Nova is the premier provider of academic mentorship for ambitious middle and high school students
Founded by Stanford researchers, Nova connects students with top-tier mentors—PhDs, JDs, and MDs—from the world’s leading universities. These mentors help students develop independent research, create projects or mobile apps with unique intellectual property, and explore the cutting edge of AI.
By the numbers
500+
$70K+
9,000+
200+
Where are those 200+ mentors from?
You deserve world-class support to reach your full potential. That’s why every Nova mentor conducts research or teaches at one of the world’s top five universities—Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, or Princeton—empowering students to create and showcase meaningful work.
Find the right program for you
For high school students looking to bring their ideas to life: team up with a Stanford instructor and a motivated cohort to build—and even apply for a patent on—your own mobile app or hardware project.
For middle and high school students eager to craft exceptional research papers: receive guidance from leading experts in the field, along with publication support for research journals.
For middle school students eager to explore Artificial Intelligence: learn from Stanford Computer Science Master's students and PhD candidates with industry experience and insights into the future of AI.
Nova offers multiple programs to support students in exploring their passions
Build a mobile application or 3D printed invention in that makes a positive impact on your community and the world. Your novel innovation will achieves 'patent pending' status.
Engage in advanced research and write a ~5,000-word, college-level research paper. Students learn essential research methodologies, gain in-depth knowledge in their field, receive support for paper for publication.
Dive into AI fundamentals and essential computer science skills, building a strong foundation in transformative technology and gaining practical experience through a hands-on AI project.
Which Nova Program should you do?
If you're a high school student eager to build a mobile app in your passion area—from healthcare to law—and want a team and mentor to help accelerate the process and create the most intellectually complex version of your vision,
Based on a Stanford Class
14 sessions, 28 hours
Explore Any Topic
"Patent Pending" Status
If you are a middle or high school student passionate about any field—from business to medicine to law—and want to have top-tier, one-on-one mentorship to help you produce outstanding work.
Two program options
The best researchers
Publication support
Flexible scheduling
If you are a middle school student who wants to prepare for the future! Even if you're not planning a career in software, explore the basics of AI—no software experience required—and gain the knowledge needed to excel in any career.
Stanford teachers
10 hours of instruction
Learn at a deeper level
12 cohort start dates
Three reasons why students and parents choose Nova
The best of the best instructors
Our mentors are graduate students—PhDs, JDs, and MDs—from leading universities. We exclusively hire experienced educators from the top five universities, with a mentor acceptance rate of just 15%.
A personalized approach for each student
We identify each student's areas of passion and recommend research projects they can pursue. For example, a student interested in robotics might design a prosthetic arm with an MIT PhD, while another focused on political science could research voter participation Yale JD.
All the extracurriculars you need to stand out
Everything you need—projects, research, internships, and courses—on a single platform. Explore your interests and showcase your passions through various interconnected activities, all of which tie together a compelling narrative.
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Hear from our students
Bella
My mentor went above and beyond, providing personalized feedback, thoughtful discussions, and invaluable career advice. Their passion for research was contagious.
Jess
I thought I needed a strong programming background to understand AI, but Nova’s structured approach made it easy to learn, no matter my starting point.
Anna
Maya was amazing - she knew a lot about AI and convinced me that electrical engineering was the path I wanted to explore next!
Raj
I really liked it - I learned so much! I'm excited to do research next
Richard
Through Nova Research, I learned how to design experiments and interpret results in ways that actually matter. I’m proud of the skills I’ve developed to tackle real-world challenges.
Kate
Learning AI at Nova helped me see connections to fields I never expected—like environmental science, policy, and social impact.
Grace
I never imagined I’d be working on an app that people might actually want and even pay for as a student. Thanks to my team and mentor, I learned how to refine my ideas and transform them into something truly impactful
Taylor
The mentorship at Nova Research is unmatched. My mentor took the time to challenge my ideas, refine my methodology, and help me develop as both a thinker and a scientist.
Keshav
We learned really cool things - from coding to GenAI. I wanted to learn about AI do this was a great experience.
Elena
I’ve always loved problem-solving, and AI opened up a whole new way to approach challenges.
Brianna
Learning AI at Nova helped me see how it connects with my passion for healthcare. I now understand how AI can be used for medical diagnostics and research.
Divya
I used to think AI was just for engineers, but Nova showed me how AI intersects with business, law, and even social justice.
