Summer School of Science is open to all high school students with a strong interest in science, regardless of nationality. University students will not be accepted.
IMPORTANT: It is NOT necessary to have any previous research or science competition experience in order to attend. In fact, students who didn't have a chance to gain similar experience are especially encouraged to apply.
You can apply only by filling in the online application form. When filling out the form, you will need to write a motivation letter and provide us with contact information of one of your teachers (not necessarily in the science field). If needed, we will contact your teacher separately to obtain a recommendation letter. In case you will be applying for scholarship (see below), you will need to upload a separate Scholarship application letter as well.
Incomplete applications will NOT be considered!
If you are still not sure whether you want to apply or not you can submit your e-mail address through this form so we can remind you when the application deadline approaches. Meanwhile, feel free to contact us if you have any concerns about the application process or read through the questions we were frequently asked.
Application opening: March 16th 2023
Application deadline: June 1st 2023 at midnight (00:00 CEST)
Extended applications: June 12th 2023 at midnight (00:00 CEST)
Summer School of Science is organized in two camps: S3 (for grades 9 and 10) and S3++ (for grades 11 and 12).
DATES
S3 2023: July 23rd - August 2nd
S3++ 2023: August 3rd - August 13th
All applications will be reviewed by the school organizers and a certain number of applicants will be selected for interviews. Please, check regularly your e-mails to ensure that you got the response. We will let you know about outcome in both cases, being selected or excluded from the interviews. The advantage is given to students who can benefit the most from the School (eg. they have never participated in something similar before), since usually there are more good applicants than available places. Therefore, it is of great importance to write a good motivation letter! Interviews will be conducted by Skype, this year mid June. Students will be notified by e-mail about the exact time of the interview. During interviews, we focus on wide range of topics (not necessarily science), assess student's proficiency in English and his/her personal motivation. Final selection will be announced in the following week.
We believe that each applicant who has expressed an interest in science should be given the opportunity to develop professionally. However, due to lack of resources, we cannot place all interested students in one of our camps. Therefore, if you were not selected, it doesn't mean you were not good enough and you can always try next year. We still want to maintain contact with you and to offer you guidance when neded. Please visit the Summer School of Science Facebook page. There you can communicate with us, ask questions about science and careers in science, and be informed about many science-related events.
Applicants who are selected to participate at the Summer School of Science have to pay a fee before the School starts (details about payment methods will be provided after selection process is completed). The fee covers accommodation, food, excursion costs and regular antigen Covid testing. Students have to cover their own travel expenses which might also contain additional PCR Covid testing.
The fees in the year 2023 are:
320 EUR (Category I), 560 EUR (Category II) or 650 EUR (Category III)
Category I: for participants coming from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, FYR Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania, or Turkey.
Category II: for participants coming from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom or non-European countries.
Category III: for participants coming from Luxembourg, Norway, or Switzerland.
For currency conversions please click here.
The fee for participants in higher categories reflects the real economic cost of the participation. Thanks to our sponsors, we have managed to reduce one part of the fees in year 2022: those for participants coming from Category I (lower income) countries. However, we are constantly working to find new sponsors in order to further reduce the fee for all participants. If we succeed we will announce new, reduced fee amounts on this website prior to the beginning of the camp. Also, please note that we function inside a non-profit organization and all our mentors work pro bono, so we do not run a profit on the School. We invite all interested donors to contact us.
To help pay the fee, we encourage students to find a sponsor (your school, town or a company; international applicants can also try their embassy). There are several scholarships available each year. Please see the text below for more information.
Every applicant can apply for a scholarship, in which case you will pay the reduced fee amount of which will be announced when applications open.
To qualify, you must include a separate letter in your application, explaining the economic situation of your family. This year we are able to give several scholarships to students who need them the most. A few scholarships are provided by the Society for Out-of-Frame Education.
Additionaly, as of 2018 Dominik "Dino" Knežević Scholarship is also available this year for several students. The priority is given to students of Matija Mesić Gymnasium in Slavonski Brod, Croatia. In case there are no successful candidates from that Gymnasium, it will be awarded to other students from Croatia or abroad, according to the criterion of need. You can find more details here (in Croatian).
Finding a sponsor can seem like a daunting task, especially if you have never tried it before. However, it can provide a lot of benefits. You will get training in fundraising, an important skill for students and scientists, who often have to find financing for their projects, studies or travel to conferences.
In order to find a sponsor, consider both big and small, local, national and international companies. Examples are: banks, state or private companies (especially those which benefit from research and development, like those in the pharmaceutical industry), government structures (schools, your city or county, embassy) or non-governmental institutions. Some of them give donations on a regular basis with competitions with fixed deadlines. In your request, you should include a one-page letter explaining your demand and why the School would be good for your education and career. Include the reasons why you are applying to them. We encourage you to add your CV and a Letter of Support, which we can send you.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We wish you the best of luck! And remember - even if you are unsuccessful, you have gained an important experience.
The principal aim of Summer School of Science is to gather people with professional interests in science and technology, and to provide them with practical experience according to our possibilities. Since only about 40 participants can be admitted each year (around 20 per camp), the organizers select those students who will benefit the most from participation. During the selection process, they will examine each student's background and motivation through the motivational letter and a Skype interview. Thus, it is of uttermost importance to write a good motivational letter, explaining your future goals and interests. The letter is a way for the organizers to get to know you and understand the reasons why you want to participate.
Your motivation letter should include:
The letter should be at least 200 words long, but it can be as long and you want.
Finally, don't be afraid that you will write something "wrong". Honesty and openness are very much appreciated.