Frequently Asked Questions

RISE Research provides a selective online research mentorship program for high school students. Our students work one-on-one with PhD mentors to produce a publishable research paper.

Download the program brochure here.

Your mentor is a PhD or postdoctoral scholar from universities like Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and MIT. You are matched based on the interest areas you share in your application form.

Meet our mentors here.

RISE reports that 500+ PhD mentors have worked with 1,000+ students across 40+ countries.

See our admissions results here.

RISE uses a three-mentor model. Every student gets a research mentor, a writing coach, and a program manager.

• Your research mentor provides academic direction.
• A dedicated writing coach works with you from the first draft through to publication support.
• Your program manager runs check-ins and feedback sessions to keep you on track.
• Students can reach their mentors outside class hours through a dedicated Google Chat space.

Compare the RISE programs.

Some of the areas RISE scholars have pursued are Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Medicine and Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Physics and Astrophysics, Engineering and Robotics, Mathematics, Economics and Quantitative Finance, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Business, Law, International Relations, Environmental Studies, History, Philosophy, Sociology, and Linguistics. This is not an exhaustive list.

You can see more subject areas in our brochure.

Hear directly from RISE scholars.

Read reviews on Trustpilot.

We offer two programs. The Standard Program costs US$2,000 and covers 10 weeks of research and writing, with the end goal of a college-level research paper. The Premium Program costs US$2,500 and covers 10 weeks of research and writing plus three months of publication, conference, and competition support.

Compare both programs here.

You get 5 one-on-one sessions with your research mentor and 5 one-on-one sessions with your writing coach, over 10 weeks. The outcome is a college-level research paper along with a Letter of Recommendation from your PhD research mentor. The program costs US$2,000.

You get 8 one-on-one sessions with your research mentor and 8–12 one-on-one sessions with your writing coach, plus three months of publication support. The program supports you in preparing and submitting a research paper to a peer-reviewed high school journal, along with a Letter of Recommendation from your PhD research mentor. The program costs US$2,500. Journal acceptance is not guaranteed.

If you want publication support for your research paper, choose the Premium Program.

Book a consultation call to talk through the differences and the right fit.

Three mentors work with every student. Your research mentor gives directional guidance. Your writing coach gives execution-level guidance. Your program manager runs check-ins and feedback sessions to keep you on track. The same three mentors stay with you for the entire program and do not change.

In Week 1 you choose your topic and research question. In Weeks 2 to 4 you build your research design and hypotheses. In Weeks 4 to 6 you write the paper. In Weeks 6 to 8 you make final edits. In Weeks 9 to 10 you submit to a journal. Publication timing depends on the journal and its review cycle.

You will have two hours of live sessions each week, and about three hours of independent research and writing outside class hours. This fits comfortably around a full school timetable.

No. Most students come in with a broad interest area. Your research mentor helps you narrow it into a specific research question during the program.

Yes. If your mentor is not aligned with your research focus area, you can request a swap and our team will remap you.

Our mentor mapping team pairs you with a research mentor based on the specific interest areas and goals you highlight in your application form. Mapping takes about 7 to 10 days. It can be fast-tracked on a case-by-case basis.

RISE runs cohorts throughout the year in spring, summer, fall, and winter, on rolling admissions.

See cohort information in our brochure.

Sessions are scheduled directly with your mentor, around your school timetable and time zone.

To request leave for exams, travel, medical reasons, or personal reasons, contact the RISE team at [email protected]. The program accommodates up to two weeks of leave. Special extensions can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. Every student gets a dedicated Google Chat space for ongoing conversation with their mentors between scheduled sessions.

No ethical academic program can guarantee acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal. RISE provides full publication support, including journal matching, formatting, and revisions.

RISE scholars have published in journals including the Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI), the National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS), the International Journal of High School Research (IJHSR), and The Concord Review, among others. RISE supports publication across over 30 peer-reviewed journals.

Explore student publications.

Publication typically takes one to three months after your paper is complete. The exact timeline depends on the journal you target and its review cycle.

RISE scholars have been admitted to universities including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge.

See the full breakdown and the admissions report.

The paper can support the activities section and supplemental essays. It also gives admissions officers something they can independently verify. Students can describe their research, their contribution, and any publication in their applications.

Publication can demonstrate intellectual initiative and sustained work in a subject beyond the school curriculum. Students can use their research to explain their interests and the skills they developed. A publication does not guarantee admission.

Yes. A Letter of Recommendation from your PhD research mentor is included in both the Standard Program and the Premium Program.

There are four steps. First, a parent consultation call. Second, the research application form. Third, profile shortlisting. Fourth, program onboarding and your mentor match.

You can start with a call.

Open the RISE application form.

We accept applications on a rolling basis.

See cohort information in our brochure.

The RISE team reviews your profile and lets you know the outcome, usually within two to three days. If you are accepted, you will receive an acceptance letter. Once you confirm your enrollment, onboarding can begin.

The Standard Program costs US$2,000. The Premium Program costs US$2,500.

View the payment terms (PDF).

There is no application fee.

The payment terms cover tuition refunds, course withdrawal, course content, cancellation, student conduct, and clarifications.

View the full payment terms (PDF).

Read the payment terms below.

If you have any questions about the payment policies or these terms, please email us at [email protected]

We do not offer scholarships or financial aid at this time.

If a student or family requests a refund, the refund amount will be based upon the time in the course.

The amount of refund will be 80% of tuition if before Week 1 (first session), 50% before Week 3, 25% before Week 5 and 0% after that.

View the payment terms (PDF).

To withdraw from a course after it begins, students must notify RISE Research in writing of their intention to withdraw. Students may do so by emailing [email protected]

Read the full payment terms.