Application deadline
15 May 2026
Brown’s application timetable lists this date; its FAQ gives 8 May 2026.
Hybrid Program
Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)
Brown’s CRE program guides students through original scientific research, from developing a question and designing an experiment to presenting findings at a research symposium.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Course-Based Research Experiences at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Completing grades 10-12
Age range / Year group
Ages 16-18
Location / Region
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Cost
$10,858; $8,902
Duration
5 weeks
Format
Hybrid
BiologyScienceArtificial IntelligenceSpace & physics
Language: English
Accommodation: Single, double or triple residence rooms
Meals: Residential: 3/day; commuter: 1/day
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Sessions / cadence: Online: 1-3 live/week; 15-20 hours/week
Main output: Research project and symposium poster
Recognition: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
Course-Based Research Experiences summary
CRE takes students through original scientific research, from identifying an unanswered question to designing and conducting a project.
Students develop their ideas directly with instructors and communicate their findings through a research poster symposium.
It suits students who want to test whether they enjoy the uncertainty, persistence and independence of research.
What is Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)?
Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE) is Brown University’s Pre-College research program built around questions that science has not yet answered. Students work through literature review, hypothesis development and experimental design before conducting their own research. Course topics include reverse genetics, antibiotic discovery, nanotechnology, wild yeast, machine learning for physics and astronomy, and active matter.
The hybrid structure connects online preparation with practical research on Brown’s campus. Students work directly with instructors to develop a novel project and encounter both successful and unsuccessful approaches. A research poster symposium gives them a concrete opportunity to explain their findings.
Why Succeed highlights Course-Based Research Experiences
Students develop an original research question rather than simply follow a predetermined experiment.
Online literature review and experimental planning give the campus research a clear academic purpose.
The symposium requires students to communicate findings beyond their own project work.
Instructor office hours, library access and writing support provide practical academic resources.
A Course Performance Report adds instructor feedback alongside the completion certificate.
Who is Course-Based Research Experiences for?
Best for
Students who enjoy scientific questions, can manage independent work and want to experience how research develops through trial and revision.
Not ideal if
You need college credit, expect a guaranteed experimental result or have other commitments that would require missing classes.
Is Course-Based Research Experiences worth it?
CRE offers a useful test of whether you enjoy scientific research as a process. Developing a question, adjusting an experiment and explaining findings can provide more insight into the subject than a course focused only on learning established content. Its strongest value is the experience and reflection you gain from doing the work.
The workload and residential fee make it a substantial family commitment. It is non-credit, and Brown explicitly says Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admission. Choose it for the research topic and learning experience, rather than expecting an admissions advantage.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$10,858; $8,902; includes One five-week hybrid research course., Residential housing during the three campus weeks., Three daily meals for residential students., One daily campus meal for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics facilities during the campus phase., Program activities and excursions., Digital completion certificate after successful completion., Instructor Course Performance Report..
Accommodation
Single, double or triple residence rooms
Meals
Residential: 3/day; commuter: 1/day
Supervision or safety information
Trained residential staff support students, with a required face-to-face check-in at 10 p.m. Eastern Time and staff on call around the clock. Students also have substantial independence outside required activities.
Provider details
Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
5 weeks; Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Course-Based Research Experiences need?
Effort level
High.
Best started
Allow four to six weeks before the next application deadline for documents and essay revisions, and longer for visas.
Main challenge
Managing an original project while responding constructively to unsuccessful experiments.
Typical preparation
Read the CRE course descriptions and identify which scientific question interests you most.
Gather two academic years of grades and draft the required 250-500-word essay.
Plan a schedule that protects live sessions, daily study and every campus class.
Arrange travel, health forms and accessibility requests early; online orientation takes a few hours in the week before classes.
Useful if
You want to test your interest in scientific research.
What do students do on Course-Based Research Experiences?
You develop an original scientific research project with course instructors, building from existing literature and an unanswered question. You then conduct the research and explain your findings to others.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Complete the online Canvas orientation and review course expectations.
