Frequently Asked Questions
About The Foreword
What is The Foreword?
The Foreword is an online mentorship program that pairs curious high school students one-on-one with vetted mentors with PhD or industry-level expertise. Over ten sessions, usually spread across four to six months, your student develops an original research project of their own.
Along the way, we help them help them shape that work into a compelling personal story of what drives them. That story can become a valuable asset in college admissions, but more importantly, it helps them discover their own direction.
No prior research experience is needed. The Foreword is part of Terra Education, the organization behind Summer Springboard and Global Leadership Adventures.
What programs does The Foreword offer?
Our flagship program is the Research Fellowship, where students work one-on-one with an expert mentor over ten sessions to develop and complete an original research project.
Two optional programs complement the Fellowship:
– The Foreword Pathfinder Lab (before the Fellowship): Three sessions to explore potential research interests, narrow down ideas and choose a project to pursue.
– The Foreword Launch Lab (after the Fellowship): Three sessions focused on identifying opportunities to submit, present or publish completed research and preparing it for those opportunities.
Which option is right for my student?
It depends on where your student is starting from:
• Curious, but not sure what to study yet? Start with the Foreword Pathfinder Lab to explore potential research interests before moving into the Research Fellowship. Pathfinder Lab is only available alongside the Fellowship.
• Already has a topic or question in mind? The Research Fellowship on its own is a great fit.
• Wants to publish, present, or compete with the finished work? Add the Foreword Launch Lab for guidance on finding opportunities and preparing finished research for submission. You can add it at enrollment or at any point during the Fellowship.
Not sure? Our admissions team will help you decide during your consultation call.
Who is The Foreword for?
The Foreword is for curious, self-motivated students who want to do more with an interest than school allows. That might mean exploring a possible major, taking a class topic further, building expertise, or making something real. You don’t need prior research experience. What matters most is curiosity and a willingness to do the work.
Is there a minimum age or grade?
The Foreword is designed for students in grades 9–12. Students must be at least 13 years old, and those under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian. If your student falls outside the grade range, contact our admissions team to confirm their eligibility.
How is The Foreword different from a class or summer program?
There’s no set syllabus. You choose the question you want to explore, and your Mentor guides you through the research process at a pace that fits your schedule. You can work on your project during the school year or over the summer. Your Mentor brings expertise and support, but you’re the one driving the research, so the finished work is truly your own.
Mentors & The Mentorship Experience
Who are the mentors?
Our Mentors include researchers with PhDs and industry experts spanning more than 150 fields. Many were recently students themselves, so they understand what it’s like to take on a big project and turn curiosity into meaning. Every Mentor undergoes a credential review, live interview and background check, and completes thorough training before working with students.
We work with thousands of vetted Mentors. If your student’s project calls for expertise outside our existing network, we’ll find, vet and train a Mentor specifically for them.
How is my mentor chosen?
After enrollment, you’ll complete a short form about your student’s interests, goals and schedule. Our matching team then shares their profile with Mentors whose expertise is a good fit.
Mentors choose which projects to take on, so your student’s Mentor has personally decided to work with them. Most students are matched within one to two weeks of submitting the form.
Can I request a specific mentor, or a mentor from a particular university?
You’re welcome to share any mentor preferences with us, and we’ll take them into consideration. While we can’t guarantee a specific person or someone from a particular university, we prioritize subject expertise and compatibility to find the right match for your student.
What if my mentor isn't the right fit?
After your first session, you and your Mentor each rate the match. If something isn’t working, contact our student support team right away. We’ll arrange a new match if your Mentor’s expertise isn’t right for your project, your first session doesn’t go well, your mentor is unresponsive or misses sessions, your schedules don’t align or your Mentor needs to step away.
There’s no limit on rematches as long as these criteria are met. However, we can’t offer rematches solely to secure a Mentor from a particular university or with a more advanced degree.
Our Mentor Guarantee: If you’re unhappy with your mentor after your first session, we’ll find you a new match or give you a full refund.
How often will I meet with my mentor?
