The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a student-run MIT program that funds and mentors high schoolers to build a research or engineering project they’ve proposed. This guide covers who can apply, how it works, and how to write a strong proposal.
💡 Rishab’s take: THINK is unusual: you apply with a project you haven’t built yet, so they’re betting on your plan, not your results. Put your energy into making the proposal concrete — exactly what you’ll build, the timeline, the budget. Vague ambition loses; a credible, specific plan wins.
Rishab Jain
What is the MIT THINK Scholars Program?
THINK is a student-run program that gives high schoolers mentorship, funding, and resources to build a STEM project. Unlike most competitions, it doesn’t judge finished work, it backs your idea and helps you build it. It’s open to high school students with a permanent U.S. address (international students without U.S. residency aren’t eligible), and it’s completely free to enter. Scholars get:
- Funding: up to $1,000 to support your project.
- Mentorship: weekly guidance from MIT undergraduates.
- Networking: a community of other student builders.
Scholars are also invited to MIT’s campus for an all-expenses-paid trip to present their work, tour labs, and meet researchers.
Why Apply to THINK?
THINK gives you more than a line on your resume. It’s a chance to:
- Start doing real research with support, even if you’ve never done it before.
- Build a network of MIT mentors and peers who share your interests.
- Develop practical skills in project management, technical writing, and explaining your ideas clearly.
- Stand out on college applications by showing initiative on a real project.
How to Apply
1. Choose a problem that matters
THINK looks for projects with real-world applications. It doesn’t have to solve a global crisis, but it should be creative, feasible, and useful. For example:
- A low-cost water filtration system.
- An AI tool for early disease detection.
- An eco-friendly energy storage device.
2. Write a strong proposal
The proposal is the heart of your application. Include:
- Abstract: a short summary of your project.
- Background: why the problem matters and what current solutions miss.
- Methods: how you’ll build it, including materials, costs, and a timeline.
- Expected outcomes: what you hope to achieve and why it matters.
3. Show you mean it
THINK backs students who are genuinely invested in their projects. Use your proposal to show that you’ve thought hard about the problem and have a clear plan to tackle it.
4. Polish it before you submit
Details matter. Proofread for clarity, grammar, and completeness, and have a teacher or mentor read your proposal before you send it.
Tips for a Stronger Application
- Start early so you have time to brainstorm, research, and refine.
- Get feedback from peers, teachers, or mentors.
- Stay realistic. Your project should be doable within THINK’s funding and timeline.
Important Dates
Applications open online in the fall (around early November), and the deadline is January 1. Finalists are notified in the following weeks, and scholars are announced in February. Always check the official MIT THINK website for the current cycle’s exact dates.
What’s Next?
If THINK fits your goals, apply. Even if you don’t get in, writing a detailed project proposal is genuinely useful practice you’ll reuse for other programs and competitions.
Need help with your proposal? Try ScienceFair.io
ScienceFair.io helps high and middle school students plan, build, and present a STEM project, from first idea to final write-up. Book a consultation call to talk through your project and get a plan that fits where you’re starting from.
What it offers:
- AI Discovery Engine: generate research ideas drawn from thousands of past projects.
- Step-by-step research guide: a clear path from idea to finished project.
- Tuner: sharpen your title and abstract so your work stands out.
- AI judging tool: practice the Q&A with simulated judge questions.
- Expert coaching: one-on-one mentorship from past winners through the A-Z Science Fair Masterclass and coaching calls.
Explore the tools at ScienceFair.io and start building a project that can win.
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