Program Overview
Set within MIT’s distinctive culture of scientific inquiry and invention, the MIT Apps for Action Summer Program invites motivated high school students to explore artificial intelligence as a means of creating meaningful change.
Through instruction from MIT teaching staff, collaborative inquiry, and intensive project development, students connect emerging AI capabilities with challenges in education, health, and community life. They move through the full cycle of innovation: framing a consequential problem, investigating user needs, designing an original application, and refining it through testing and evidence.
The experience develops the habits of mind that underpin rigorous technological work: analytical thinking, intellectual independence, responsible judgment, and the ability to translate ideas into purposeful action. In an international learning environment on the MIT campus, students build both the technical foundations and the confidence to contribute as creators of technology.
Learning Objectives
- Identify a problem and define the needs of its users.
- Understand the capabilities and limitations of AI.
- Design, build, and evaluate a working application.
- Communicate technical decisions and project findings.
Academic Context
The program introduces students to an approach to computing centered on practical creation, experimentation, and social impact. MIT’s computing research community and the MIT App Inventor platform provide context for this work.
MIT CSAIL
The Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory is MIT’s largest research laboratory. Formed in 2003 through the merger of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Laboratory for Computer Science, CSAIL builds on more than six decades of computing research.
CSAIL and its predecessors helped shape technologies underlying the modern web, RSA encryption, and the internet. Its research spans artificial intelligence, robotics, computing systems, and theory.
Explore MIT CSAIL ↗MIT App Inventor
MIT App Inventor has reached over 24 million learners across 195 countries, who have collectively created over 100 million apps. As of early 2025, 911,000 learners had explored AI by building 7.7 million AI apps with the platform.
A team of MIT CSAIL staff and students, forms the core of an international community of inventors. The team maintains the free online development environment, leads educational outreach, and studies the platform’s impact on learning.
Learn more about MIT App Inventor ↗Curriculum & Learning Experience
The proposed curriculum brings together academic instruction, applied development, workshops, and small-group project discussions.
01
Problem Definition And Design
Conduct user interviews, identify needs, establish assumptions, and develop a value proposition and product plan.
02
Application Development And AI
Explore interface components, event-driven logic, AI models, and generative AI while building core application functionality.
03
Testing And Iteration
Conduct user testing, address defects, review privacy and safety considerations, and use evidence to improve the application.
04
Project Presentation
Prepare a clear account of the problem, solution, and supporting evidence, culminating in a final project presentation.
Campus And Cultural Activities
Planned activities include Boston museum visits, cultural exploration, and university admissions information sessions involving MIT and Harvard. Specific visits and sessions are subject to final confirmation.
Selected projects may be considered for competition or presentation opportunities associated with the MIT App Inventor Global Appathon / Global Education Summit, as well as other international innovation and project presentation opportunities. Participation is subject to each event’s eligibility requirements, submission rules, and selection process.
Eligibility & Selection
Applications are open to students in grades 9–11 who will be at least 14 years old when the program begins.
Requirements
- Enrollment in grades 9–11.
- A minimum age of 14 at the start of the program.
- A TOEFL iBT overall score of at least 5.0 on the new scale, as specified in the program FAQ.
- An interest in AI, technology, and practical problem-solving.
Application Review
Applications are reviewed holistically, taking into account academic preparation, interest in AI and technology, creativity, problem-solving ability, project potential, and interview performance.
Academic honors, research, competitions, activities, and recommendations may provide additional context.
Dates & Deadlines
Applications open October 15, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to prepare for the first round. A second round has not been confirmed.
Round 2 availability and its final deadline will be announced separately. Enrollment acceptance and payment deadlines will be included in admission offers.
How To Apply
The application portal will open on October 15, 2026. Until then, prospective applicants may begin preparing the following:
- Applicant and parent or guardian information.
- Academic records and English-language test results.
- A summary of academic and extracurricular activities.
- A personal statement or project description explaining interests and relevant experience.
Final document requirements, draft-saving options, and policies for updates or supplementary materials will be published when the application portal opens.
Application Portal · Not Yet Open
Opens October 15, 2026
Please check back when applications open.
Round 1 application deadline: November 30, 2026.
This page does not currently accept application materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a tuition fee, and are scholarships available?
The program charges a tuition fee. Please refer to the information published by your regional admissions team for the applicable amount. A limited number of full-tuition scholarships are available; scholarship awards are confirmed in the admission offer you receive.
Is the program open to applicants worldwide?
yes, The program recruits globally, with application review and selection organized by region.
Is prior programming experience required?
No. Applicants may demonstrate their interest in AI and innovation through coursework, activities, personal projects, or observations of real-world problems.
Can an unsuccessful Round 1 applicant apply in Round 2?
Applicants will receive one of two admission decisions: accepted or denied. Due to the high volume of applications, applicants who are denied in Round 1 will not be reconsidered in Round 2.
Does the program award college credit?
No. The program is non-credit. Students who meet the completion requirements receive a certificate; final certificate details are subject to MIT’s approved documentation.
How are accommodation and transportation arranged?
Students may select MIT dormitory accommodation, subject to availability, or arrange accommodation independently. Housing is not included in tuition. Students are responsible for international and local transportation expenses; the program plans coordinated arrival and departure transfers at a designated airport. Details will be provided separately.
