Application for 2026 BACI Upward College Summer Scholars Program Released

March 13, 2026 – Burmese American Community Institute is pleased to announce today the releasing of the application for 2026 BACI Upward College Summer Scholars Program.

2026 Upward College Summer Research Scholars

The Upward College Summer Scholars Program is a highly interactive, fun, and intensive policy oriented academic 8 to 10-weeks research project that focusing on college access, English training, critical thinking and leadership development. Participants will have opportunities to work on group research projects that emphasize social justice issues currently facing our communities and societies. The students will each conduct a research project on the topic of his or her interests, in line with future educational and career goals, with a global perspective. Students will then produce academically written papers and present the major research findings, policy and solution recommendation ready to be implemented at the end of the program. The program utilizes the Participatory Action Research model as a primary tool a process that has emerged more recently as a methodology for societal grassroots change, program development, and evaluation. Each participating student is a “Summer 2026 Scholar” and will receive a stipend.

Education and Leadership Trip to New York will be included as part of this year’s Research.

Eligibility:

Youths from local High Schools who are:

• Grade: 9, 10, 11, or 12 (in 2026-2027 school year);
• Are between the ages of 15 and 22 (in 2026-2027 school year);
• Interested in personal and leadership development, and
• Interested in college level Intensive English Training and going to college.

To apply, please complete the questions below:

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Which program are you applying to? *

• Research Program (UCSSP)
• College Prep-Leadership Development Program (CPLDP)

**NOTE: Research is only for 9th-12th graders** **NOTE: CPLDP is for anyone who are in 6th-12th grade**

Name *

First

Last

Date of Birth *

Your Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Your Phone Number *

Your Email *

Name of Your School *

Student ID Number *

Grade Level (currently) *

GPA *

Are you currently participating (or have you previously participated) in BACI Upward College Program? *

• Yes
• No

What is your household size? (How many people live in your house?) *

What was your parents' total annual family/household income in 2025? *

Are you being cared for by a single parent? *

• Yes
• No

If yes, please write "N/A" under "Other." If no, please provide the full names and dates of birth for both parents.

Father's Name *

First

Last

Father's Phone Number *

Father's Date of Birth *

Mother's Name *

First

Last

Mother's Phone Number *

Mother's Date of Birth *

What is your parent's email? *

Emergency Contact Name *

Relationship *

Phone *

Tell us briefly why you want to participate in this program? *

Your Signature (please sign by typing your initials or your full name) *

Submit

Application deadline is in May 13th. We will call/email you soon after we receive your application to set up an interview. We will be conducting interviews on a first come first serve basis. We will notify you by early mid May, the latest by end of May, to let you know if you are accepted to the Program. We will hold all students & a parent orientation on late May. The selected Scholar starts a Research Project on June 1nd and presents the research findings in the early week of August.

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