- 2
Learn relevant subject content, research methods and tools.
- 3
Conduct a literature review and discuss your research interests with instructors.
- 4
Develop a hypothesis and experimental design.
- 5
Complete your research during the campus phase.
- 6
Present a research poster at the symposium and, in some courses, give an in-class presentation.
Course-Based Research Experiences dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
22 June-24 July 2026
Applications open
14 January 2026
2026 application cycle.
Final admission decisions
22 May 2026
Residential check-in
5 July 2026
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern Time at Sayles Hall.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 15 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 22 June-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 14 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Final admission decisions | 22 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Residential check-in | 5 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Completing grades 10-12.
Ages 16-18 by 15 June 2026 for the 2026 cycle.
Strong English language proficiency.
Meet the selected course’s prerequisites.
Receive Brown Pre-College admission and enroll separately.
Submit required English test results when applicable.
How much does Course-Based Research Experiences cost?
Residential program fee
$10,858 — 2026 total for one five-week hybrid course.
Funding or discounts
- Commuter program fee: $8,902 — 2026 total with one campus meal daily.
- Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; eligible applicants may request a waiver.
- Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment and generally non-refundable.
- Sibley Scholarship: Need-based aid — Separate application; qualifying U.S. status required; one course yearly.
- Required insurance: $80 — For international students and U.S. students without qualifying coverage.
What's included
One five-week hybrid research course., Residential housing during the three campus weeks., Three daily meals for residential students., One daily campus meal for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics facilities during the campus phase., Program activities and excursions., Digital completion certificate after successful completion., Instructor Course Performance Report.
How to apply to Course-Based Research Experiences
- 1
Review CRE course descriptions, prerequisites and age requirements.
- 2
Create one applicant account in Brown’s Student Portal.
- 3
Complete the application form and required 250-500-word essay.
- 4
Upload grades from the current and previous academic years in English.
- 5
Submit required English proficiency results and any declared recommendation.
- 6
Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible fee waiver.
- 7
Monitor your portal and email for additional requirements and the admission decision.
- 8
After admission, confirm your course choice before paying the $500 deposit and enrolling separately.
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What does Course-Based Research Experiences cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Reverse genetics and antibiotic discovery
Course options examine C. elegans through reverse genetics or investigate soil microbes for antibiotic discovery.
Nanotechnology
Explore the scientific possibilities of small materials through the nanotechnology course option.
Wild yeast identification
Investigate wild yeast identification through Fermentation Frontiers.
Machine learning for physics and astronomy
Explore how machine learning can support inquiry in physics and astronomy.
Active matter
Study collective behavior through the tabletop-focused active matter course option.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Course-Based Research Experiences?
A typical day during the program.
Online coursework
Log in daily, complete asynchronous content and attend one to three live sessions each week.
Campus classes
Attend every class during the campus phase.
Independent work
Campus homework may include reading, research, writing, group projects and presentations.
Residential check in
Check in face to face and remain on your floor until 6 a.m.
Who teaches on Course-Based Research Experiences?
Course instructors work directly with students to develop a novel research project and offer office hours for questions about content and assignments. CRE’s program director is Abbey Aevazelis, Brown’s Associate Director of Pre-College Programs and Director of STEM Programs.
Where do students stay on Course-Based Research Experiences?
Residential plan
- Residence hall rooms: Single, double or triple rooms have college furniture, wireless internet and air conditioning.
- Three daily meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in Brown’s all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
- Residential support: Trained staff provide support, with nightly 10 p.m. check-ins and staff on call 24/7.
- Campus activities: Program activities, excursions and access to fitness, athletic and aquatics centers are included.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter option: Attend campus classes and activities while arranging your own accommodation.
- Commuter meals and facilities: Receive one campus meal daily and access to fitness, athletic and aquatics centers.
Campus housing covers the campus phase only; students should bring their own bedding and towels.
What happens after Course-Based Research Experiences?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Complete an original research project.
Present findings through a symposium poster.
Earn a Digital CeCertificate after successful completion.
