The Wisconsin Rural Scholars (WiRS) Summer Program brings rising high school seniors and their teachers to campus for a pre-college experience. This five-day residential program highlights College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) academic programs, cutting-edge research and the undergraduate student experience. Participants will gain insights on college and connect with faculty, staff and students from across the college.
For many rural school districts, college planning resources and on-campus experiences are limited by factors like cost and distance. WiRS connects talented students and their dedicated teachers to the breadth of programs and opportunities available in CALS.
WiRS Summer Program is completely free for participants; teachers also receive a stipend for their attendance. WiRS is funded by the Wisconsin Rural Partnerships Institute, which is part of the USDA NIFA Institute for Rural Partnerships and aims to provide opportunities for rural communities throughout Wisconsin.
Photo by Michael P. King/UW–Madison CALS
2026 Summer Program Info
The Wisconsin Rural Scholars (WiRS) Summer Program is seeking applications for its summer 2026 cohort. High school students can apply to attend individually; school districts can apply to send a cohort (staff chaperone + 4-6 students). This program is open to rising sophomores to rising seniors.
During this five-day residential program participants will gain insights on college and connect with faculty, staff and students from across the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at UW-Madison. CALS helps their students discover how the living world works and how they can improve it.
Find more information about CALS on the college’s website.
What to Expect from WiRS Summer Program
During your time on campus, expect to:
- Discover the breadth of CALS programs and campus opportunities
- Engage in hands-on academic and career planning
- Explore science through the lens of the Wisconsin Idea
- Gain practical information, tools and skills to navigate college
- Experience the residence halls and life on-campus
Dates/Location
Sunday, June 14 (afternoon) – Thursday, June 18, 2026 (afternoon)
This is a residential program hosted by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Activities will be held on campus and participants (students and teachers) will stay in on-campus residence halls.
Participants
WiRS Summer Program is open to high school cohorts (staff chaperone and 4-6 students) as well as individual student applicants. Students should be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors and have an interest in one or more of CALS’ focus areas:
- Health and nutrition
- Food and agriculture
- Biological sciences
- Sustainability, natural resources and the environment
- Business, communication and society
Cost
There is no cost to participants; all meals, fees, and lodging costs are covered. Teachers receive a stipend for their attendance.
Transportation
Participants are required to provide their own transportation to and from campus. School districts/chaperones will provide student transportation to/from campus. Chaperones will be provided with on-campus parking permits. Individual student attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from campus. On-campus parking will not be provided for student attendees. The entirety of the program will take place on-campus; there are no transportation needs during our session.
How to Apply
School District Application: Apply to be one of our WiRS 2026 cohorts (staff chaperone + 4-6 students)
Individual Student Application: Apply to attend WiRS 2026 as an individual participant (individual participants will be chaperoned by WiRS staff)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; priority will be given to students and school districts who apply before March 1, 2026.
Questions about applying for the 2026 Wisconsin Rural Scholars (WiRS) Summer Program?
Email Tanya Cutsforth, Program Director, at tcutsforth@wisc.edu