For Grades
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Interested in bringing Unite to your institution? Unite is currently recruiting 2024-2025 host sites through a Request for Proposal (RFP). Responses to the RFP are due on Monday, December 4, 2023. Learn more here.

Unite is a four-to-six week, pre-collegiate summer experience for talented high school students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM. Held at higher education institutions across the country, Unite encourages students to pursue college majors and careers in engineering and other STEM-related fields through a program of focused hands-on rigorous academics, enrichment and career exploration.

You'll Get To...

  • learn how science, technology, engineering and mathematics have applications in the real world
  • gain confidence in your ability to participate in STEM activities
  • collaborate and solve problems as a member of a team
  • learn firsthand from college students and professionals how engaging STEM studies and careers can be
  • be better prepared to pursue STEM majors in college and, ultimately, in future careers

Eligibility

  • Rising 9th through rising 12th grade students are eligible.
  • Students must be from groups historically underserved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Eligibility varies by location; check the specific site listing for additional information.

The AEOP defines underserved participants as those who possess at least two of the following criteria: 

  • attend a rural, urban, or frontier/tribal school
  • low-income students (FARMS)
  • females in certain STEM fields (e.g., physical science, computer science, mathematics or engineering)
  • identify as racial/ethnic minority in STEM (i.e., Alaska Native, Native American, Black or African American, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, other)
  • students with English as a second language (ELL)
  • first generation college student (1stGEN)
  • students with disabilities (ADA)
    • Military child – dependents of members of the Active-Duty Armed Forces
    • Military-connected – military child plus the dependents of members of the National Guard and Reserves
    • Military-affiliated – military-connected plus the dependents of Veterans
    • Military-connected schools – schools where a minimum of 15% of the student population is military-connecteddependent of a military service member or veteran

Summer 2024 Unite sites information coming soon.

Information for Volunteers

Unite programs engage volunteers to interact with students (as program assistants, mentors, speakers, etc.) during the summer. Inquiries about volunteering should be sent to specific Unite site directors.

Important Dates

February 2024
Student applications open

May 2024
Student applications closed

March – May 2024
Selected students notified by Unite site directors (varies by site)

June – August 2024
Students participate in Unite program (varies by site)

Downloadable Materials

Interested in This Program?

If you are interested in this program contact Mimi Leonard by email. We'd love to hear from you!

  • Brandon Kim

    FEATURED STUDENT

    Brandon Kim

    Unite

    Read The Story
  • From Band World to STEM: A Musical Educator’s Journey to Inspire Future Innovators

    Unite ON THE BLOG

    From Band World to STEM: A Musical Educator’s Journey to Inspire Future Innovators

    October 30, 2023

    Read The Story
  •  

    Program Locations

    Click a highlighted state to find a location near you

    Colorado Springs, CO
    University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS)
    Site Director: Ms. Vicki Taylor
    Program dates: June 5 – 30, 2023, In-Person
    This program supports Pre-Collegiate high school students that are interested in exploring career opportunities in the area of engineering and technology. The Pre-Collegiate program recruits students that are rising 10th-12th grade students that are first generation, low income and/or military dependent.

    Homestead, FL
    Miami Dade College, Homestead (MDCH)
    Site Director: Ms. Jasmine Johnson
    Program dates: June 19 – July 28, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students enrolled in the Miami Dade College, Homestead Upward Bound program.

    Tallahassee, FL
    Florida State University (FSU)

    Site Directors: Dr. Faye Jones and Mr. Ebe Randeree
    Program dates: May 30 – June 29, 2023, In-Person
    FSU iCamp is offered to rising 9-12th graders from Leon, Gadsden, or Wakulla Counties who are interested in developing or enhancing their technology and computing skills, and aspire to a STEM major and career. Preference will be given to eligible students who are nominated by a STEM teacher at Title I schools or who apply through the AEOP online registration system.

    Savannah, GA
    Savannah State University (SSU)
    Site Director: Dr. Asad Yousuf
    Program dates: June 5 – July 10, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 10th through rising 11th grade students enrolled in the Savannah State University Upward Bound program.

    Indianapolis, IN
    University of Indianapolis (UIndy)
    Site Director: Dr. Paul Talaga and David Olawale
    Program dates: June 19 – 30, 2023 and July 10 – 21, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through 12th grade students from the Indianapolis area.

    Lawrence, KS
    University of Kansas (KU)
    Site Director: Ms. Marilynn Chavez
    Program Dates: June 5 – July 14, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted only from students enrolled in the KU Upward Bound program, or the KU Upward Bound Math Science-LT program.