You and your Mentor set the pace together. During the school year, most students meet every week or two, while summer sessions typically take place weekly. Each session lasts about an hour, though you can split it into two 30-minute calls if that works better for your schedule. You’ll also have short assignments to complete between sessions.
Can I talk to my mentor between sessions?
Yes. Every student has a private online workspace where they can message their Mentor, share files and collaborate on documents. For everyone’s safety, all communication between students and Mentors takes place through The Foreword’s platform. Your workspace and chat history remain accessible after your Fellowship ends. There isn’t a Foreword mobile app at this time.
Are sessions recorded?
Yes. All sessions take place through The Foreword’s platform and are recorded and monitored to support student safety and maintain program quality. Students can also download transcripts of their sessions.
What support do I get besides my mentor?
Our student support team is available to answer questions throughout your project at theforeword-students@research-project.com.
You’ll also have access to:
– Two rounds of written feedback on your drafts from a second expert matched to your research topic
– A curated database of opportunities to showcase your work
– A student guidebook with helpful research resources
Will my mentor write me a recommendation letter?
That decision is up to each Mentor. Most are happy to support students who have completed strong work, but recommendation letters are only available to students who complete the full ten-session Research Fellowship. If you’d like a letter, we recommend discussing it with your Mentor early and sharing any relevant deadlines.
If your Mentor isn’t able to provide a letter, a PhD-qualified member of our academic team can write one instead.
Projects & Outcomes
What can I study?
Almost anything. Our Mentors have expertise in more than 150 fields spanning STEM, the humanities, social sciences, business and the arts. Topics range from neuroscience and machine learning to history, fashion and music.
Can I use AI tools to write my project?
No. Your writing and code must be your own, and AI-generated projects aren’t accepted. Submitted work may be checked with Turnitin for plagiarism and AI-generated text. Everyday assistive tools like Grammarly are fine, but expectations can vary by field. If you’re unsure whether a tool is appropriate, ask your Mentor.
You can absolutely explore AI as a research topic, though. Students can build machine learning models, study how AI affects society or develop apps and coding projects. For hands-on coding projects, you’ll likely need some programming experience to make progress between sessions. If you’re new to coding, your Mentor can help you find a project that fits your skills.
Who owns my work?
You retain ownership of your project. However, using the platform grants it a license to use your work, including to help train AI systems. You can opt out of having your work used for AI training at any time by emailing our student support team at theforeword-students@research-project.com.
For more information about how your work may be used, please review the platform’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Can I get college credit?
At this time, The Foreword doesn’t currently offer college credit. However, students finish the Research Fellowship with an original project they can share, along with valuable research, writing and communication skills. They can also highlight their work in college applications, on resumes and during interviews.
Does my project need ethics approval (IRB)?
Only in some cases. If your project involves people (for example, surveys or experiments that measure something about participants) and you plan to publish, enter a science fair, or present at a conference, you’ll usually need Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Literature reviews, analysis of publicly available data and observation in public spaces without collecting identifying information generally don’t require approval. Your Mentor and our team will help you determine what’s needed for your project.
Can I add The Foreword Launch Lab later?
Yes. You can add the Launch Lab at any point during your Research Fellowship, so there’s no need to decide at enrollment. Tuition remains the same whether you add it upfront or later.
Can I get my work published or presented?
Many students share their work through high school research journals, science fairs, competitions and conferences. Every Fellow has access to a curated database of these opportunities.
For students who want additional support, The Foreword Launch Lab offers three sessions with a specialist to help identify suitable outlets and prepare strong submissions. Depending on the project, potential outlets include the Journal of Emerging Investigators, The Concord Review, the International Journal of High School Research and relevant IEEE publications.
Publication, presentation and competition acceptance decisions are made by the respective organizations, so we can’t guarantee a particular outcome.
Are there projects you can't support?
For safety and ethical reasons, we can’t support projects involving:
• testing on vertebrate animals
• hands-on work with bodily fluids or human waste
• controlled substances
• weapons
• sexual content
We also can’t support projects designed to prove a predetermined conclusion or based on discriminatory premises.
Many ideas that fall into these categories can be adapted into projects we can support. Your Mentor can help you explore alternative approaches.