Receive an instructor Course Performance Report.
Develop subject interest and familiarity with college-level research.
CRE is non-credit and does not confer preferential consideration for Brown undergraduate admission.
Where does Course-Based Research Experiences take place?
The campus phase takes place at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with residential check-in at Sayles Hall on the Main Green. Families arrange transportation to and from campus; Brown Pre-College does not provide travel assistance.
International families should begin visa planning early; Brown Pre-College does not sponsor F-1 or J-1 student visas.
Learning format
The online phase blends asynchronous Canvas coursework with one to three scheduled live sessions each week, daily logins and 15-20 hours of total weekly work. Students then move to weekday campus classes lasting three hours, with at least two to three additional hours of homework daily.
Mentorship and feedback
Work directly with instructors to develop a novel research project.
Discuss research interests and preliminary ideas during online preparation.
Use instructor office hours for questions and deeper discussion.
Request Writing Center support for writing assignments.
Access language support when English is not your primary language.
Receive an instructor-written Course Performance Report.
Time-zone considerations
- Attend one to three pre-scheduled online live sessions weekly.
- Reserve 15-20 hours weekly for the online phase.
- Log in to Canvas at least once each day.
- Campus classes run every weekday.
- Residential check-in and curfew use Eastern Time.
Tech requirements
A computer with reliable internet access.
A webcam and microphone.
Word processing software such as Word or Google Docs.
A PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat.
Zoom for blended live sessions.
Assessment style
CRE uses project work, participation, a research poster presentation and an instructor performance report without formal grades.
- Complete readings, assignments and course assessments on time.
- Maintain active online participation and attend campus classes.
- Present research findings at the poster symposium.
- Some courses also require an in-class presentation.
- Successful completion determines certificate eligibility.
Portfolio / outputs
Main deliverable / output
The main output is an independent scientific research project presented at the CRE symposium.
Literature review and experimental design.
Research poster for the symposium.
In-class presentation in some courses.
Digital CeCertificate after successful completion.
Instructor Course Performance Report.
Course-Based Research Experiences FAQs
Students begin with two weeks online, developing subject knowledge, reviewing literature and designing their research. They then spend three weeks on Brown’s campus completing the project and presenting findings.
Plan for 15-20 hours per week, daily Canvas logins, asynchronous work and one to three scheduled live sessions each week.
Students complete an independent research project and present a research poster at the final symposium. Some courses also include an in-class presentation.
CRE is non-credit. Successful completion earns a Digital CeCertificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report.
A commuter option includes course attendance, campus resources and activities, one campus meal per day and fitness facilities. It does not provide campus housing.
No. Students apply to Brown Pre-College and must separately enroll in an eligible course after admission and payment of the non-refundable deposit.
Trained residential staff support students, with a required face-to-face check-in at 10 p.m. Eastern Time and staff on call around the clock. Students also have substantial independence outside required activities.
Alternatives to Course-Based Research Experiences
Compare these options if you prefer biology-focused study, individual online research mentorship or a shorter science course.
Alternatives to Course-Based Research Experiences
In-person biology research study
Biology
Deadline: Not announced
From $3500
14-18
In-person
Best for
Students seeking biology-focused research
One-to-one online research mentorship
Literature
Deadline: Not announced
From $3900
14-18
Online
Online
Best for
Students preferring individual online research support
Online study of biochemistry topics
Biology
Deadline: Not announced
From $3200
14-17
Online
Online
Best for
Students exploring biochemistry through online study
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Sibley Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- CeCertificate Access | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Summer@Brown Hybrid Course-Based Research Experience (CRE) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Connect With Us | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Fee Waivers | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Visa and Immigration Related Procedures — Frequently Asked Questions
- 2026 Program Costs — Breakdown of Fees
- Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
Program identity checked
Eligibility reviewed
Hybrid schedule checked
Residential and commuter fees checked
Application date discrepancy identified
Scholarship restrictions reviewed
Completion credentials checked
Residential support reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE)
by Brown Pre-College Programs
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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