    Baltimore, MD
    Morgan State University (MSU)*
    Site Director: Dr. Candice Marshall
    Program dates: June 21 – July 28, 2023, Hybrid – virtual for 5 weeks, last week on campus
    Applications will be accepted from rising juniors and seniors anywhere!
    *THIS SITE IS NO LONGER TAKING APPLICATIONS

    Jackson, MS
    Jackson State University (JSU)
    Site Director: Dr. Francis Tuluri
    Program dates: June 5 – 30, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted only from rising 9th-grade level (going from 8th grade to 9th grade) students centered around Jackson State University within a radius of about 30 miles, targeting students having interest in pursuing STEM careers. For more information about qualifications, eligibility, and the application process, please visit www.jsums.edu/unite.

    St. Louis, MO
    Washington University, St. Louis School of Medicine
    Site Director: Dr. Tracey O. Hermanstyne and Ms. Lauren Johnson
    Program dates: July 7 – August 2, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from 9th through rising 12th grade students enrolled in St. Louis Metropolitan area high schools in Missouri who have an interest in Science and Research.

    Butte, MT
    Montana Tech (MT)
    Site Directors: Amy Verlanic and Adam Maes
    Program dates: June 25 – July 28, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from low-income, first-generation students who have completed 8th grade and will be attending Anaconda, Butte, Helena, or Capital high schools in Montana. For more information about qualifications and the application process, please visit https://institute.mtech.edu/trio_ub/.

    Newark, NJ
    New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
    Site Director: Ms. Kerry Eberhardt
    Program dates: July 5 – August 3, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 10th grade girls living within commuting distance of NJIT.

    Albuquerque, NM
    University of New Mexico (UNM)
    Site Director: Ms. Elsa Castillo
    Program Dates: June 5 – 30, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th, 10th and 11th grade students from any school within the state of New Mexico. Please contact the University of New Mexico UNITE Team for details at ess@unm.edu (Subject Line: UNITE program) or call (505-280-1833).

    Fayetteville, NC
    Fayetteville State University (FSU)
    Site Director: Ms. Kendra Simon
    Program dates: June 5 – 30, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students who are currently enrolled in the FSU TRIO Talent Search program at Fayetteville State University.

    Greensboro, NC
    North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCAT)
    Site Director: Dr. Robert Cobb, Jr.
    Program dates: June 19 – July 21, 2023, Virtual
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students currently participating in the NCAT Educational Talent Search program.

    Stillwater, OK
    Oklahoma State University
    Site Director: Mr. Hieu Lê
    Program dates: June 12 – July 21, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students who are new or continuing Upward Bound participants from across five school districts in rural, north-central Oklahoma.

    Philadelphia, PA
    University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
    Site Director: Ms. Chanda Jefferson
    Program dates: July 10 – August 4, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th and rising 10th grade students enrolled in Philadelphia (PA) Public Schools.

    San Juan, PR
    University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras (UPR, RP)
    Site Directors: Dr. Jose Nieves and Dr. Peter Feng
    Program dates: June 6 – July 11, 2023, In-Person
    Applications will be accepted from rising 9th through rising 11th grade students from the Puerto Rico area. Applications for the 2023 summer program will be accepted until Monday, April 3rd, 2023.

    San Antonio, TX
    University of the Incarnate Word (UIW)
    Site Director: Stephanie Weiss-Lopez
    Program dates: June 5 – 30, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 10th grade female students from the San Antonio area.

    Odessa, TX
    The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB)
    Site Director: George Nnanna, Ph.D.
    Program dates: July 10 – August 4, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students enrolled in Permian High School, Odessa High School, Midland High School, Early College High School, UTPB STEM Academy, and New Tech high schools in Odessa and Midland Texas.

    Blacksburg, VA
    Virginia Tech (VT)
    Site Director: Ms. Frances Clark
    Program dates: June 12 – 30, 2023 and July 10 – 28, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from high school students enrolled in the VT Upward Bound program. New students may apply, but must attend a target high school, or live in the target area at the time of admission. For more information and to apply https://trioprograms.vt.edu/upwardbound.htm

    Petersburg, VA
    Virginia State University (VSU)
    Site Director: Dr. Michael Rainey
    Program dates: June 20 – July 16, 2023, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 11th grade students from all schools within a 50-mile radius.

    Huntington, WV
    Marshall University
    Site Director: Dr. Shelvy Campbell
    Program dates: June 4 – 29, 2023, On-site Residential
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students from surrounding states or other states if willing to travel.

     

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