‍Indigo

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

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33%

Indigo alumni acceptance rate to the Ivy Leagues, 6.43x higher than the global average.

People standing in front of the Radcliffe Camera, a historic circular building with a large dome in Oxford, England.

22%

Indigo alumni acceptance rate to the Oxbridge, 1.52x higher than the global average.

Person holding a tablet displaying a research article titled 'Applications of Australian Native Aquatic Plants on Purifying Wastewater Sources.'

30+

Prestigious academic journals worldwide that have published our students’ research work.

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400+

Mentors from the world’s leading universities, including professors, researchers, and PhD experts.

10

Scholarships awarded per cohort

25+

Scholarships awarded per year

$150,00

Total Scholarships Awarded Annually

4

Scholarship Awards Officially Published & Certificates Provided to Winners

Young woman smiling and holding a certificate of completion from Indigo Research program.

15%

Indigo alumni acceptance rate to the Ivy Leagues, 3.14x higher than the global average.

Rear view of two people looking at the Radcliffe Camera, a historic circular building with a large domed roof and ornate stone columns in Oxford.

24%

Indigo alumni acceptance rate to the Oxbridge, 1.45x higher than the global average

30+

Academic journals that have published our students’ work

Man with short light brown hair wearing a light gray buttoned shirt against a white background.

330+

Mentors from the world's leading universities

About the scholarship

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#MyIndigoStoryand 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. 

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Award Structure

Receive one of eight prestigious full scholarships for theIRIS Program, each valued atUSD 4,200—totaling an impressiveUSD 42,000in 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 students for the IRIS Summer 2026
Value per Scholarship: $4,200 each
Coverage: 100% of IRIS Program costs

Honorable Mention Awards

Available for: 10 students for the IRIS Summer 2026
Coverage: 30% of program costs

Two scientists in white lab coats discussing in a laboratory with a microscope on the table.

Scholarship Timeline

Classes for the IRIS Program are held twice a week for 3 hours each.Only 1 scholarship spot is available for each course.Please refer to theIRIS Program Websitefor more updated information.

01

May 4, 2026

Application opens

Declare your interest and receive your video instructions via email.

Deadline:May 31, 2026, 11:59pm PST

1^st Round: Application Deadline

Deadline to apply and upload your #MyIndigoStory.

Important:Make sure you’ve posted your video and submitted your video in this form before 11.59pm PST.``

02

03

Tutorials & Keynotes

Engage in small-group discussions and hear from guest speakers.

Meals & Breaks

Enjoy structured downtime with peers.

04

05

Evening social activities

Join our fun-filled game nights to relax and connect after class.

Weekend cultural excursions

Explore Oxbridge’s vibrant cultural heritage on guided outings.

06

The Next Nobel Scholarship

Closing the Gender Gap in Academic Excellence

Women make up only 6% of Nobel laureates, highlighting the persistent gender gap in academic recognition. Early mentorship and access to research opportunities can help young women and nonbinary scholars build the skills and confidence to pursue research careers.

The Next Nobel Scholarship was created by Indigo Research to support exceptional young scholars through intensive research mentorship and academic opportunities.

The scholarship is open to women and nonbinary scholars aged 14-19, from all nationalities and academic disciplines worldwide.

4 full scholarships each year, valued at $28,000 each

1:1 Mentorship with faculty from Columbia, Oxford, Stanford, and other leading institutions

Guidance to develop publishable research

Opportunity to present at the Indigo Academic Conference

Two UCSB Extension School credits

Support with journal and conference submissions

IRIS NextGen Scholarships

Investing in the Next Generation of Researchers

The IRIS NextGen Scholarship was created to make high-level research opportunities more accessible to talented high school students around the world. Through the scholarship, exceptional students receive financial support to participate in IRIS, Indigo's 6-week intensive research program, where they work with leading university faculty and develop a research paper in their chosen field.

For each IRIS cohort, we awarded 10 full scholarships through IRIS NextGen Scholarship, with each scholarship valued at $4,200—providing $42,000 in full scholarship support to selected students. Each full scholarship covers 100% of the IRIS program cost, allowing recipients to participate in the program without tuition becoming a barrier to their research journey.

Over six weeks, students develop a research question, conduct academic research, build an evidence-based argument, write and revise a research paper, and present their work. The experience is designed to help students develop skills that extend beyond the program—from critical thinking and academic writing to communicating complex ideas and pursuing questions independently.

The IRIS NextGen Scholarship is open to high school students ages 14-19 from around the world.

*The IRIS NextGen Scholarship is not available for Winter 2026 cohort.

Learn More

In-Person Program Scholarship

Making In-Person Research Opportunities More Accessible

The In-Person Program Scholarship supports exceptional students who want to take part in Indigo Research's immersive in-person programs, Indigo at Oxbridge and Innovator Global Lab.

To make these experiences more accessible to talented students from around the world, Indigo Research has awarded 6 full scholarships for the Summer 2026 cohort, with each scholarship covering the full cost of the in-person program.

Scholarship recipients gain access to an intensive academic experience, expert mentorship, and the opportunity to develop their research and ideas alongside other ambitious students from around the world.

Need-Based Scholarship

At this time, Indigo Research does not offer need-based scholarships. We offer multiple scholarship opportunities throughout the year based on different programs and eligibity criteria.

For questions about our scholarships or upcoming opportunities, please contract scholarships@indigoresearch.org.

‍Indigo

33%

22%

30+

400+

10

25+

$150,00

4

15%

24%

30+

330+

About the scholarship

Award Structure

Publish your research when you’re done

Scholarship Timeline

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03

04

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