Frequently Asked Questions

Exceptional papers may be pursued for publication or connected with top experts.

Unfortunately, we do not offer need-based financial aid as of yet.

Yes, Linkage Education maintains a highly selective admission process, with an acceptance rate of approximately 1.3%. Applicants are evaluated on their academic record, time management skills, demonstrated interest in research, and communication abilities.

High school students (Grades 9-12) with a strong academic record and a passion for research.

Starting at ₹55,000, making it significantly more affordable than other programs (average cost ₹3.8 lakh).

29+ hours of mentorship, including personalized 1:1 guidance, and access to experts in your chosen field of study.

Students should expect a total time commitment of at least 100 hours over the duration of the program. This includes approximately 8–10 hours per week for reading, writing, mentorship sessions, and assignments. Students are encouraged to invest additional time to enhance their research projects if they have the capacity.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

● Be enrolled in high school (Grades 9-12) at the time of application. Most participants are sophomores or juniors.

● Have a strong academic record, typically with an unweighted GPA of 3.67 or equivalent.

● Show meaningful interest or achievement in their chosen subject area through coursework, extracurricular activities, or independent reading.

● Demonstrate excellent time management and punctuality, with at least 10 hours of weekly availability for the program.

● Have reliable internet access, along with a functional microphone and headphones.

The interview assesses personal traits, research interests, preparedness, and subject knowledge. While the exact questions are not disclosed in advance, they focus on understanding the applicant's analytical abilities, motivation, and thought process. There are no 'trick questions', and the emphasis is on critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.

The program is conducted over 13 weeks for all cohorts. Students complete their research papers under the guidance of mentors during this period.

No prior research experience is required. The program is designed to introduce students to academic research and writing, with dedicated mentorship to guide them through the fundamentals.

Sessions are scheduled flexibly to accommodate students’ school schedules and mandatory activities. Classes are typically held on weekday evenings or weekends, ensuring maximum convenience for all participants.

All mentorship sessions are conducted via video conferencing platforms, offering a highly interactive experience. Students and mentors can share screens, use text chat, and engage in discussions like small seminar-style interactions. Visual aids such as presentations and videos are also used to enhance learning.

Program dates are carefully aligned with school calendars to avoid conflicts with major exams and academic commitments. Each cohort runs during specific seasons, including Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Upon successful completion, students produce a college-level research paper, typically around 5,000 words. The program enhances students’ academic writing, critical thinking, and research abilities. Participants also receive a certificate of completion, a grade report based on a university-level rubric, and personalized feedback. Students who excel may obtain recommendation letters from their mentors and explore opportunities for recognition through journals or competitions.

Yes, the program involves a tuition fee that reflects the extensive support provided, including a low mentor-to-student ratio. Contact us for specific details about tuition and financial aid options.

Yes, students retain full intellectual property and authorship rights for all research completed during the program.

The program is designed for high school students (Grades 9–12) and those taking a gap year before college. Most participants are sophomores or juniors, typically within one or two years of graduating high school.

Students begin by identifying 3-5 research subtopics of interest during the application process. Upon acceptance, mentors guide students in refining their research scope and crafting a focused proposal. The final topic and thesis statement are determined collaboratively but remain the student’s responsibility to ensure a personalized and meaningful research experience.

While most fields do not require formal prerequisites, certain advanced STEM topics may recommend prior coursework which will be listed under the course. Students are encouraged to demonstrate foundational knowledge for non-STEM fields through coursework, extracurriculars, or independent study.

Linkage Education is an entirely online program. While STEM research often utilizes publicly available datasets and computational methods, students may independently access local university labs or citizen science spaces for hands-on work if needed.

While Linkage Education does not guarantee publication of research papers developed in its programs, we provide students with resources and guidance to explore publication opportunities. Students motivated to refine and submit their work can target journals such as high school or undergraduate research journals, or conferences in their field of study. Additionally, exceptional work may be connected with experts to further its dissemination.

At the conclusion of the program, mentors will provide an evaluation and assign a grade to each student’s research paper. If a mentor has gained meaningful insight into a student’s academic abilities and contributions, it is appropriate to request a letter of recommendation. However, the decision to provide a letter lies entirely with the mentor, and they will consider the student’s performance throughout the program when making this decision.

Yes, absolutely. Linkage Education supports research in virtually every academic discipline. The topics listed on our website are representative examples rather than an exhaustive list. If there is a community of researchers engaged in your area of interest, we likely have mentors with expertise in that domain.

The Linkage Research Program runs on a semi-annual basis, with sessions in Summer and Winter. Each session is carefully designed to accommodate a new cohort of students. Specific dates and application deadlines for each session are available on our website.

Once enrolled, you will be introduced to your research mentor through email or another agreed platform by our coordination team. From there, you and your mentor will arrange mutually convenient weekly sessions for the program duration. The mentor will provide a personalized Zoom link for the meetings. Should any scheduling issues arise, students can contact the program coordinator for assistance.

If you wish to modify your research question partway through the program, you are encouraged to discuss the feasibility with your mentor. Together, you can assess whether the new topic can be effectively pursued within the remaining time. If it’s not feasible, you may continue with the original question or request an extension of the program. For additional support, contact the program coordinator.

Students are not required to have a predefined research topic when starting the program. Your research question will evolve as you engage with your mentor and explore your interests. Mentors act as guides, helping refine your question by the end of the fourth week. From there, you will finalize your research proposal, draft your paper, and submit the final version during the eighth week.

Linkage Education offers flexible payment terms. Upon acceptance, students are required to pay a deposit to secure their place in the program. Full payment must be completed before the start of the program. Detailed terms and conditions regarding payment are available during the enrollment process.