What will I have when I finish?
You’ll have a completed project you can share, along with the research, writing and communication skills you’ve developed along the way. The Research Fellowship is structured around three milestones: a defined research question, a working draft and a final project. Students who complete all ten sessions also receive a certificate of completion.
Can I change my topic after I start?
Yes. Your Mentor will help you develop a project plan early on, but that plan can evolve as you learn more. Small changes in direction are a natural part of research. If you’re considering a more significant change, talk it through with your Mentor to make sure you can still complete your project within the ten sessions.
What kinds of projects can I do?
Most projects fall into one of three types:
- Original research: Collect or analyze data yourself, including publicly available datasets. This approach works well for science fairs and many research journals.
- Literature review: Examine and critically assess existing research on a topic. This works across disciplines and doesn’t require collecting your own data.
- Creative or applied project: Create something beyond a traditional research paper, such as a podcast, website, portfolio, documentary, business, short film, nonprofit or advocacy campaign.
Have an idea that doesn’t fit into one of these categories? Bring it. Your Mentor will help you explore what’s possible and shape your idea into a project you can realistically complete.
Do I need a project idea before I apply?
No. Plenty of students start with a general interest rather than a specific research question. Your Mentor will help you narrow your focus during your first few sessions. If you’d like more time to explore your options, The Foreword Pathfinder Lab offers three sessions with three different Mentors to help you explore potential topics before choosing one to pursue.
If you connect particularly well with one of your Pathfinder Lab Mentors, you can request to continue working with them during your Research Fellowship. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request, though we can’t guarantee the same Mentor.
Applying & Getting Started
How do I apply?
Start with our short application.
Can I apply now and start later?
Yes. You can defer your start date by up to three months. Just let us know when you’d prefer to begin when you apply. If you need a longer deferral, reach out to our admissions team, and we’ll review your request on a case-by-case basis.
Is there an application deadline?
We accept students on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applying early gives you the widest selection of available Mentors.
What happens after I apply?
1. Admissions conversation: A member of our admissions team will reach out to schedule a consultation call with you and a parent or guardian. You’ll discuss your interests and goals and have a chance to ask questions.
2. Enrollment: If The Foreword is a good fit, you’ll be accepted and enrolled. If not, the tuition paid at application will be refunded.
3. Tell us about your project: You’ll create your account and complete a short form about your interests, goals and availability. You don’t need a fully developed project idea yet.
4. Mentor match: We’ll match you with a Mentor, usually within one to two weeks of submitting your form.
5. First session: You’ll meet your Mentor and begin working on your project!
How selective is The Foreword?
We don’t have a fixed acceptance rate. We look for curious, motivated students who take initiative and are ready to actively engage with their Mentors throughout the research process.
Do I need a certain GPA, coursework, or recommendation letters?
No. There’s no minimum GPA, required coursework or recommendation letters needed to apply. We look for curiosity, commitment and a willingness to follow through.
Some projects do require prior knowledge or skills. For example, advanced computer science projects require coding experience, since you’ll need to write and debug code independently between sessions.
Cost & Payment
How much does The Foreword cost?
• Research Fellowship (10 sessions): $3,398
• Research Fellowship, alumni and multi-program rate (10 sessions): $2,498
• The Foreword Pathfinder Lab add-on (3 sessions, before the Fellowship): $500
• The Foreword Launch Lab add-on (3 sessions, after the Fellowship): $800
The alumni and multi-program rate is for Summer Springboard and GLA alumni, their direct family members, and students enrolled in a Summer Springboard or GLA program in the same year. The rate is applied with a code when you enroll through Summer Springboard or GLA, and it can’t be combined with financial aid.
How do I update my billing information?
Email us at info@tfw.org, and our team will help you update your billing information.
What is the refund policy?
Our refund policy depends on how many sessions you’ve completed:
– Before your first session: Full tuition refund.
– After your first session: Refund for any unused sessions, provided you’ve completed no more than five sessions.
– After more than five sessions: No refund can be given.
To request a refund, email info@tfw.org. Refunds for unused sessions must be requested within 12 months of your tuition payment. After that, any remaining sessions become a credit toward a future Foreword program.
