.

By the end of the opening session, each student leaves with a clear research plan and the technical skills needed to begin.

During the school year, students meet weekly on Zoom. Meetings are 1.5 hours with the group and lab director. Sessions follow the same calendar as regular Princeton Labs: Fall (Sep–Jan, 16 weeks) and Spring (Feb–May, 16 weeks).

These meetings focus on research progress and project guidance. The three remaining Research Skills Courses (Statistics, Machine Learning, and Wolfram Mathematica) are also completed during the year.

The program ends with one week in Princeton the following summer. Students return in July or August, depending on their cohort. The week is used for presentations, discussions, and project defenses; work on publishing and sharing results; and identifying potential collaborations and future directions. Interaction with the next year's incoming cohort may also be included.

Approximately 100 hours of structured time across the year, half in Princeton and half on Zoom.

• Year-round weekly Zoom meetings with your group and lab director
• Three weeks in person at Princeton (two-week opening + one-week closing)
• All Research Skills Courses:
  • Automating Experiments with Arduino (during opening, in person)
  • Practical Microscopy (during opening, in person)
  • Practical Spectroscopy (during opening, in person)
  • Applied Statistics with R (kickoff during opening, completion online during the year)
  • Applied Machine Learning with Python (kickoff during opening, completion online during the year)
  • Modeling and Simulations with Wolfram Mathematica (kickoff during opening, completion online during the year)
• Access to a Personal AI Research Mentor
• SoTS membership for the program duration
• Eligibility to publish in our peer-reviewed journal and magazine
• Eligibility to present at the SoTS Science Conference for Teenagers
• Certificate of Research Training upon successful completion

Travel, lodging, and meals during in-person weeks are not included. Families arrange these independently.

A delivery format built around a year-long, bundled commitment with concentrated in-person time at the start and end of the year. Common situations:

• Students outside the United States.
• US families far from Princeton.
• Families who prefer a single annual commitment over semester-by-semester enrollment.
• Families who want research mentorship and the Research Skills Courses bundled in one program.

Two cohorts each year. Pick the one that fits your calendar:

• July Cohort.
  Opening 2027: July (exact dates set with each cohort once it fills), central Princeton, NJ.
  Closing 2028: July, central Princeton, NJ.
• August Cohort.
  Opening 2027: August (exact dates set with each cohort once it fills), central Princeton, NJ.
  Closing 2028: August, central Princeton, NJ.

To join this format, you need:

• A short interview with the lab director.
• Ability to come to Princeton for two weeks at the start and one week at the end of the year.
• Comfort doing research, writing, and presenting in English.

The in-person weeks are short-term, part-time, and non-credit, which is generally compatible with B-2 visitor visa requirements. We do not sponsor visas.

After acceptance, we provide a program description letter to support your visa application. Visa issuance is at the discretion of US consular officers.

If your visa is denied and you can document the denial, we provide a full refund.