Program Overview

Introduction to the Fast-track Research Immersion Program

The Fast-track Research Immersion (FtRI) program is a research-intensive, structured, and mentored experience designed to equip participants with the skills and discipline content knowledge built during the first two semesters of the First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program. Upon completion of the FtRI program, students will be admitted to the third and final semester of the FRI program in the following fall semester, where they will have the opportunity to complete their proposed research projects alongside current FRI students in one of the ten research streams.

About the FtRI Program

FtRI consists of one, four-credit course over 5 weeks in the summer during Summer Session I. Participation in the program is a full-time (40 hr/wk) commitment. The FtRI course will cover the FRI program's Semester 1 research methods course and Semester 2 course, which covers theory, techniques, protocols, and data management of the research. Successful completion of FtRI will admit students to the FRI program in the subsequent fall, where they will participate in the FRI program's Research Stream Part 2 course, which consists of applying the skills from FtRI to a research problem.

Research Experience

A dedicated Research Educator designs and oversees the research experience for each Research Stream in collaboration with a team of three to five tenure/tenure-track faculty members. Laboratories have been designed, constructed, and outfitted to provide the innovative infrastructure to fully integrate undergraduate students in leading-edge research in their Research Stream. For the research conducted, students will work in teams of three to five, developing teamwork and collaborative skills.

Course Credit and Requirements

These courses will count toward a Binghamton University degree. Upon completion of the FRI program in the fall with participation in the FRI Research Stream 2 course, the courses, together, will also fulfill the Composition and Laboratory general education requirements and count toward the major that corresponds to the rubric code of the courses. Students will be billed for 4 credits during the summer to cover participation in FtRI. In addition to tuition, there are comprehensive, laboratory, and activity fees.

Tuition Fees

The total course costs for the FtRI program are as follows:

• For NYS Residents:
  • Tuition: $295/credit x 4 credits = $1,180
  • Comprehensive Fee: $57.20/credit x 4 credits = $228.80
  • Laboratory Fee: $150
  • Total Course Costs: $1,558.80
• For Non-Residents:
  • Tuition: $1,123/credit x 4 credits = $4,492
  • Comprehensive Fee: $57.20/credit x 4 credits = $228.80
  • Laboratory Fee: $150
  • Total Course Costs: $4,870.80 Additional costs may include on-campus housing and a Biogeochemistry Field Station Fee for the Biogeochemistry FtRI stream.

Application Process

FtRI is particularly appropriate for STEM majors who have completed their first year and/or STEM majors who have not had an intensive research experience. Admission into the FtRI program is based on the student's academic record, indicating sufficient preparation to be successful, the student's essay indicating background and career aspirations, and letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the student's aptitude for science and/or engineering.

Eligibility Criteria

• Students must have had the equivalent of at least one year of college and introductory college science, math, and/or engineering (STEM) courses in their intended STEM major.
• AP scores of 4 or 5 may apply to that requirement.

Application Timeline

• The FtRI application for 2026 will open in December.
• FtRI has rolling admission, and application review starts March 2nd, 2026.
• The number of slots in the FtRI program is limited, so early application is recommended.
• Applicants are notified within a few weeks of the application deadline on April 5th, 2026.

Application Requirements

• For non-Binghamton University students, official college transcript(s) must be submitted for review of math and science courses.
• Transcripts should have the Social Security number (SSN) removed and be scanned clearly and legibly.
• Individual files should be under 2 MB, with a preferred file format of PDF.

Policies

• Honesty: Any deliberate falsification or omission of application data may result in rescinding of admission, denial of permission to enroll, or dismissal from courses.
• Admissions Materials: All admissions materials submitted by applicants become the property of the University.
• Program Switching: Once the summer program is begun by a student, the student cannot switch to another research stream.
• Grading Policy: Research Stream courses must be taken as regular grading (not pass/fail). To continue in the FRI program, students are expected to engage fully in the FtRI project, complete all assignments in the FtRI course satisfactorily, and demonstrate a steadily increasing ability to engage in research-specific projects. Students who fail to meet these standards will not be allowed to continue.