Dear Zenith students and families,
Thank you for your interest in applying to CCIR Academy’s research programmes. Through CCIR Academy Admissions Portal, students may apply for the following pathways and will be considered based on their academic background, research interests, and programme availability:
- Cambridge Future Scholar Programme: A structured research course delivered in very small groups of up to five students, led by a professor mentor and supported by a dedicated teaching assistant who provides additional academic guidance throughout the programme. Students are expected to complete a research paper and to work with our academic team to prepare submissions to journals or conferences.
- 1-on-1 Research Mentorship: An individualised programme that pairs each student with a professor mentor for deeper, highly focused research development in the student’s chosen subject area. Students are expected to complete a research paper and to work with our academic team to prepare submissions to journals or conferences.
Since its founding in 2019 by professors and alumni from the University of Cambridge, CCIR has established a strong reputation as one of the most rigorous academic research opportunities available to high school students. Each year, we receive over 10,000 applications from highly motivated students worldwide. However, due to the intensive nature of our programmes and the individualized academic support we provide, we can admit only less than 15% of the global applicants per cycle.
Our applicants come from across the globe and reflect some of the most distinguished academic institutions, including Phillips Exeter Academy, The Harker School, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Eton College, Robert College, and Raffles Institution, as well as many others. Among these students are individuals who have represented their countries at the highest level in competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), as well as youth athletes competing at national and international levels, and founders of student-led initiatives, alongside many other distinguished accomplishments.
Due to the highly competitive nature of CCIR programmes, we seek to admit students with outstanding academic potential and demonstrated research readiness. Over the years, we have developed partnerships with a number of leading academic organisations worldwide, including US Science Olympiad, many of which recommend their most outstanding students for CCIR consideration. Zenith Prep Academy is one of CCIR’s long-term academic partners, who vet and refer academically strong students to CCIR Academy.
Applicants indicating their status as an active Zenith student will be given prioritized consideration in admissions, when applicants are otherwise equally qualified*.
*CCIR will not guarantee admission results in any way. Each CCIR admission decision is decided by professors independently.
To start your application to CCIR Academy’s programmes, please proceed to CCIR Academy Admissions Portal and follow the instructions to create your applicant account.
To indicate your status as a Zenith student, you must fill in your Zenith counselor’s email on the Personal Information section:
We encourage you to consult the Zenith team for guidance on:
- How to apply to CCIR
- How to stand out in a competitive admissions process
- How to prepare a strong research interest statement and application materials
Joining CCIR as a student researcher is an invitation to undertake rigorous, university-level research alongside a global cohort of motivated peers. As many alumni have shared, within such an intellectually demanding academic environment at CCIR, through interaction with professors and other exceptional peers, this very experience broadened their intellectual horizons and prepared them to thrive in increasingly competitive academic and professional pathways.