The Scholars Program

Three tracks, built to turn curiosity into a career in science.

Our Scholars Program provides first-generation and low-income students with mentorship from graduate fellows, research exposure, and a cohort-based community. New cohorts recruit each spring academic semester.

§ 01 — How it works

A structured year, not a one-off workshop.

Stage 01 · Application

Scholars apply each spring

High school and college students from first-generation or low-income backgrounds submit an application. Selection is based on interest, fit, and what FLi Sci can meaningfully add to a scholar's trajectory — not on existing advantages.

Stage 02 · Track Placement

Match to FLi Psy, STEM, or Data Science

Scholars are placed into the track that best fits their interests, guided by a graduate fellow working as their primary mentor and research lead for the cohort year.

Stage 03 · Cohort Program

Weekly sessions + Journal Club

Scholars meet regularly with their cohort — covering research methods, career navigation, and a weekly Journal Club. Sessions are structured to be rigorous but relatable.

Stage 04 · Research Project

A real research question, owned by the scholar

Each scholar develops and works through a research question of their own — supported by their graduate fellow and the broader cohort community.

Stage 05 · Alumni Pipeline

The cohort never really ends

Alumni return as mentors, serve on our Youth Advisory Board, and keep contributing to the pipeline they came through.


§ 02 — The Three Tracks

Choose the path that fits the question you want to ask.

Track 01

FLi Psy

Psychology & Behavioral Science

An introduction to the study of human minds and behavior — research design, measurement, and the foundations of social-science methodology.

FLi Psy scholars are led through the conceptual and technical skills needed to engage with psychology research: how studies are designed, how constructs are measured, how evidence is weighed. The track is deliberately accessible — scholars need only curiosity and a willingness to read.

What scholars take with them: research-design literacy, the ability to critically read a psychology paper, and hands-on experience developing their own research question.

Track 02

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Our broadest track — biology, chemistry, engineering, and the scientific method itself, through hands-on mentorship from graduate-level fellows.

STEM scholars build a foundation in how science actually gets done: forming hypotheses, designing experiments, and navigating the culture and expectations of research environments. The track pairs scholars with fellows whose own research spans the sciences.

What scholars take with them: exposure to real lab and research environments, confidence speaking the language of science, and clarity about what a scientific career could actually look like.

Track 03

Data Science

Quantitative Methods & Data Literacy

Data literacy is no longer optional — it's the floor for most modern scientific and professional careers. This track makes that floor reachable.

Data Science scholars learn to reason with data: descriptive statistics, basic inference, visualization, and the habits of mind that keep data from being misused. The emphasis is on building real technical confidence — not checking a box.

What scholars take with them: working data literacy, early experience with analytical tools, and the ability to ask and answer quantitative questions.

§ 03 — Cohort History

Three cohorts. One growing community.

Cohort 01 · 2021

The first class

The founding cohort — a proof that structured, cohort-based mentorship could move first-generation and low-income students meaningfully closer to scientific careers.

Cohort 02 · 2022

Scaling the model

The second cohort widened the geographic and disciplinary reach. Testimonials from this class became the backbone of our case for the work.

Cohort 03 · 2024+

Three-track structure

The current cohort is organized around the three tracks — FLi Psy, STEM, and Data Science — each led by a dedicated graduate fellow.

Ready?

Apply for the next cohort.

Recruitment opens each spring. If you're a first-generation or low-income student curious about a career in science, we'd like to hear from you.