Rebel Research Scholars
Summer Research Experience
a Summer College Program
Rebel Research Scholars offers high school students hands-on, faculty-led research experiences, providing a unique opportunity to explore future careers.
Under the mentorship of experienced faculty, students spend about seven hours a day conducting research throughout the summer session (approximately one month).
- STEM students may work in university labs.
- Humanities or social science students may research in many spaces including libraries, museums, or cultural centers.
Outside of research, students will experience campus life alongside peers in the Summer College for High School Students (SCHS) program.
Dates
First Session: May 27 to June 24, 2025 (move-in on May 26)
Second Session: June 26 to July 25, 2025 (move-in on June 25)
*Some research programs are available in only one session.
Academics
The Rebel Research Scholars program offers high school students the chance to engage in research led by faculty at the University of Mississippi. Credit students will be enrolled in a research course and receive official recognition on their college transcript.
STEM Opportunities
ARISE@UM: A Research Immersive STEM Experience at the University of Mississippi
ARISE@UM is our premier STEM research experience, connecting students with mentors and labs across various disciplines at the University of Mississippi. ARISE students may receive full or partial funding, though eligibility varies. While many labs prioritize Mississippi applicants, students nationwide and globally are encouraged to apply.
What to expect: In your application, you’ll be asked to share your research interests—whether broad or specific. We encourage you to explore our labs to help guide your responses.
Partial list of ARISE-affiliated programs and labs:
- Biology Research Opportunities
- Chemistry Research Opportunities
- Engineering Research
- Evolutionary Ecology and Microbial Symbiosis
- Genetics, Endocrinology, and Neuroscience Education (GENE) Lab
- Nanomaterials Lab
- Physics Research Opportunities
- Renewable Energy Research & Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry Lab
Humanities & Social Sciences Research
The University of Mississippi Summer Humanities Institute: Memory in Motion
The Summer Humanities Institute allows students to explore both the humanities and social sciences, delving into human culture, languages, and behavior.
By exploring universal questions of the human experience, students gain insights into culture, languages, behavior, history, the arts, and other areas in these fields. The program will foster meaningful connections with peers and mentors, helping students build new skills.
This summer’s theme, cultural memory, will invite a select group of rising high school juniors and seniors to consider the following questions:
- How do societies decide what gets remembered?
- How does memory become transmitted through story?
While enrolled in LIBA 199: Intro to Research in the Liberal Arts, students will engage in hands-on learning, including opportunities to pursue their own, original research guided by faculty.
Along the way, students benefit from instruction in a variety of technical, artistic, and methodological skills. Each student will design and produce their own, culminating research or creative project under the direction of faculty mentors. Projects may include mini-documentaries, podcast episodes, oral histories, translations of historical documents, screenplays, research papers, or other options, depending upon individual student preference. Excursions, guest speakers, and social gatherings will provide opportunities to investigate the varied ways that knowledge and creative work are produced in the humanities and social sciences.
Available July only.
Students may pair LIBA 199 with one additional course from the Summer College list of elective courses.
Students may qualify for scholarships based on academic merit as well as financial need. To find out if you qualify, submit any standardized test scores you have as well your financial aid application through the checklist in your application portal.
Application ProcessStart Application
Admissions
The Rebel Research Scholars programs are highly competitive, and early application is encouraged. Students must meet the minimum admission requirements for either credit or non-credit research experiences.
Application Dates & Deadlines
| Applications Open | December 1 |
| Priority Application and Paperwork Deadline | February 15 |
| Applications and Paperwork Due | March 15 |
| Notice of Acceptance | Rolling, starting February |
| Agreements and Cost Estimates Due | Within 2 weeks of acceptance notification |
Application Process
The application process follows the Summer Credit Programs admissions process. Additionally, students must submit:
- Two online recommendations
- Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Each program has its own selection process, with decisions typically made 2-4 weeks after all checklist steps are completed. Once admitted, students must confirm their decision within two weeks and submit any required documentation.
Some programs may have residency requirements. Before applying, verify eligibility with the program coordinator at schs@olemiss.edu.
Cost
Some programs are fully funded, covering tuition, housing, meals, and supervision. Others may require students to pay for housing, meals, and supervision. Each research opportunity will indicate funding eligibility. Students with financial need can also apply for Summer College scholarships for additional expenses.
Expect discretionary costs, such as $250 for weekend meals and $200 for "fun" money, which are not covered by the program.
Financial Aid
To be considered for scholarship funding, students must complete the Financial Aid section in their admissions checklist. Additionally, submitting ACT and SAT scores is encouraged, as scores may qualify students for additional funding.