Polygence Research Program

Polygence is an online, individualized research mentorship program for middle and high school students. Students choose their own research topic and work 1:1 with an expert mentor, typically a PhD-level researcher or academic.

1:1 mentorship with an expert mentor, including PhD-level researchers. Opportunity to choose your own research topic and question. Development of an independent research project over 3–6 months. Development of research, critical thinking, academic writing, and project management skills. Creation of a substantial final product, such as a research paper, prototype, app, podcast, or another project. Opportunity to present research at the Polygence Symposium of Rising Scholars and showcase the project in the Research Archive of Rising Scholars. Access to resources and guidance for publishing research, entering competitions, science fairs, and other academic opportunities. Wide range of research fields, including medicine, neuroscience, AI, computer science, economics, psychology, humanities, and social sciences. Full scholarships are available through the Research for Impact Scholarship. In 2026, five students were selected to receive full funding for the Core Program.

Age: The regular Polygence program does not have a strict minimum or maximum age requirement and is primarily designed for school students. Academic interest: Applicants should have a strong interest in an academic topic and be willing to work independently on a project. Previous research experience: Not required for most projects. Some projects, particularly those requiring advanced programming or other technical skills, may require relevant prior experience. Students must be able to meet regularly with their mentor online and complete independent work between sessions. Projects must be feasible without access to a professional laboratory; Polygence does not provide laboratory facilities. Certain projects involving hazardous materials, human/animal experimentation, biological fluids, controlled substances, or other restricted research activities are not permitted. For the full scholarship: applicants must meet additional eligibility requirements, including being 14–18 years old (Grades 8–12), having a household income below $100,000 per year, and proposing a research project with potential for meaningful positive impact. International students are eligible.