Indigo NextGen Scholarship 2025:
Transform Your Future Through Research

An exclusive opportunity for exceptional high school students to transform their college applications through concrete research accomplishments.

Applications is now open!
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10

Scholarships awarded per cohort

25+

Scholarships per year

USD $150,000

Total Scholarships Awarded Annually

Share Your Success

Scholarship Awards Officially Published and Certificates Provided to Winners

Introducing the IRIS NEXTGEN Scholarship

This is your opportunity to transform your academic journey through research that opens doors to extraordinary futures.
At Indigo, we believe a single research experience can transform everything—your thinking, your college applications, and ultimately, your access to opportunities that change lives. That's why we're offering talented high school students the chance to work alongside professors from Harvard, Penn, Columbia, and other elite institutions.
After finishing a research project, our students gain access to opportunities typically reserved for the few—evidenced by acceptance rates that speak volumes: 15% at Harvard, 32% at Penn, and 33% at Columbia.

Yet college admission is just the beginning of the transformation. The research skills, mentorship relationships, and elite networks you'll gain through the IRIS program position you to access opportunities that remain closed to most—from exclusive internships to groundbreaking research labs to careers with extraordinary impact.

If you are ready to transform your future through research, we invite you to share your visions with #MyIndigoStory and show us how you'll use this opportunity to open doors that matter.

Based on your vision for research impact and how convincingly you map your academic transformation, we'll be awarding full and partial scholarships to students ready to achieve research that gets results.

‍Learn how to apply below.‍

Who Can Apply?

The NextGen Scholarship is open to high school students worldwide of all nationalities ages 14-19 with advanced English skills.

Award Structure

Receive one of eight prestigious full scholarships for the IRIS Summer Program (July 7 - August 17, 2025), each valued at USD 3,900—totaling an impressive USD 39,000 in educational opportunities. Additional partial scholarships and honorable mention awards are available for select outstanding applicants, recognizing exceptional potential across various research fields.

The IRIS NEXTGEN Scholarship Fund represents our commitment to making high-level research experiences accessible to talented high school students worldwide.

Full Scholarships

  • Number of Recipients: 10 exceptional students
  • Value per Scholarship: $3,900 each
  • Total Scholarship Value: $39,000
  • Coverage: 100% of IRIS Summer 2025 program costs

Honorable Mention Awards

  • Available for: Promising applicants showing exceptional potential
  • Coverage: 30% of program costs

How to apply

01
Declare Your Interest

Fill out the form above and follow Indigo on Instagram & TikTok to officially register your application. We'll then email you the video requirements.

02
Download Your Resources

Access the IRIS NextGen Transformation Map hich you'll need to reference in your video submission

03
Create and Post Your Video

We accept posted video submissions only. See FAQ for technical questions.

In your 1-2 minutes video, show us how research will transform your academic journey:

  1. Share Your Vision
    Using the Academic Transformation Roadmap, explain your proposed research question and why it matters to you
  2. Demonstrate Impact
    Show how this research could transform both your academic future and potentially contribute to your field of interest
  3. Connect to Goals
    Explain how this research experience aligns with your broader aspirations (college admissions, career path, solving real-world problems)

Don't forget to use #MyIndigoStory in your submission!

04
Submit Your Application

Post your video on your Instagram/Tiktok account and complete the submission form to officially register your video application.

05
Stay Connected

Please stay subscribed to our email list so we can keep you updated. Don't forget to follow Indigo Research for announcements and join our community of successful students who have leveraged research to open doors to prestigious universities like Harvard (15%), Penn (32%), and Columbia (33%).

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Scholarship Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on the content of the video:
  1. Results Orientation - Demonstrated ability to set goals and achieve measurable outcomes in previous academic or extracurricular pursuits
  2. Research Potential - Evidence of analytical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and aptitude for inquiry-based learning
  3. Application Vision - Clear plan for how they will leverage IRIS research experience in their college applications
  4. Academic Excellence - Strong academic record indicating readiness for university-level research
  5. Communication Skills - Ability to articulate complex ideas effectively through their application materials

Scholarship Timeline

Application opens
April 25, 2025
Declare your interest and receive your video instructions via email
2nd Round: Written Application
June 3, 2025
If invited to proceed, you will receive an email from us, and you need to fill out your written application by June 6, 2025, 23.59 EST.
IRIS Summer Intensive Program:
July 7 - August 17, 2025
If you are an Indigo NextGen Scholar, participate in the 6-week IRIS Summer Program.
Scholarship Application Deadline
‍May 25, 2025
Deadline to apply and upload your #MyIndigoStory. Important: Make sure you’ve posted your video AND submitted your video in this form before 23.59 EST.
IRIS NextGen Scholarship Recipients Announcement:
June 17th, 2025
Receive your final decision
‍
*Note: Only one scholar in each subject will be chosen

Why IRIS?

Complete your publishable research paper in just 6 weeks
Join small classes of no more than 9 other students from  30+ countries, 100% online
30+ hours of lessons with top university faculty, plus individualized support from a PhD teaching assistant
All programs are eligible for credit from the University of California (UCSB)
After IRIS, join our Masterclass series on how to use research in your college apps, from our Ivy-grad Indigo execs
New Record
16 students in the last IRIS cohort published in the IJHSR – that’s a >50% acceptance rate for Indigo students!
Record & Prestige
The IJHSR is an A+ rated journal – one of the most competitive journals at the high school level.
College Differentiator
After publishing, our students got into Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Cornell and many more!
Competitive Edge
For the first time in history, all papers in an IJHSR issue came from students in a single program: Indigo Research!

