GeneLab for High Schools Application Instructions

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants for the GL4HS program must:

• Be U.S. citizens*

Student candidates must:

• Be at least 16 years old on or before December 31, 2025
• Be entering their junior or senior year of high school in Fall 2025
• Have a GPA or equivalent of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Have taken at least one high school biology course (please note that AP Biology is not a requirement of this program)
• Have a passion for learning and for Space Biology
• Must be available to participate every day of the full four weeks of the summer program;
  • Due to the synchronous and group-based modules of the program, we kindly ask that: 1) you are NOT traveling during the virtual program; 2) students must be present in the US for the duration of the four-weeks; 3) students are not on trips/vacations during the program

Application Instructions

Complete this application form by completing all fields.

Application Requirements

After filling in the fields on the application form you will be required to submit a redacted copy of your most current high school transcript. The following information should be redacted (blacked out) on your transcripts: name and address of school, your home address and phone number.  What should remain visible on the transcripts you provide should be; your first and last name, lists of course titles taken each semester and final course grades, overall GPA (if applicable). The final version you upload with your application should be in PDF format. Failure to properly redact and submit your high school transcripts in the proper format will invalidate your application.

Click here to see an example of an improperly redacted high school transcript.

Click here to see an example of a properly redacted high school transcript.

NOTE: The top student applicants for the summer 2025 program will be invited to provide two letters of recommendation from adults who are unrelated to the student applicant. NASA representatives will reach out to them directly to request completion of a recommendation form using the email addresses provided on your application. Please be sure to provide correctly spelled email addresses and full names of recommenders on your application form.

Teacher candidates must:

• Have at least one full year of teaching experience in a STEM subject, preferably biology or related subject
• Intend to incorporate program content in at least one course in their class curriculum
• Due to the synchronous and group-based modules of the program, we kindly ask that: 1) you are NOT traveling during the virtual program; 2) teachers must be present in the US for the duration of the four-weeks; 3) teachers are not on trips/vacations during the program

GL4HS is an equal opportunity program. All applications received will be reviewed by NASA. Students will be selected based on their academic records, their reference letters, and their personal statement. Teachers will be selected based on the scope and reach of their courses and a follow-up interview.

(*) Citizens of US territories Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Marianas are eligible U.S. citizens.

Applications for the summer 2024 program have closed

NOTE: A selection of candidate references (listed in the student applications) will be contacted after the initial reviews to provide a letter of recommendation. References listed in your application should be someone who knows you (not a member of your family) well enough to provide thoughtful responses to the following;

1. How long you have known the student applicant and in what capacity
2. Rate the candidate’s academic achievement and motivation
3. Knowledge of the applicant’s intellectual curiosity and potential for growth
4. Any barriers to achievement that the applicant has faced and how did the applicant overcome these barriers, OR how has the student demonstrated the ability to overcome frustrating experiences
5. An assessment of the applicant’s interest in space, biology, and other STEM topics

Teacher Applications

Applications for the 2024 summer program have closed.