Admission to the Summer Student Program is competitive, and students of all backgrounds are selected.  All students receive a stipend of $6,500 for the 10-week program, including room and board at Highseas (Maine program) or at the University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut program).  The cost of round-trip travel between the student's home and the Laboratory is also provided.

Students are required to attend the entire program.  Students with date conflicts are encouraged to apply despite the conflicts; JAX staff will assist admitted students in negotiating early release, early finals, etc., to facilitate their on-time participation in the program.  Students with significant date conflicts — such as early departure for overseas study — are encouraged to delay their application for another year. Students must not hold another job or internship during the program.

• Bar Harbor campus accepts applications from eligible high school seniors and undergraduate students.
• Farmington accepts applications from eligible undergraduate students only.
• At the time of participation in the 2024 program, a high school student (Bar Harbor) must:
• have completed Grade 12
• be at least 18 years old; and
• be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• At the time of participation in the 2024 program, a college student (Bar Harbor and Farmington) must:
• be at least 18 years old;
• be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student;
• have at least one semester of undergraduate study remaining before graduation; and
• be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.