IRIS Program Timeline

Prep Reading
Work through carefully selected introductory papers with support from a Harvard PhD Teaching Fellow during office hours.
Week 0
Subject Deep Dive
Meet your instructor and receive a crash course on your subject, reviewing readings, and discussing key terms and topics for your research.
Week 1
Research Foundations
Learn strategies for time management, note-taking, and citation. Explore research paper genres and select a research question.
Week 2
Abstract & Bibliography
Take the time to develop your abstract and annotated bibliography. Organize sources before diving into writing.
Week 3
Begin Writing!
Work on your paper’s intro and outline. Meet one-on- one with your instructor for a guided deeper dive into your research and writing.
Week 4
Workshop Drafts
Participate in writing workshops, prepare your first full draft, engage in peer reviewing exercises and incorporate feedback.
Week 5
Submit & Present
Discuss your full draft in a one-on-one meeting with the instructor, present your work to peers and deliver the final version of your paper!
Week 5

Why Indigo?

Nurturing World Changers
Collaborate with Ivy League and Top 10 university experts, harnessing their wisdom to tackle humanity's most pressing problems—be it climate crisis, social inequalities, or technological breakthroughs.
Diverse Fields, Unified Goal
Whether your interest lies in AI, Computer Science, Psychology, Economics, Genetics, Engineering, Global Entrepreneurships, or International Politics, we provide the platform to turn your innovative ideas into solutions with global implications.
A Legacy of Impact
Our scholars are making waves, evidenced by acceptance rates of 15% at Harvard, 32% at Penn, and 33% at Columbia, to name a few. Last year, we invested $150,000 in scholarships to foster future leaders.

Course offerings

Classes for IRIS Summer are held twice a week for 3 hours each.
❗️Only 12 spots are available for each course session.
Winter
December 16, 2024 - January 26, 2025
Summer
July 7 - August 17, 2025
Program cost:
$3,900 USD
an icon with computer and cables

Computer Science

with Dr. Eric S.
from Cornell University
  • Explore Data Science, Blockchain, Bioinformatics, Theoretical CS, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, and more!
  • No prior programming experience required!
Winter
an icon with DNA

Genetics

with Dr. Hamidreza S.
from Stanford University
Dr. Jorge A. from UCLA
  • Explore genetics and biochemistry principles in the context of medicine and biotech.
  • Analyze case studies and real-world examples from medicine and pharmaceuticals, fostering critical thinking skills.
Winter
an icon with diagram and arrow

Economics

with Dr. Ceyhun E.
from Columbia University
and Dr.Iva B
from University of Leeds
  • Explore contemporary policy issues, e.g. COVID-19 pandemic responses.
  • Learn how fiscal policy, regulations and markets shape our lives!
Winter
an icon with a brain

Neuroscience

with Dr. Kimberly C.
from Dartmouth University and Dr. Jorge A.
from UCLA
  • Explore cognitive processes and neuroscience.
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of memory systems and cognitive neuroscience methods.
Winter

Engineering

with Dr. Andrea G.
from Cambridge University and Imperial University
  • Develop a rigorous, evidence- based design, from initial research and concept generation to a feasible solution.
  • Suitable for a wide range of math and science abilities.
Winter

Artificial Intelligence

with Dr. Siddharth K.
from Virginia Tech and SamvidAI Co-Founder
  • Learn how to build AI systems.
  • Explore Recommender Systems, Computer Vision, Generative AI, and AI Ethics!
  • No prior programming experience required.

Entrepreneurship

with Dr. Mark D. from Carnegie Mellon University
  • Analyze case studies as you explore the importance of market research in developing an innovative business plan
  • Explore how cultural, economic, and regulatory differences impact entrepreneurial ventures.

Environmental Science

with Dr. Debbie H.
from Oxford University
  • Explore the science behind climate change, renewable energy, and conservation.
  • Investigate real-world environmental issues through case studies, hands-on projects, and sustainability challenges.

Astrophysics

with Dr. Chima M. from
Harvard University
  • Dive into the mysteries of black holes, dark matter, exoplanets, and the Big Bang.
  • Learn the latest techniques in space observation and data analysis with no prior experience required!
Winter

Advanced International Politics

with Dr. Ida D. from the
London School of Economics
  • Explore the most important political philosophies from Democracy to Liberalism, Totalitarianism to Republicanism.
  • Discover research methodologies across history, political science, and international relations.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I'm a gap year student/international student, am I eligible?

Yes! The IRIS NextGen Scholarship is open to high school students aged 14-19 worldwide. Gap year students are welcome. We welcome applicants from all countries and backgrounds. Our programs are designed to be accessible globally, as we believe great research talent exists everywhere.

Do I need to show my face in the application video?

No, showing your face is optional. Many successful applicants have chosen not to show their faces in their videos. You can use visuals, slides, animations, or other creative approaches to convey your research vision.

Can I submit my application via email instead of posting a video?

No, we only accept posted video submissions for this scholarship.

I just discovered this opportunity! Can I still apply?

Yes, you can apply as long as the application deadline hasn't passed. We cannot accept any submissions after the deadline, so please ensure you complete all requirements in time.

What if I have technical difficulties submitting my application?

If you encounter technical issues, please contact our support team at scholarships@indigoresearch.org at least 48 hours before the deadline. We recommend not waiting until the last minute to submit your application. Any last-minute requests will not be addressed.

Transform Your Future Through Research

We can't wait to see your #MyIndigoStory video!
Declare Your Interest
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