10 research programs to consider if you didn't get into RSI | RISE Research

TL;DR: This list is for high school students who applied to the Research Science Institute and did not get in. It covers 10 serious alternatives, ranging from free residential programs to selective paid mentorship, that produce real academic outcomes. The single most important criterion for choosing is what you produce at the end, not the name on the program. If a published paper in an independent journal is the goal, RISE Research belongs at the top of your list. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable before your application deadlines.

You Did Not Get Into RSI. Here Is What to Do Next.

RSI rejects more than 97% of applicants. MIT PRIMES, PRIMES-USA, and similar programs have acceptance rates in the low single digits. If you received a rejection from one of these programs, you are in the company of students who go on to publish research, win national science competitions, and earn admission to MIT, Stanford, and Harvard. Rejection from a selective program is not a signal to stop pursuing research. It is a signal to find a different path to the same destination.

The 10 research programs to consider if you didn't get into RSI listed below were selected for one reason: they produce outcomes that matter on a college application. Each one was verified as active in 2026. Each one offers something substantive, not just a certificate or a participation record.

How We Ranked These Alternatives

These programs are ranked by four criteria, in order of importance.

First, what does the student produce? A published paper in an indexed journal carries more admissions weight than a poster presentation or a program certificate. Programs that produce externally validated outputs rank higher.

Second, how closely does it replicate what RSI offers? RSI gives students access to expert mentors, original research, and a structured academic environment. The best alternatives do the same, even if the format differs.

Third, is it accessible? A program that is equally selective as RSI does not solve the problem. These alternatives are either more accessible or use different selection criteria that may favor your profile.

Fourth, are there verified admissions outcomes? Programs that publish data on where their alumni enroll rank above those that do not.

The 10 Best Research Programs to Consider If You Didn't Get Into RSI in 2026

1. RISE Research

RISE Global Education | Online, 1-on-1 | Paid | Rolling admissions, Summer 2026 cohort deadline approaching

RISE Research is a selective 1-on-1 mentorship program where high school students in Grades 9 through 12 conduct original, university-level research under PhD mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions. The program runs for 10 weeks and is delivered entirely online, which means students in any US state can participate without relocating. Over 500 mentors work with RISE scholars across disciplines including biology, economics, computer science, political theory, and the humanities. The program has a 90% publication rate, and student papers appear in 40 or more independent academic journals with no institutional connection to RISE. Admissions outcomes for RISE scholars are documented and public: RISE scholars are accepted to Stanford at 18%, compared to the standard 8.7% acceptance rate, and to UPenn at 32%, compared to the standard 3.8%. You can review the full admissions results and published student papers on the RISE website.

Why it beats a program certificate: A RISE paper is reviewed and accepted by an independent academic journal with no connection to RISE. That external validation is what admissions officers at MIT, Stanford, and Harvard are looking for when they talk about genuine intellectual initiative.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: RSI gives students access to expert mentors and original research in a structured environment. RISE replicates all three, with the addition of a peer-reviewed publication outcome that RSI itself does not guarantee.

Best for: Students whose primary goal is a peer-reviewed published paper before their college application deadlines.

2. MIT PRIMES-USA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Online | Free | Applications typically open in September, check official website for 2026 cycle

PRIMES-USA is the distance-learning branch of MIT PRIMES, designed for mathematically gifted students outside the Boston area. Students work on original mathematics research problems under MIT faculty mentors over the course of a full year. The program is free and produces genuine research, with many students co-authoring papers that are submitted to mathematics journals. Acceptance is highly selective, but the applicant pool differs from RSI, and strong mathematics students who were passed over by RSI should apply.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: It is run by MIT, produces original research, and is free. The year-long format means the output is more substantial than most summer programs.

Best for: Students with exceptional mathematics ability who want to work directly with MIT faculty.

3. Polygence

Polygence | Online, 1-on-1 | Paid (starting around $2,400, check official website for current pricing) | Rolling admissions

Polygence pairs high school students with graduate student and PhD mentors for 10 sessions of 1-on-1 research mentorship. Students choose their own topic and produce a final project, which may include a research paper, a prototype, or a creative work depending on the field. Publication is not guaranteed, but Polygence offers a separate publication pathway for students who produce paper-ready work. The program is widely used and moderately selective.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: It provides structured 1-on-1 mentorship in a student-chosen field, which replicates the independent research experience RSI offers.

