Program Overview

Introduction to the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) provides transformative research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. Selected participants work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University and collaborating institutions using state-of-the-art technology across many disciplines.

Program Details

Program Structure

As part of the 8-week (June 18-August 12, 2026), full-time ASSIP internship, participants will:

• Gain hands-on experience using cutting-edge sophisticated equipment and technologies
• Develop and exercise scientific writing and communication skills
• Explore STEM career choices through discussion forums and meetings with role models
• Develop and exercise creative skills, crucial to performing innovative research
• Earn three college credits from George Mason University

Eligibility

• Minimum ages:
  • Interns for remote internships must be 15 years or older by June 18, 2026
  • Interns for in-person or hybrid internships in computer labs must be 15 years or older by June 18, 2026
  • Interns for "wet-lab" in-person or hybrid internships must be 16 or older by June 18, 2026
• Maximum age: There is no maximum age limit, as long as the applicant has not graduated from university before or during their internship

Benefits of Summer Research Internships

A significant body of data supports the importance of STEM students engaging in summer research experiences. Summer-long research allows students to make meaningful contributions to society at a young age, and to participate in STEM practices that promote student STEM content understanding, skills, and STEM self-identity and self-efficacy.

Research Areas

Scientific areas of focus include:

• Astronomy
• Proteomics and molecular medicine
• Chemistry and biochemistry
• Drug discovery
• Bioengineering
• STEM-related business/finance and entrepreneurship
• Sustainable botany
• Environmental science and policy
• Forensic science
• Geography, geographic information, and spatial sciences
• Neuroscience
• Mathematical modeling
• Physics
• Atmospheric, oceanic, and earth sciences
• Climate change
• Biology
• Disease diagnostics
• STEM education
• Nanoscience
• Renewable energy
• Computer simulations
• Computer modeling
• Machine learning
• Cybersecurity
• Data mining
• Data science for social good
• Women's health issues
• Infectious disease and epidemiology
• Game design and serious games
• Tissue repair and regeneration
• Coastal flooding
• Urban hydrology
• Civil engineering
• Human-computer interactions
• Software engineering
• Bioelectronic interfaces and assistive technology
• Wireless security
• Materials failure
• Micro-
  ano-manufacturing
• Robotics
• Psychology and neuroscience of human interactions and learning
• Solar space weather
• Exoplanet discovery
• Planetary atmospheres and life
• Evolutionary molecular ecology
• Bird populations
• Scientific business and enterprise

Program Costs

• Every applicant must pay a $25 application fee, which may be waived based on financial need
• For those applicants who are offered internship positions, acceptance of the internship position is secured by paying tuition ($1299) for 3-credits of undergraduate coursework, which can also be waived with demonstrated financial need

Application Process

The 2026 ASSIP application is now open. Applications will be accepted through Sunday, February 15, 2026. The application process includes:

• Submission of the application
• Review of applications by prospective mentors in early March
• Interviews with selected applicants
• Extension of internship offers by the first week in April
• Notification of application status to all applicants by the second week of April

Outcome

Hard work may pay off with participants' names published in scientific journals and their work presented at scientific conferences. The program aims to provide a transformative research experience, allowing students to make meaningful contributions to society and participate in STEM practices that promote student STEM content understanding, skills, and STEM self-identity and self-efficacy.