For Grades
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12

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.

Applications for Summer 2024 Unite programs are now OPEN. Explore the map below for details on available locations and application links.

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

Applications for Summer 2024 Unite programs are now OPEN. Explore the map below for details on available locations and application links.

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)

More Information

Interested in This Program?

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

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    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 6 – 28, 2024, 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.

    Apply here.

    Homestead, FL
    Miami Dade College, Homestead (MDCH)
    Site Director: Ms. Jasmine Johnson
    Program dates: June 17 – July 26, 2024, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students enrolled in the Miami Dade College, Homestead Upward Bound program.

    Apply here.

    Tallahassee, FL
    Florida State University (FSU)

    Site Directors: Dr. Faye Jones and Mr. Ebe Randeree
    Program dates: June 3 – 28, 2024, 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.

    Apply here.

    Savannah, GA
    Savannah State University (SSU)
    Site Director: Dr. Asad Yousuf
    Program dates: June 10 – July 22, 2024, On-site Residential
    Applications accepted from rising 10th through rising 11th grade students enrolled in the Savannah State University Upward Bound program.

    Apply here.

    Iowa City, IA
    University of Iowa
    Site Director: Jennifer Lynch 
    Program dates: June 24 – August 2, 2024, On-site Residential
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students enrolled in the University of Iowa Upward Bound program.

    Apply here.

    Lawrence, KS
    University of Kansas (KU)
    Site Director: Ms. Marilynn Chavez
    Program Dates: June 3 – July 11, 2024, On-site Residential
    Applications accepted only from students enrolled in the KU Upward Bound program, or the KU Upward Bound Math Science-LT program.

    Apply here.

    Baltimore, MD
    Morgan State University (MSU)
    Site Director: Dr. Candice Marshall
    Program dates: June 17 – July 26, 2024, Hybrid – virtual for 3 weeks, 3 weeks week on campus.
    Internal application open until March 31. Applications will be accepted from rising juniors and seniors anywhere!

    Apply here.

    Butte, MT
    Montana Tech (MT)
    Site Director: Adam Maes
    Program dates: June 16 – July 27, 2024, On-site Residential
    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/

    Apply here.

    Missoula, MT
    University of Montana
    Site Director: Dannette Fadness
    Program dates: June 16 – July 26, 2024, On-site Residential
    Applications accepted from low-income, first-generation students who have completed 8th and will be attending Missoula, MT high schools or Browning or Heart Butte high schools on the Blackfeet Nation. For more information about qualifications and the application process, please visit https://www.umt.edu/trio-upward-bound/

    Apply here.

    Fayetteville, NC
    Fayetteville State University (FSU)
    Site Director: Ms. Kendra Simon and Melody Cole 
    Program dates: June 3 – 28, 2024, 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.

    Apply here.

    Greensboro, NC 
    North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCAT)
    Site Director: Dr. Robert Cobb, Jr.
    Program dates: June 10 – July 11, 2024, Hybrid
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students currently participating in the NCAT Educational Talent Search program. 

    Apply here.

    Raleigh NC
    North Carolina State University
    Site Director: Maurice Mathis
    Program dates: June 16 – July 18, 2024 (excludes week of July 4), On-site Residential
    Applications will be accepted primarily from rising 11th graders enrolled in the NC State TRIO Upward Bound program. Additionally, as spots are available, applications will be accepted from rising 12th graders enrolled in the NC State TRIO Upward Bound program. Priority will be given to students who express an interest in STEM fields and who show academic promise as evidenced through GPA’s, test scores, courses taken, and recommendations. For more information, please contact Dr. Maurice Mathis @ mamathi2@ncsu.edu.

    Apply here.

    Newark, NJ
    New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
    Site Director: Ms. Kerry Eberhardt and Ms. Chayanne Tilton
    Program dates: July 8 – August 8, 2024, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 10th – 12th grade students living within commuting distance of NJIT.

    Apply here.

    NEW YORK
    Brentwood School District/Stony Brook University
    Site Director: Dr. Christine Veloso, Vincent Todisco and AnnMarie Madsen
    Program dates: July 7 – August 1, 2024,On-site Residential
    Applications accepted from rising 10th through rising 12th grade students currently enrolled in the Brentwood School District, Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). Motivated students with New York State residency, low-income status, and underrepresented ethnicity (African Americans/Black, Hispanic/Latino. American Indian or Alaskan Native) are eligible to apply.

    Apply here.

    Albuquerque, NM
    University of New Mexico (UNM)
    Site Director: Ms. Elsa Castillo; 505-280-1833 (texts or calls welcomed)
    Program Dates: June 3 – 28, 2024, 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)

    Apply here.

    Philadelphia, PA
    University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
    Site Director: Ms. Chanda Jefferson
    Program dates: July 8 – August 2, 2024, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 10th and rising 11th grade students enrolled in Philadelphia (PA) Public Schools.

    Apply here.

    San Juan, PR
    University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras (UPR, RP)
    Site Directors: Dr. Jose Nieves and Dr. Peter Feng
    Program dates: June 3 – 28, 2024, In-Person
    Applications will be accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students from the Puerto Rico area. Applications for the 2024 summer program will be accepted for review until Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024.
    Application form can be obtained from http://fisica.uprrp.edu/unite and can also be completed and submitted online. English and Spanish version. 2024 UNITE Internship Program – UPRRP (google.com) or Programa de Pasantías UNITE 2024 – UPRRP (google.com)

    Apply here.

    San Antonio, TX
    University of the Incarnate Word (UIW)
    Site Director: Stephanie Weiss-Lopez
    Program dates: July 8 – August 2, 2024, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 10th grade female students from the San Antonio area who are interested in exploring their intellectual curiosity through hands-on research with ground and air robotics.

    Apply here.

    Odessa, TX
    The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB)
    Site Director: George Nnanna, Ph.D.
    Program dates: Mid-June through Mid-July, 2024, 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.

    Apply here.

    Farmville, VA
    Longwood University
    Site Director: Sarah E. G. Porter
    Program dates: June 5 – July 3, 2024, In-person
    Applications are accepted from rising 9-12 graders in any public, private, or homeschool in the Farmville/Southside area (including but not limited to Prince Edward, Cumberland, Buckingham, Charlotte, Appomattox, Nottoway, and Amelia counties). Participants must be able to commute to Longwood daily for the duration of the program.

    Apply here.

    Blacksburg, VA
    Virginia Tech (VT)
    Site Director: Ms. Frances Clark
    Program dates: July 7 – August 2, 2024, On-site Residential
    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.html

    Apply here.

    Petersburg, VA
    Virginia State University (VSU)
    Site Director: Dr. Michael Rainey
    Program dates: June 24 – July 18, 2024, In-Person
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 11th grade students from all schools within a 50-mile radius. Additional requirements for consideration include the following: 

    1. A copy of the scholar’s current academic transcript.
    2. A short essay (minimum half page, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman) from the scholar explaining why he/she would like to attend this program (e.g., what he/she hopes to learn/gain from the program, how the program will inform/impact the academic major chosen in college and/or his/her ultimate career goal, etc.).

    Apply here.

    Huntington, WV
    Marshall University
    Site Director: Dr. Shelvy Campbell
    Program dates: June 2 – 28, 2024, On-site Residential
    Applications accepted from rising 9th through rising 12th grade students from surrounding states or other states if willing to travel.

    Apply here.

     

    • Colorado
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Maryland
    • Montana
    • North Carolina
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • New Mexico
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Texas
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia