Primary Research Program

What is Primary Research Program?

Develop your own research question, design original experiments, and gain hands-on experience, with opportunities to work in research training labs.
Receive personalized academic writing guidance from expert mentors and full support for publication.

Tentative Timeline

Topic Selection and Research

This initial phase lays the groundwork for a successful research experience. In Week 1, each student is paired with a subject-matter mentor who helps align their interests, strengths, and long-term goals with a relevant and meaningful research topic. Mentors guide students through a structured brainstorming session and introduce them to foundational reading materials in their area of interest.

During Weeks 2 to 4, students explore the topic in greater depth, reviewing existing literature, identifying knowledge gaps, and discussing real-world applications. They learn to evaluate sources, use academic databases, and critically analyze prior work. The goal is to develop a focused and researchable question or hypothesis that is both original and feasible within the program's timeframe. By the end of Week 4, students submit a Research Proposal which outlines their topic, objective, scope, and initial reference list.

Research Paper Development

With a clear question in hand, students move into the writing phase, supported by structured guidance from their mentors. In Weeks 5 and 6, students draft their introduction and literature review, learning to synthesize multiple sources and establish the context for their study. Mentors provide feedback on writing style, academic tone, and logical flow.

Weeks 7 and 8 focus on methodology and analysis. Depending on the nature of the research—whether theoretical, experimental, or survey-based—students learn how to construct arguments, design experiments, collect data, or build models. For empirical work, students are also introduced to basic tools for data analysis and visualization.

By Week 9, students start compiling their full draft, incorporating results and discussing their implications. Mentors assist in refining arguments, citing sources correctly, and maintaining academic integrity throughout.

Finalization, Submission, and Beyond

The final stretch of the program is dedicated to polishing the paper for submission. In Week 10, students focus on revisions, peer reviews, and feedback integration. They work on improving clarity, structure, formatting, and visual elements like charts or tables. Week 11 is typically used for proofreading, reference checks, and preparing the final manuscript.

In Week 12, students submit their completed research paper to a specific publication journal as decided by the mentor based on suitability and time of submission.

What's Included

Real-World Lab Exposure

Go beyond theory with practical, hands-on experience in research training labs.
This unique opportunity helps students apply scientific methods, use professional equipment, and strengthen their research for competitive submissions and publications.

Academic Writing to Journal Standards

Learn to write like a researcher with structured guidance on tone, formatting, and clarity. Our mentors help you craft papers that meet the expectations of academic journals and evaluators.

Publication Support

From editing and formatting to final submission, we guide you every step of the way. Expert mentors ensure your research is polished, professional, and ready for publication.

Navigating Success Stories

Papers Submitted
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Subjects

What Can You Research?

  • Biology

    A published study in Pre‑Med Majors (Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering) showcases real scientific rigor and genuine research involvement.

  • Physics

    Top schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale look favorably on students who’ve done theoretical modeling, astrophysics simulations, or experimental work (even small-scale lab setups).

  • Chemistry

    Ivy League chemistry programs value students who can write research papers, even review-style ones, in organic, analytical, or medicinal chemistry with correct citation and chemical analysis.

  • Mathematics

    Math research, such as original problem-solving, proof development, or even statistical modeling, is a standout, particularly for students aiming for pure math, applied math, or data science.

  • Economics and Finance

    Students are expected to analyze real or simulated economic data that includes hypothesis formation, data visualization, interpretation, and economic reasoning.

  • Psychology and Cognitive Science

    Psychology is a top and competitive major at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Penn. These departments expect undergraduates to design experiments, analyze behavior, and contribute to publishable findings.

  • Environmental Science and Ecology

    Environmental engineering and ecology are growing fields at Dartmouth and other Ivies. These programs value hands-on fieldwork, data analysis, and contributions to publishable environmental research.

  • Computer Science and Computational Biology

    Student-led coding or data science research leading to publications is highly preferred.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Design your own research, gain hands‑on experience, and prepare for publication with personalized mentoring and full-cycle support. Develop a research question, craft a compelling paper, and make your work submission-ready for top academic journals.
The Primary Research Program is an intensive, hands-on research experience where students design original experiments, conduct literature reviews, write research papers, and receive one‑on‑one mentorship. It culminates in submitting a polished paper to an academic publication.
Students at the high school or undergraduate level interested in gaining practical research skills in STEM, social sciences, or interdisciplinary fields.
The program spans 12 weeks, with milestones like topic selection, proposal submission, drafting, peer reviews, and final submission.
No prior research experience is required. Our expert mentors guide you every step of the way—from selecting a topic to learning research methods and academic writing.
You can choose a topic from a broad range of subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics & Finance, Psychology & Cognitive Science, Environmental Science, and Computer Science.
Each student receives personalized academic writing guidance, feedback on drafts, and help with formatting, citations, and submission to academic journals.
Yes. Students will have opportunities to participate in hands‑on labs or practical sessions relevant to their research topic.

By the end of the program, you will have:

  • Developed a novel research question
  • Written and refined a full research paper
  • Submitted your work for publication
  • Strengthened your academic profile for top colleges and research opportunities
You can apply online by filling out the application form. After submission, a program mentor will contact you to assess fit and interest.
Your mentors will provide assistance with responding to reviewers’ comments, resubmissions, or future research publications.

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