Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS)

The Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS) program is a free summer chemistry shadowing program at Stanford University for rising high school juniors and seniors who live near campus. It is run by the Stanford Department of Chemistry. Over two weeks, students observe and talk with several different chemistry graduate students as they do their research. Instead of completing an independent research project, participants get a broad look at many research topics and lab techniques. The 2026 program ran June 15 to June 26, 2026, on weekday mornings from 9 AM to 12 PM, in person on the Stanford campus. The program does not charge a fee, but it does not cover housing, meals, transportation, or parking.

Students must have turned 16 by the first day of the program, and recent high school graduates are not eligible. Applicants must both live and attend school (or homeschool) in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, or San Mateo county, and must be available for the full two weeks. To apply, students submit an online application form, and a recommender emails a one-page letter of recommendation. The use of AI to prepare an application is not allowed.