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Application Portal (Closed for AY 2024-25)

*Applications will be accepted for AY 2025-26 beginning April 2025

Program description

High school juniors and seniors (ages 16-17) who would like to gain hands-on research experience, work on research projects, and receive mentorship from Purdue Fort Wayne faculty are invited to apply for the High School Research Internship (HSRI) program. The HSRI program is suitable for motivated, creative, and mature students who are intellectually curious and serious about their academics. Students admitted to the program will be expected to work on active research under the guidance of their faculty mentor as an unpaid intern and dedicate on average 6-8 hours/week. Students must be able to commute to the Purdue Fort Wayne campus. Successful completion of the internship will lead to students earning 1 college credit per semester. 

 

Who is eligible 

High school juniors and seniors must meet ALL of the eligibility requirements below: 

  • Earned at least a 3.0 high school GPA 

  • Have earned all As and Bs in classes completed in High School 

  • Must be at least 16 years old by the first day of Purdue FW’s academic calendar (end of August) 

  • Demonstrated maturity, initiative, and responsibility in and out of their high school classrooms 

  • Demonstrated respect for teachers, mentors, and staff 

  • Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated college success in high school by completing Dual Credit or Collegiate Connection courses with a B or higher. 

  • Have access to reliable transportation to and from Purdue Fort Wayne 

  • Completed all the required application materials by the deadline (see application process below) 

Cost of the internship program

Approximately $320 for Indiana residents - Internship cost is to be paid only if you are selected for an internship. The cost is equivalent to a 1-credit course per semester with the option to complete up to 4 semesters (maximum of 4 college credits). See PFW's tuition and fees. 

Application process

Follow the steps in order and complete your application package by August 1, 2025:   

1) Check out the faculty and staff pages from each of the 6 colleges at PFW for potential faculty mentors.

You will have a higher chance of being selected as an intern if there is already a project team that you can join. When you join a project team, you will work on the faculty mentor’s existing project, not propose your own project.  

2) Apply as a non-degree student at Purdue Fort Wayne via the application portal.

3) In the same application portal, please upload a short essay (300 words maximum) that answers the following questions: 

    • Explain how you became interested in your research topic or your motivation for pursuing your intended research project. If you don’t have a particular project in mind, explain what you hope to research or how you see yourself fitting within a faculty mentor’s project team.   
    • What do you hope to gain from your participation in the PFW HSRI program? 

4) To be submitted by your nominator: 1 nomination form from a high school teacher, principal, counselor, or Purdue Fort Wayne faculty 

Selection process 

  • After we have received your complete application, we will review it. Eligible applicants will be invited to come to campus to interview with the faculty.  
  • Incomplete applications will automatically be rejected. 
  • Please know that if you are not selected as an intern, it may be because there is no faculty mentor available to work with you on your project.  
  • You will know our decision by August 30, 2025. If you submitted a complete application and are not selected as an intern, we will place you on a waiting list for the following semester.  

 

Questions? Contact Us 

Looking for other opportunities on campus?

With over 100 programs available for area youth, Purdue Fort Wayne is a great place for campus experiences. To learn more about what Purdue Fort Wayne has to offer for K-12 students, visit our youth programs website.