Applying for FSI

Interested in applying for FSI?听

Ready to challenge yourself, dive into real STEM research, and jumpstart your college experience? Application for the Frontiers of Science Institute opens every Fall. Review our eligibility guidelines below and get ready to launch your summer journey on the University of Northern Colorado campus!听听

Eligibility & Who Should Apply听

FSI is designed for current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors (grades 9鈥�11) who are eager to push their boundaries, pursue deep STEM investigations, and demonstrate the maturity and self-discipline required for a true college environment.听听

FSI is committed to building a diverse, welcoming cohort. Applications from women, gender-nonconforming individuals, people of color, Indigenous students, LGBTQ+ community members, students with disabilities, and applicants from rural communities are strongly encouraged to apply!听听

Ready to Apply?

The application will ask you to describe your extracurricular activities and summer experiences, share how you contribute to your community, explain your interest in STEM and a STEM career, and outline why you want to attend FSI and how you hope to grow as a result of the experience. Before starting the application, please gather all required information (including student and parent/guardian information, school information, STEM teacher reference information, and family income information) and be prepared to answer the application essay questions.

Please Read the FSI Expectations & FAQs

The application includes the following questions:

Describe the extracurricular activities and/or summer programs you have participated in over the past three years (for example, Science Olympiad, band, drama, robotics club, science fair, athletics, hobbies, summer camps, dual enrollment, college courses, etc.)
Describe how you have contributed to your community in the past three years.
Explain your interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and a STEM career (Your response should be approximately 350-500 words)
Describe why you want to attend FSI and how do you hope to grow personally from the experience of learning and living with the FSI cohort? (Your response should be approximately 350-500 words)听

Additionally, be sure to have the following information ready:听

Student contact information
Parent/guardian contact information
School information, grade, and GPA
Contact information for a STEM teacher reference听
College and career goals/aspirations
Demographic information (including family income information)

Plagiarism & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

When submitting your application please keep in mind it is expected that written material is your original work, and is not plagiarized or intentionally misrepresents your own original work (such as using AI):听

Plagiarism: application materials should not include thoughts, ideas, experiences, or writing directly from others – expected to be written and created by you, the applicant.
AI Use: AI platforms, such Large Language Models (LLMs), like Chat GPT and others, can be helpful tools – expected that materials submitted as part of your application must be your work, not written by artificial intelligence.听听

*It will be up to the FSI Application Review Committee to determine plagiarism and AI use in application materials.听

听If you have any questions regarding this policy, please reach out to FSI.admin@unco.edu听

Application Timeline

Applications Open Oct. 1st

Scholarships and spots are competitive, so please apply as soon as possible!

October 1, 2026	Application Available
February 15, 2027	Application Deadline
Early/Mid-March 2027	Notice of Acceptance or Waitlist
April 1, 2027	Acceptance Decision from Student & Deposit Fee Due