Credit card processing fees are non-refundable. We also can’t issue refunds based on specific outcomes, such as a journal or competition rejecting your work or a project not being completed within the program window.
The same refund policy applies to The Foreword Pathfinder Lab and The Foreword Launch Lab.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. We offer need-based financial aid of up to $1,500 toward tuition, awarded on a case-by-case basis according to household income. Families can apply by completing our financial aid form and providing proof of income.
Financial aid cannot be combined with the alumni or multi-program discounted rate.
What payment options are there?
Tuition is due in full when you apply and will be refunded if you aren’t accepted. We accept eCheck and credit or debit card payments (Visa, Mastercard and American Express).
Card payments carry a 2.75% processing fee, which is displayed before you confirm your payment. You can avoid this fee by paying with eCheck.
Payment plans are available on a limited basis upon request. A $25 fee applies to returned payments.
Time Commitment, Scheduling, & Parents
How long does the Research Fellowship take?
You set your own pace. Most students complete their projects in four to six months, though summer projects often move faster, taking around three months. We recommend allowing at least ten weeks to give yourself enough time to work between sessions. Adding The Foreword Pathfinder Lab or The Foreword Launch Lab will extend your overall timeline.
You have six months from enrollment to complete the Research Fellowship. With your Mentor’s approval, you can extend that deadline by up to two months. Longer extensions are considered on a case-by-case basis.
How do I connect my parent account to my student's account?
Parent accounts aren’t currently available on The Foreword’s platform. However, you’ll receive copies of all emails sent to your student, including session summaries, and you’ll be notified if they miss a session.
If you have questions about your student’s project, you can contact our student support team at theforeword-students@research-project.com.
How involved are parents?
The project belongs to the student, so sessions are held one-on-one with their Mentor. Parents are welcome to join at the beginning and end of the first session. They’ll also receive copies of every email sent to their student, including a summary after each session, and will be notified if a session is missed.
Can international students join?
Yes. The Foreword welcomes students from around the world, and sessions are scheduled to accommodate different time zones.
Is the program online? Is there any in-person component?
The Foreword is fully online, so students can join from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. All you need is a computer. Sessions run inside your Foreword workspace, which connects to Zoom and Google Workspace.
What if I need to miss or reschedule a session?
Life happens. If you need to reschedule, just give your Mentor at least 24 hours’ notice. Sessions canceled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice, missed without notice or joined more than ten minutes late will count as used. If you miss a session, we can reinstate it once as a one-time courtesy.
Assignments should be submitted at least 24 hours before your next session to give your Mentor time to review your work.
When do sessions happen?
Whenever works best for you and your Mentor. You’ll schedule sessions together, taking into account school, extracurricular activities and time zone differences.
How many hours a week will this take?
The Research Fellowship is designed to fit around your schedule, with sessions planned at a pace that works for you. There’s no required number of hours per week, but we encourage students to set aside time each week to work independently on their projects and make steady progress between sessions.
Other Questions
What makes The Foreword different from other research programs?
Four things set The Foreword apart:
1. Helping students tell their story. We’re developing a guided narrative session to help students reflect on their research, what they learned and why it matters to them. The goal is to help them put those experiences into words they can draw on for college applications, Common App essays, scholarship applications, interviews and beyond.
2. Mentors who choose their students. Our Mentors opt in to each project, so every match begins with someone who’s genuinely interested in working with the student on their idea.
3. A project that’s truly your own. Students take the lead in their research, with their Mentor providing expertise and support along the way. It’s an approach that builds independence and confidence.
4. More than 20 years of experience. The Foreword is part of Terra Education, the organization behind Summer Springboard and Global Leadership Adventures, with more than two decades of experience creating educational programs for students.
How should I prepare for the admissions conversation?
There’s no need to prepare anything formal. Just come ready to talk about your interests, what you’ve enjoyed learning and what you hope to explore through your project. A parent or guardian will also join for part of the conversation.
Can a parent help with the project?
