Joint Science and Technology Institute West

JSTI West Applications are now open!

The Joint Science and Technology Institute West is a two-week, fully-funded, residential STEM research experience for current high school students in the United States. Participants will engage in research projects mentored by Department of Defense, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratory research scientists and other subject matter experts. The purpose of the institute is to inspire and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, increase STEM literacy, and expose students to the importance of STEM through hands-on, relevant research.

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Information for Applicants

High School Student Information

Eligibility Criteria for High School Student Applicants:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen

  • Must be 16 or older by June 7, 2025

  • Must be entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the 2025-2026 academic year

  • Must submit a reference contact’s email address on the application to be considered. Requests for a reference are automatically sent as part of your application submission.

  • Must be willing to follow all program rules and policies and all safety instructions.

  • Must be able to participate in all activities for the full program period

  • Must be able to reside on-site throughout the full program (lodging and supervision provided)

  • Applications are accepted from students attending schools in the United States or a DoDEA school outside the United States or students who are home schooled.

  • You will be required to adhere to the existing policies, regulations and procedures of your hosting facility including health and safety requirements.

NOTES:

  • Graduating seniors in spring or summer of 2025 are not eligible.
  • Current 8th graders who will be entering the 9th grade in 2025-2026 academic year are not eligible. Please apply next year in the spring of 2026 for the high school program.

High School Teachers

The Joint Science and Technology Institute West for High School Teachers is a two-week, fully- funded, residential STEM research program for current high school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers in the United States. JSTI provides teachers with world–class laboratory research experiences with research scientists. The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities for teachers to learn new skills and conduct STEM research, to learn about new and emerging careers in STEM, and to equip teachers to take the research and innovations in STEM fields back to their classrooms to inspire and encourage the ways in which they teach and their students’ career paths.

Eligibility Criteria for High School Teacher Applicants:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Must be teaching high school courses in grades 9-12 on full-time basis at a school in the United States.
  • Must be a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) teacher during the 2024-2025 academic year.
  • Must plan to continue as a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) teacher during the 2025-2026 academic year.
  • Must have a submitted reference to be considered. Reference requests are sent automatically from your application submission.
  • Must be willing to follow all program and safety instructions.
  • Must be able to participate in all activities for the full-program period, June 7-20, 2025.
  • Must be able to reside on-site throughout the full program (lodging provided).

Middle School Students

The Joint Science and Technology Institute West for Middle School Students is a one-week, fully-funded, residential science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) research program that provides middle school students the opportunity to solve and complete STEM challenges and projects. The hands-on projects provide students with opportunities to develop problem-solving and collaboration skills. The purpose of the program is to provide students with an opportunity to solve STEM challenges while working as a member of a small team and to inspire them to become lifelong STEM learners.

Eligibility Criteria for Middle School Student Applicants:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Must be age 11 by June 14, 2025.
  • Must be entering the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the 2025-2026 academic year.
  • Must have a submitted reference contact’s email address on the application to be considered. Requests for a reference are sent automatically from your application submission.
  • Must be willing to follow all program and safety instructions.
  • Must be able to participate in all activities for the full-program period.
  • Must be able to reside on-site throughout the full program (lodging and supervision provided).
  • Applications are accepted from students attending schools in the United States.
  • You will be required to adhere to the existing policies, regulations and procedures of your hosting facility including health and safety requirements.

NOTES:

Current 8th graders who will be entering the 9th grade in 2025-2026 academic year are not eligible. Please apply next year in the spring of 2026 for the high school program.

JSTI Alumni

The Joint Science and Technology Institute is inviting former participants to apply to attend the JSTI West High School Institute as an Alumnus. This two-week Institute is a fully- funded, residential science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) research Institute. Alumni will assist in research projects mentored by Department of Defense (DOD) research scientists and other subject matter experts and assist with other Institute activities, as assigned. Alumni are to inspire and encourage program participants to learn new skills, conduct STEM research, and to learn about current and emerging careers in STEM. Alumni will further promote and cultivate meaningful and appropriate relationships with JSTI students, staff, and researchers.

Eligibility Criteria for JSTI Alumni:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be a past JSTI participant
  • Must have a submitted reference to be considered. Reference requests are sent automatically from your application submission
  • Must be willing to follow all Institute and safety instructions
  • Must abstain from smoking, vaping and alcohol/illegal drug use for the entire duration of residence at the Institute, including off-hours
  • Must be able to participate in all pre- and post-activities and for the full-Institute period
  • Must be able to reside on-site throughout the full program (lodging and meals provided)
  • You will be required to adhere to the existing policies, regulations and procedures of your hosting facility including health and safety requirements.

NOTES:

  • Please note that JSTI is a non-smoking, non-vaping, and non-alcohol/illegal drug Institute.
  • JSTI Alumni must agree to abstain from smoking, vaping, and alcohol/illegal drug use for the entire duration of the Institute and during any on-site residence, including off-hours.

Learn more about JSTI West from former participants!



JSTI West Final Presentations

Participants in the 2024 Joint Science and Technology Institute West program presented their research projects at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Watch the video