National Program Applications

2026-2027 Applications open mid-September 2025!

Join us for an application webinar on October 2, 2025, to learn more about the 2026-2027 Program. Please register in advance. A recording of the webinar will be posted to this webpage following the webinar.
 

GSK Science in the Summer™ is a free, informal science summer program for youth entering grades 2-6. 

Supported by GSK and offered in collaboration with The Franklin Institute, the goal of Science in the Summer is to increase youth's interest and confidence in doing science and pursuing STEM careers, especially for youth in under-resourced communities.  

Learn more about the informal science education organizations across the country in our 2025 national network and curriculum theme, Be a Health Scientist! 
 

Benefits

Accepted organizations will commit to a two-year program cycle, with training taking place from January to May in both 2026 and 2027, and program delivery occurring each summer. Participating organizations will receive a range of benefits, including but not limited to:

  • Annual stipend to support program implementation and purchasing of program materials; materials kits will be available to purchase again (more information will be shared during the application webinar)
  • High-quality curriculum, activity guides, and training resources (2026 theme: Be a Chemist!)
  • Professional development for participating staff through a series of training webinars.
  • Increased capacity to connect with local community organizations and provide science programming to youth in under-resourced communities
  • Access to a national network of organizations dedicated to providing equitable STEM experiences
  • Access to GSK volunteers to support your program efforts 

  • Ongoing technical support from the program team to deliver GSK Science in the Summer™ 
     

Summarized Program Expectations

  • Identify two qualified program leads from your organization who will coordinate the program, report on deliverables, and ensure your organization meets all program expectations
  • Coordinate all program logistics, including materials management, recruitment of local community partners, selection and training of qualified educators by May of each program year, tracking attendance, and ongoing communication with TFI
  • Identify a program trainer (can be one of the program leads) to train educators and ensure your organization is following program training requirements
  • Deliver 4 to 5 activities from the curriculum (an update from the previous 3 to 5 activity requirement) for free to the required number of youth between June and September each year. The number of youth served will vary based on program size—ranging from 400 to 1,000—and can be proposed in increments of 100.
  • Programs should be delivered in-person 

  • Programs must be delivered by trained educators, which may include educators at your organization or educators from community partners 
     

Who Should Apply?

The Franklin Institute is accepting applications from informal science education organizations (“organizations”) such as science museums, science centers, children’s museums, youth-serving organizations, and universities that demonstrate: 

  • A strong history of outreach programming, community partnerships, and/or whose existing audience aligns with the program goals 

  • A strong commitment and capacity to meet the program goals and expectations as outlined above 
     

How to Apply

  • Join us for an application webinar on October 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM PT | 1:00 PM CT | 2:00 PM ET. Please register in advance. A recording of the webinar will be posted to this webpage following the webinar.
  • Visit this webpage to access the application in mid-September 2025. Applications will be due in October 2025. Additional instructions will be shared via email once the application is released.

Please contact us nationalsis@fi.edu with questions.
 

Testimonials

“The support that [The Franklin Institute staff] provide, they basically hand us this program on a silver platter. It’s fully ready to be deployed and they provide the support with the trainings and the webinars to make sure that we feel comfortable with it.” 
– 2024 National Program Participant

“I think [Science in the Summer has] made us better educators. I feel that we have been able to integrate everything that we have learned from the program into what we currently do. And it’s elevated the program significantly to the point where we constantly have requests for us to come into schools or participate in different programs. And so, it’s helped us with our reputation in the state as well.” 
– 2024 National Program Participant

“We want to get students career-ready and the Science in the Summer program completely aligns with everything that we love to do.” 
– 2024 National Program Participant