Program Overview
The Research Development Institute focuses on conducting and engaging research. While different disciplines require different ways of conducting research, all disciplines require that one engage in research. To engage in research means to be responsive to and in conversation with others, their ideas, and their research methods. The different ways that we can engage and conduct research—and what we understand research to be—will be our topic of study. Come prepared to contribute your views on these topics and be willing to complicate your current views of research and the ways it can be conducted.
Over the course of two weeks you will conduct research on a topic of your choice, which means that when possible, we will focus on practical, applied work with primary and secondary sources, which should provide a good foundation for advanced research and writing in college, and we’ll give some thought to the different methods by which different audiences and scholarly disciplines select, analyze, evaluate, incorporate, and document the works of others. This program is ideal for students who want to develop their critical thinking and research skills, and explore deeper a specific academic interest or field of study. This is not a lab-based program. A copy of the 2024 syllabus is available here.
Dates
The Research Development Institute is a two-week, residential program offered from July 6-19, 2025.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Research Development Institute, you should:
- Be a current sophomore or junior in high school (graduating in 2027 or 2026).
We are looking for mature, academically motivated individuals enrolled in challenging curriculum which may include honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, if offered by their high schools. Individuals who are collaborative, intellectually curious, and creative thinkers thrive in our program.
Fees and Scholarships
The 2025 program fee for the Research Development Institute is $3,785 which includes all program activities, housing, and meals. Need-based scholarship assistance is available. Children of WashU employees and returning participants are eligible for a 10% discount. Additional details on fees, need-based scholarships, and discounts are available here.
Grading and Evaluation
Our summer institutes are ideal for individuals who want to experience college-level curriculum without the pressure of a letter grade. Class sizes are small (typically between 15-20 participants) to ensure participants receive personalized feedback from instructors. These programs are designed for participants to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and consider new ideas.
Although summer institutes are noncredit, they are rigorous. Participants are evaluated based on attendance and engagement in class activities, completion of assignments, quality of work produced, as well as their ability to adhere to academic integrity standards and program policies. Because summer institutes are noncredit, no transferable credit is earned. At the end of the program, participants will receive a transcript for the course indicating whether requirements were met.
Acceptance and participation in summer institute course work and activities does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree program at WashU. For questions about the undergraduate admission process, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.