Best for: Students who want flexibility in topic and format and are not yet certain they want to pursue publication.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Lumiere Education | Online, 1-on-1 | Paid (check official website for current pricing) | Rolling admissions

Lumiere pairs high school students with PhD mentors for a 12-week independent research project. The program covers a wide range of disciplines and produces a final research paper. Lumiere also offers a separate publication support service for students whose papers meet journal standards. The program is open to students in Grades 9 through 12 and does not require prior research experience.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: The 12-week structure and PhD mentor model replicate the core RSI experience in an accessible online format.

Best for: Students who want a longer mentorship engagement and are open to a range of disciplines.

5. Research Mentorship Program (UCSB RMP)

University of California, Santa Barbara | Residential | Paid (check official website for current pricing) | Applications typically open in January, check official website for 2026 deadlines

The UCSB Research Mentorship Program places high school students in active university research labs for a six-week residential summer session. Students work alongside UCSB faculty and graduate students on real research projects and produce a final research paper and poster. The program is moderately selective and open to rising juniors and seniors. It offers a genuine university lab experience that is comparable in rigor to RSI, though without the same national prestige.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: Students work in real university labs under faculty mentors and produce a research paper, which mirrors the RSI structure in a residential setting.

Best for: Students who want a residential university research experience and are based in or willing to travel to California.

6. Garcia Research Scholar Program

Stony Brook University | Residential | Paid (check official website for current pricing) | Applications typically open in February, check official website for 2026 deadlines

The Garcia Research Scholar Program at Stony Brook University is a seven-week residential program focused on materials science and polymer chemistry. Students conduct original research in university labs and present their findings at a final symposium. Many Garcia alumni go on to publish their work. The program has a strong track record and is well regarded in science admissions contexts.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: Garcia offers genuine lab-based research under university faculty in a selective residential setting, with a clear pathway to publication for strong students.

Best for: Students with a specific interest in materials science, chemistry, or related fields who want a residential research experience.

7. Simons Summer Research Program

Stony Brook University | Residential | Free (stipend provided) | Applications typically open in January, check official website for 2026 deadlines

The Simons Summer Research Program places rising seniors in Stony Brook University research labs for a seven-week residential experience. Students work with faculty mentors in STEM fields and present their research at a final symposium. The program is free and provides a stipend, making it one of the most accessible serious research programs in the US. Selectivity is high, but the program draws from a different pool than RSI.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: It is free, residential, and places students in real university labs with faculty mentors, which is the core of what RSI offers.

Best for: Rising seniors in the New York area who want a free, residential, faculty-mentored research experience.

8. Regeneron Science Talent Search (as a submission goal)

Society for Science | Open to US high school seniors | Free to enter | 2026 deadline: check official website

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the most prestigious science research competition in the United States. Students submit an original research paper and application for review by a panel of scientists. Finalists travel to Washington, DC, and compete for awards totaling over $3 million. The competition itself is not a program, but completing original research and submitting to Regeneron STS is one of the most credible things a high school student can do in lieu of an RSI placement. Many RISE scholars submit their published papers to Regeneron STS. You can see examples of student awards and recognition on the RISE website.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: RSI alumni frequently use their research for Regeneron STS. Any student with original research, regardless of where it was conducted, can enter. The competition validates the research independently of the program that produced it.

Best for: Rising seniors who have already conducted original research and want national recognition before college applications.

9. Inspirit AI

Inspirit AI | Online | Paid (check official website for current pricing) | Rolling admissions, check official website for 2026 cohorts

Inspirit AI offers online research programs for high school students focused on artificial intelligence and its applications. Students work in small groups or 1-on-1 with Stanford and MIT student mentors to build AI projects and produce research outputs. The program is most relevant for students interested in computer science, data science, or AI policy. It is less selective than RSI and more accessible for students earlier in their academic careers.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: It provides structured mentorship, a research project output, and a focus on a field that is highly relevant to current admissions contexts in STEM.

Best for: Students in Grades 9 through 11 with a specific interest in AI who want a structured introduction to research in that field.

10. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Research Programs

Johns Hopkins University | Online and residential options | Paid (check official website for current pricing) | Applications open on a rolling basis, check official website for 2026 programs

Johns Hopkins CTY offers a range of academic programs for advanced high school students, including research-focused courses in science, mathematics, and the humanities. While CTY programs vary in depth, the most advanced offerings provide genuine research experience under credentialed instructors. CTY is well known to admissions officers and carries institutional credibility. Students in Grades 9 and 10 who were not yet eligible for RSI will find CTY a strong option for building early research experience. For grade-specific guidance, see our posts on best research programs for 10th graders and best research programs for 9th graders.

Why it works as an RSI alternative: Johns Hopkins institutional affiliation and the academic rigor of advanced CTY programs make it a credible research entry point for students earlier in their high school careers.

Best for: Students in Grades 9 and 10 who want to build a research foundation before applying to more selective programs in later years.

10 Research Programs If You Didn't Get Into RSI: Quick Comparison

Which Program Is Right for You?

The right choice depends on your goal, your grade, and your timeline.

If your goal is a published paper in an independent journal before November Early Action deadlines: RISE Research. The 10-week structure and 90% publication rate make it the most direct path to that outcome. Review the mentor network and student projects to see what is possible in your field.

If your goal is a free residential program with university lab access and you are a rising senior in New York: Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook.

If you have exceptional mathematics ability and want to work directly with MIT faculty at no cost: MIT PRIMES-USA.

If you are in Grade 9 or 10 and want to start building a research profile before applying to more selective programs: Johns Hopkins CTY or RISE Research, depending on your budget and how quickly you want a publication outcome. See our full guide to research programs for 9th graders for more options at that stage.

If you are a rising senior who has already completed original research and wants national recognition: submit to Regeneron STS. The competition is open to any student with original research, regardless of where it was conducted.

If you are interested in AI specifically and want a structured introduction to research in that field: Inspirit AI.

The decision comes back to one question: what do you want on your college application? A program name, or a published paper? For most students applying to highly selective universities, the answer is clear. For 12th graders with tight timelines, see our dedicated guide to research programs for 12th graders before applications.

The RISE Summer 2026 cohort is open now across the US. If a published paper before your college application deadline is the goal, book a free 20-minute Research Assessment to find out whether the timeline works for your grade and subject.

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Programs If You Didn't Get Into RSI

What should I do if I didn't get into RSI?

Apply to a program that produces a comparable research outcome. RSI is one path to original research under expert mentors. It is not the only path. Programs like RISE Research, MIT PRIMES-USA, and the Simons Summer Research Program offer serious research experiences with outcomes that admissions officers at selective universities recognize. The goal is a published paper or documented original research, not the RSI name.

Is RISE Research as good as RSI for college admissions?

RISE Research produces a peer-reviewed published paper in an independent academic journal. RSI produces a research experience and a final paper, but publication is not guaranteed. RISE scholars are accepted to Stanford at 18% and to UPenn at 32%, both well above standard acceptance rates. The admissions value of any research program is determined by what the student produces, not the program's name.

Are there research programs as selective as RSI that I can still apply to?

MIT PRIMES-USA and the Simons Summer Research Program are both highly selective but draw from different applicant pools than RSI. Students who were not selected for RSI may be strong candidates for these programs. RISE Research is selective but uses a different admissions process focused on research readiness and subject interest rather than standardized test scores alone.

Does not getting into RSI hurt my college application?

No. Admissions officers do not see which programs you applied to and were rejected from. They see only what you submit. A student who was rejected from RSI and then published original research through another program is in a stronger position than a student who was accepted to RSI and produced nothing. The outcome matters more than the program name.

What do I do if I get rejected from all selective research programs?

Pursue research through a less selective but rigorous program. Polygence, Lumiere, and RISE Research all accept students without prior research experience. The key is to start, produce something real, and submit it for external review. A published paper from a program you were not rejected from is worth more on a college application than a rejection letter from a program you could not attend. For students who want to explore all options, our full guide to best STEM research programs for US high school students covers the complete landscape.

The Path Forward Is Still Open

RSI rejection is not the end of a research career. It is the beginning of a decision about where to take that career next. The three most important things to look for in any RSI alternative are: expert mentors with verified credentials, a structured research process, and an externally validated output at the end. RISE Research, MIT PRIMES-USA, and the Simons Summer Research Program all meet those criteria. The difference is format,