About
UCI x Gifted and Talented Institute (GATI) Programs focus on experiments in neuroscience, AI, biotech, and medicine, along with academic research, research projects, real-world projects, and college-level research. Students use state-of-the-art equipment, interact daily with college students, graduate students, and/or post-docs, and pitch their research or ideas to a panel of judges and faculty members. Once admitted as GATI fellows, students enroll into Research or Career programs at UC Irvine and may be matched with an actual university research team.
• Schedule: UCI x GATI fellows get to spend two-weeks in absolute paradise.
The Gifted And Talented Institute ("GATI") is dedicated to offering a continuum of access to advanced research and future career opportunities for precocious pre-college scholars. GATI serves all eligible learners and families through summer and year-round programs, which are offered on-campus or remotely. Eligible students may earn UC Irvine credit for courses offered through UC Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education, and eligible GATI Fellows enroll in UC Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education’s XI 196 course.
Founded in 1965, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is the youngest member of the Association of American Universities, and the UCI x GATI Programs are led by Chancellor Howard Gillman. According to rankings, UCI is the #1 campus for beach lovers, and UCI x GATI fellows get to spend two weeks in Southern California, minutes from Disneyland, Hollywood, and beaches. One of the core missions is to “Bring the World to California and California to the World,” and UCI x GATI makes a pointed effort to select high school fellows from outside the USA.
In collaboration with the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) at UCI, GATI discovers and develops the gifts and talents of academically advanced and hardworking pre-college scholars from all around the world, regardless of background. High school students selected to be GATI scholars take part in the college-level research process, and some programs include research projects and opportunities to work toward publication, with outcomes varying by student. UCI x GATI Programs scholars admitted to the Comprehensive Program have a chance to publish their research process and experience in an online journal or offline magazines for students.
GATI interviews every qualified applicant using the ACT Holistic Framework and the Holistic Framework to understand each student's academic skills and cross-cutting capabilities. GATI fellows have the opportunity to engage in challenging academic research areas and connect the dots to future careers, and they find a safe, welcoming circle of peers, mentors, and teachers who understand gifted and talented students. UCI x GATI Programs are described as a place where lifelong friendships are made, and students receive personalized road-mapping on how to translate what they accomplished to colleges, employers, and family and friends.
Eligible students who successfully complete the program receive an official letter of support from the Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education and a University of California Irvine x GATI Certificate. The program focuses on helping high school scholars around the world to jumpstart their research careers.
“The BEAM Program was an experience like no other. From building my own start-up with the help of UC Irvine's ANTrepreneur Center to gaining key engineering principles from Dr. Reinkensmeyer's lab, I was able to gain a vast amount of knowledge that not only spurred my passion for research but also thoroughly prepared me for a career in the STEM field. It was exciting to learn amongst peers bound by a similar interest in science and to bond with them through exciting group activities. I always felt comfortable asking questions and reaching out to a mentor when I needed help. I can certainly say this program was not only an important learning experience but also a chance to meet new people and build connections.” - Sophia L. / Cornell University '25
“I am so grateful for the mentors, curriculum, and peers I had access to through the program. I owe my newfound interest in entrepreneurship and furthered pursuit of neuroscience research to BEAM. In fact, through my experiences in Dr. Yama Akbari’s lab, I decided to apply to colleges as a neuroscience major and am currently presumed to enter MIT next fall as a Brain and Cognitive Science major. In my estimation, BEAM successfully prepares students for college and even further life. Furthermore, despite the online platform, I felt little was taken from the program because of the passion the organizers had for delivering a holistic experience to me and my peers. I’m confident that this dedication will only improve the impact of BEAM in the coming years.” - Helen K. / Brown University '25
Last updated July 13, 2026.
• Schedule: UCI x GATI fellows get to spend two-weeks in absolute paradise.
The Gifted And Talented Institute ("GATI") is dedicated to offering a continuum of access to advanced research and future career opportunities for precocious pre-college scholars. GATI serves all eligible learners and families through summer and year-round programs, which are offered on-campus or remotely. Eligible students may earn UC Irvine credit for courses offered through UC Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education, and eligible GATI Fellows enroll in UC Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education’s XI 196 course.
Founded in 1965, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is the youngest member of the Association of American Universities, and the UCI x GATI Programs are led by Chancellor Howard Gillman. According to rankings, UCI is the #1 campus for beach lovers, and UCI x GATI fellows get to spend two weeks in Southern California, minutes from Disneyland, Hollywood, and beaches. One of the core missions is to “Bring the World to California and California to the World,” and UCI x GATI makes a pointed effort to select high school fellows from outside the USA.
In collaboration with the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) at UCI, GATI discovers and develops the gifts and talents of academically advanced and hardworking pre-college scholars from all around the world, regardless of background. High school students selected to be GATI scholars take part in the college-level research process, and some programs include research projects and opportunities to work toward publication, with outcomes varying by student. UCI x GATI Programs scholars admitted to the Comprehensive Program have a chance to publish their research process and experience in an online journal or offline magazines for students.
GATI interviews every qualified applicant using the ACT Holistic Framework and the Holistic Framework to understand each student's academic skills and cross-cutting capabilities. GATI fellows have the opportunity to engage in challenging academic research areas and connect the dots to future careers, and they find a safe, welcoming circle of peers, mentors, and teachers who understand gifted and talented students. UCI x GATI Programs are described as a place where lifelong friendships are made, and students receive personalized road-mapping on how to translate what they accomplished to colleges, employers, and family and friends.
Eligible students who successfully complete the program receive an official letter of support from the Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education and a University of California Irvine x GATI Certificate. The program focuses on helping high school scholars around the world to jumpstart their research careers.
“The BEAM Program was an experience like no other. From building my own start-up with the help of UC Irvine's ANTrepreneur Center to gaining key engineering principles from Dr. Reinkensmeyer's lab, I was able to gain a vast amount of knowledge that not only spurred my passion for research but also thoroughly prepared me for a career in the STEM field. It was exciting to learn amongst peers bound by a similar interest in science and to bond with them through exciting group activities. I always felt comfortable asking questions and reaching out to a mentor when I needed help. I can certainly say this program was not only an important learning experience but also a chance to meet new people and build connections.” - Sophia L. / Cornell University '25
“I am so grateful for the mentors, curriculum, and peers I had access to through the program. I owe my newfound interest in entrepreneurship and furthered pursuit of neuroscience research to BEAM. In fact, through my experiences in Dr. Yama Akbari’s lab, I decided to apply to colleges as a neuroscience major and am currently presumed to enter MIT next fall as a Brain and Cognitive Science major. In my estimation, BEAM successfully prepares students for college and even further life. Furthermore, despite the online platform, I felt little was taken from the program because of the passion the organizers had for delivering a holistic experience to me and my peers. I’m confident that this dedication will only improve the impact of BEAM in the coming years.” - Helen K. / Brown University '25
Last updated July 13, 2026.
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