A Semester of Discovery.
A Lifetime of Possibilities.
PRIME-R (Pre-College Research Internships & Mentored Experience in Robotics) places motivated high school students directly into University of Maryland research laboratories.
Participants commit to the program for a full semester, working on meaningful projects that address real-world challenges in robotics and intelligent systems.
Program Benefits
- Minimum commitment: 8–10 hours per week (more hours welcome)
- Collaborate on real research alongside faculty and graduate students
- Gain experience that strengthens college and scholarship applications
- Explore advanced topics in robotics, artificial intelligence, and engineering
Explore. Learn. Create.
Students may be matched with laboratories conducting research in the following areas:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Autonomous Ground Vehicles
- Aerial Robotics & Drones
- Medical Robotics
- Soft Robotics
- Bio-inspired Robotics
- Human-Robot Interaction
- Computer Vision & Perception
A Competitive Process. A Strong Match.
Students are carefully matched with laboratories to ensure a meaningful research experience.
Step 1
Online Application
Complete and submit the online application by the posted deadline.
Step 2
Transcript & Letter of Recommendation
Submit an unofficial high school transcript and one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or mentor.
Step 3
Review by MRC Staff
Applications are reviewed by Maryland Robotics Center staff to evaluate academic preparation, interest in robotics, and overall program fit.
Step 4
Matching with Faculty Laboratories
Qualified applicants are matched with University of Maryland faculty members and research laboratories based on their interests and available projects.
Step 5
Virtual Interview with Potential Lab
Students participate in an interview with a faculty member or graduate student from their prospective research laboratory.
Step 6
Final Acceptance
Selected students receive an official acceptance letter with onboarding instructions and program expectations.
Step 7
Welcome to PRIME-R!
Begin your research journey at the University of Maryland, working alongside faculty and graduate student mentors on cutting-edge robotics research.
The cost of the PRIME-R program is $5,000 per student.
The program fee includes:
- Access to University of Maryland research laboratories
- Faculty and graduate student mentorship
- All research project materials and supplies
- Educational activities and program events
- Professional development opportunities
Because PRIME-R is a commuter program, lunch and transportation to and from the University of Maryland are not provided.
Participants must be signed in and signed out each day by an authorized adult, unless they have a Self-Transportation Waiver on file. The waiver can be found in the Resources section of this page.
