Edify Research & Publication Program

Work 1-on-1 with a PhD researcher from a top university to design and complete an independent research project — with optional support for academic journal submission.

Program Overview

Original research, expert mentorship

The Edify Research & Publication Program pairs high school students with PhD-level mentors for a rigorous, personalized research experience across STEM, humanities, and social sciences.

1-on-1 Mentorship

Work directly with a PhD candidate or professor from a top university, matched to your research interests.

Original Research Paper

Produce a college-level research paper on a topic you design — with structured guidance at every stage.

Journal Submission Support

Premium tracks include up to 3 rounds of submission to selective high school and college-level journals.

30+ Research Areas

From biology and neuroscience to economics, law, philosophy, and beyond — or customize your own topic.

UCSD Credit Eligible

Program completers are eligible for 3 post-baccalaureate credits and a digital transcript from UCSD Extended Studies.

Graduation Symposium

Present your research at a virtual graduation ceremony alongside fellow scholars from around the world.

Tuition & Enrollment

Choose your program track

All tracks include 1-on-1 mentorship and a completed research paper. Select the depth and duration that fits your goals.

$3,190

Edify Independent Research

12 weeks · 1-on-1 with PhD mentor

Weekly 1-on-1 sessions with a matched PhD mentor
Topic selection and research question development
Full research paper with mentor feedback
Graduation ceremony and virtual symposium
UCSD Extended Studies credit eligible

+ $200 refundable deposit

$6,450

Edify Research & Publication

16–20 weeks · 1-on-1 with PhD mentor

+ $200 refundable deposit

$9,900

Edify Research Fellowship

6–12 months · 1-on-1 with PhD mentor

+ $200 refundable deposit

Financial aid available.

Need-based scholarships are available for the Independent Research track for families earning under $80,000/year (US) or $20,000/year (international). Select the financial aid option in the application to be considered.

How It Works

Your 12-week research journey

A structured, mentor-guided process from topic discovery to completed paper — with ongoing Edify counselor support throughout.

Week 1 — Meet your mentor and align on a topic

Your matched PhD mentor helps you explore research directions and identify an area that excites you and fits your academic profile.

Weeks 2–4 — Explore and define your research question

Dive into the existing literature, narrow your focus, and develop a clear, original research question with your mentor’s guidance.

Weeks 5–9 — Write your research paper

Draft your paper section by section with continuous 1-on-1 feedback. Your mentor challenges your thinking and helps you develop academic writing skills.

Weeks 10–12 — Final edits and evaluation

Polish your paper to completion, receive final evaluations, and prepare your research for the graduation symposium.

After Week 12 — Symposium and journal submission

Present at the Lumiere graduation symposium. Research & Publication and Fellowship students continue toward journal submission with up to 3 rounds of feedback.

Faq’s

Common questions

Do I need a business idea before applying?

We provide a fully comprehensive, hands-on approach with unlimited communication available. However, for students who may benefit from additional support and guidance—particularly those who tend to be more passive in their engagement—we ensure regular check-ins at least bimonthly to monitor progress on their deliverables and maintain accountability.

Can I start the Individual Program at any time?

We maintain strict enrollment limits for each grade level to ensure quality service. While priorities and deliverables vary across different grade levels, we make every effort to ensure all goals are met for each student. When we reach full capacity, we create a waitlist to manage future admissions.

What is the $200 deposit?

Payment is required in full upfront. Refunds are not available after the third meeting, though we understand that unexpected circumstances may arise. We evaluate refund requests on a case-by-case basis when extenuating circumstances exist.

How does Edify fit into this program?

All services are provided in-house to ensure consistently high-quality output. We do not subcontract any of our services to external providers.

When are the Summer 2026 deadlines?

We established our company in 2018 and have served hundreds of families throughout Silicon Valley. The majority of our clients are technology industry professionals who attended university outside the United States and seek guidance from experts familiar with the U.S. education system to help their children achieve their academic goals.

Ready to start your research?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Talk to your Edify counselor to find the right track, then apply directly through the link below.