Jessica
My mentor at Nova Research was more than just a guide—they were a true collaborator. Their expertise and encouragement pushed me to think deeper, work smarter, and grow as a researcher.
Priya
I'm glad I did something productive over break! I also liked my cohort
Cassie
AI is changing the world, and Nova helped me understand how I can be part of that change. Now, I want to explore AI in environmental science!
Druv
Despite not having a programming background, Nova Patent provided enough instruction, support, and an incredible team to help me succeed. I loved working on the app design and I felt that I was truly contributing to something meaningful.
Sia
All the hands-on projects made learning computer science and AI fun and exciting
Read what our students have to say on Trustpilot
Excellent
Showing our 4 & 5 star reviews
Nova is a standout program that high school students participate in by collaborating with renowned mentors in their research. My mentor, who is very well-informed, patient, and supportive, helped me through all the stages. The constructive comments they gave me allowed me to shape my research question and write a research paper that is well-structured. The way in which Nova mentors have one-of-a-kind expertise and commitment during every stage of the program truly amazes me. A program I find highly beneficial to any student looking for a challenging and successful research journey, so it can only be highly recommended!
I was very happy to have Nova as my coach! The course went on smoothly all the time without any action and my mentor was really going through the whole process with me. I was enjoying the fall-out time with the students and the feedback which helped me reengineer my own skills through the process of rehearsing. The situation was quite problematic, but, in the end, worth it, and it helped me to free of charge how to back up research that is correct and how to be a proper writer. For me, I can advise (I'd like to suggest) Nova to students that are always looking after research and that are looking for guidance in their journey
The research project was just great, wonderful! The mentorship was first-class—I was lucky to have a very knowledgeable, supportive mentor who not only assisted me throughout the whole time but also helped me to refine my research skills. I got a more comprehensive picture of my topic and adapted the structure of a professional research paper. The direction I got caused a big impact, and I am much more sanguine about my own ability to do independent research now. I can highly recommend it to those students who are seeking to challenge themselves academically!
The structure of this research program is perfect for high school students. It kept me on track without feeling overwhelming.
Didn't expect much at first, but this program was really good! Didn't really care about AI before but it's actually very important for music!
Would recommend to any student looking to build research skills before college.
Fantastic mentorship, my mentor guided me so well.
My mentor was awesome and really cared about my progress. 10/10 experience
We had an issue with our first mentor (our older son did research through Nova as well) but they very quickly found a new paper - I'm proud of what my daughter ended up writing! Was great to see what she can do when she puts her mind to it
I would recommend program
The structure made research so much easier!
This was an amazing experience for my daughter. The tutor was very smart made crafting papers easy. He helped them to gain essential skills needed to make a proper research and compile a well-structured, professional document. Also, I was impressed with the post-meeting recaps because those summaries kept me in the know regarding their progress and engagement in the program. In general, such a well-organized and enriching program—very much recommended
Nova checked in with me after the program had ended to do this review, which was a good thing for me. I was truly quite satisfied with the program, and, in the process, my mentor motivated me to think critically, develop my approach to the subject of my project, and exceed my limits beyond a previously believe state. Their advice was crucial to me to uptick my problem-solving skills and get a better understanding of law. The experience was beneficial, and I would not hesitate to make that recommendation to students who are interested in getting assistance and developing their skills in that field
What made my experience great was how interactive and enjoyable it felt. The program was truly engaging, making learning feel like an exciting journey rather than just another task.
The mentorship in this program was excellent—I was matched with a great mentor who taught me how to conduct research effectively and write a strong, structured paper. The skills I gained will be beneficial long-term, both in academics and in my future career. While the program is expensive, I believe the quality of mentorship and the experience make it worth considering for those serious about research.
This was quite a remarkable journey in mobile app development! The program got a cool mix of theory and the practice of coding, which enabled me to create a functional app from the ground up. The mentors, of course, were indispensable, they deftly escorted me through setbacks and coached me on how to improve my problem-solving abilities. I would like to recommend this course to those who want to acquire more complex app development skills, which will give them a good chance to have REAL USERS.
College acceptance rates 3-7x the national average
Students need to clearly demonstrate their passions to stand out in college admissions . With admissions officers increasingly prioritizing research and advanced projects - students who have expert guidance are best positioned to channel their energy into creating and showcasing meaningful work.
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