Parents can encourage their students and take an interest in their progress, but the project itself should be the student’s own work. Mentors assign independent work between sessions, giving students the opportunity to develop their skills, take initiative and build confidence in their abilities.
Is the program safe for my child?
Student safety is a top priority at The Foreword. Every Mentor undergoes a background check and completes training before working with students. All communication between students and Mentors takes place through our platform, and sessions are recorded and monitored. Parents also receive copies of all emails sent to their student, including summaries after each session, and are notified if a session is missed.
How does this prepare my child for the future?
Through independent research, students develop valuable skills: asking thoughtful questions, managing long-term projects, navigating setbacks and communicating complex ideas clearly. These skills are useful across nearly every field, especially as AI continues to change how we learn and work.
Will The Foreword help with college admissions?
We don’t promise admissions outcomes, and you should be cautious of any program that does. Completing a Foreword project gives you original work you can discuss in depth in college applications and interviews, along with a clearer understanding of your interests and what drives you. You’ll also develop research, writing and communication skills that will serve you long after you apply.
Can a parent help with the project?
Parents can encourage their students and take an interest in their progress, but the project itself should be the student’s own work. Mentors assign independent work between sessions, giving students the opportunity to develop their skills, take initiative and build confidence in their abilities.
Is the program safe for my child?
Student safety is a top priority at The Foreword. Every Mentor undergoes a background check and completes training before working with students. All communication between students and Mentors takes place through our platform, and sessions are recorded and monitored. Parents also receive copies of all emails sent to their student, including summaries after each session, and are notified if a session is missed.
How does this prepare my child for the future?
Through independent research, students develop valuable skills: asking thoughtful questions, managing long-term projects, navigating setbacks and communicating complex ideas clearly. These skills are useful across nearly every field, especially as AI continues to change how we learn and work.
Will The Foreword help with college admissions?
We don’t promise admissions outcomes, and you should be cautious of any program that does. Completing a Foreword project gives you original work you can discuss in depth in college applications and interviews, along with a clearer understanding of your interests and what drives you. You’ll also develop research, writing and communication skills that will serve you long after you apply.
Can I do The Foreword alongside a Summer Springboard or GLA program?
Yes! Students can participate in The Foreword alongside either program, with a few differences in how enrollment works.
Summer Springboard families can add the Research Fellowship when enrolling through Summer Springboard. To include The Foreword Pathfinder Lab or Launch Lab, you’ll need to enroll directly through The Foreword.
GLA families can add the Research Fellowship, along with either or both optional Labs, when enrolling through GLA.
Alumni of either program, their immediate family members and students enrolled in Summer Springboard or GLA during the same year qualify for the discounted Research Fellowship rate of $2,498.
Summer Springboard alumni can also request to work with a former Summer Springboard instructor as their Mentor. We’ll do our best to accommodate these requests, though we can’t guarantee a specific match.
Do I need access to a lab?
No. The Foreword is fully online, and most projects can be completed using published research, publicly available datasets, surveys or creative work. If your project requires lab space or specialized equipment, you’ll need to arrange access independently.
What if I'm not accepted?
Admissions decisions are based on fit and timing. If you aren’t accepted, any tuition you’ve paid will be fully refunded. You’re welcome to reapply after six months, and our admissions team can also help you explore other Terra Education programs, such as Summer Springboard or Global Leadership Adventures.
Is The Foreword accredited?
The Foreword isn’t an accredited school and doesn’t currently offer college credit. However, students finish the Research Fellowship with an original project they’ve developed and completed themselves, experience working one-on-one with an expert Mentor and a deeper understanding of their academic interests and abilities.
Is there a group or cohort option?
Not at this time. Every Research Fellowship is conducted one-on-one with your Mentor.
Where do alumni go to college? What do they say?
The Foreword is new, and our first Fellows are still completing their projects, so we don’t yet have alumni outcomes or testimonials to share.
The Foreword is part of Terra Education, the organization behind Summer Springboard and Global Leadership Adventures. Alumni of these programs have gone on to a wide range of colleges, including Ivy League universities, small liberal arts colleges and many others. As our first Foreword Fellows complete their projects, we’ll begin sharing their stories here.