Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 vs Summer at Simons
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 is a scholarship while Summer at Simons is a internship.
| Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 | Summer at Simons | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Scholarship | Internship |
| Organization | Ron Brown Scholar Program | Simons Foundation |
| Acceptance Rate | Estimated 5-10% acceptance rate based on prestige tier 1 classification and $40,000 award amount (highly competitive, exact rate unavailable) | Not publicly disclosed, but estimated at 5-15% given high prestige and limited spots per center (~3-10 positions per center per summer) |
| Applicants | Likely 500-2,000+ applicants annually (specific number not available) | Likely 200-500+ total applications across all centers annually, though not confirmed |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | $40,000 | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | No / International |
| Grades | High school seniors (12th grade, graduating class of 2026) | Undergraduate students and graduate/post-doctoral students only - high school students are NOT eligible |
| College Impact | The Ron Brown Scholar Program is viewed very favorably by college admissions officers and is recognized as a prestigious national scholarship. Winning this scholarship demonstrates: (1) Academic excel... | Summer at Simons is viewed VERY POSITIVELY by graduate admissions committees and prestigious employers. Impact includes: 1) STRONG indicator of research capability and commitment to academic career - ... |