Governors School
Welcome!
Welcome to ETSU's Governor's School for the Integration of Biological and Statistical Sciences (IB&SS). The IB&SS Governor's School is a five-week program held on the ETSU main campus each summer. It is one of 11 programs offered by the state of Tennessee. The goal of our Governor’s School is to broaden students' appreciation and knowledge of biology and statistics through coursework, guest speakers, and applied projects that integrate biology and statistics.
Students will get 7 college credits once they successfully complete and pass the three
courses: Biology I, a Biology I lab, and Introduction to Statistics.
We are excited about this year's program and we are sure that it will be better than ever!
The 2026 Governor's School for the Integration of Biological & Statistical Sciences will begin on Sunday, May 24, 2026 and conclude on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Questions?
- Note that there is another Governor's School on the ETSU campus - Tennessee History and Environmental Studies: check that out here.
- Check out the Contact Us page for current contact details for our Leadership Team.
- We also have a Frequently Asked Questions page for your reference.
Process to Apply
Application
The 2026 student application process is going to be ONLINE only, and will be available starting on October 1, 2025 at 8:00am.
Deadline to submit all application material is 11:59 pm ET, Friday, December 5, 2025.
Deadline to submit counselor and teacher recommendations is 11:59 pm ET, Friday, December 19, 2025.
Please follow all directions on the 2026 Governor's School program student application. See also step-by-step instructions at the Application page.
NOTICE: The application process is NEW for 2026, with a statewide, unified application process for ALL Governor's School programs. Be sure to check the box on the Unified Application for our GS program in order to get the correct links.
Issues with our GS application? Email Lee Sallah, GS IB&SS Assistant Director
Accommodations
Any student that has been invited, has accepted, and has been admitted into the 2026 GS IB&SS program who would like to request accommodations should contact ETSU's disability services office by phone (423-439-8346) or by email (littleme@etsu.edu) prior to the start date of the Governor’s School program. Additionally, the Office of Disability Services can provide assistance for any applicant that may require accommodations in the admissions process.
Tennessee Governor's Schools website: https://www.tn.gov/education/instruction/tdoe-governors-schools.html
2026 GS IB&SS Schedule
May 24 - June 26, 2026
October 1, 2025: TN Governor's School applications will be available here.
December 5, 2025, 11:59 pm ET: Deadline for TN Governor's School applications to be submitted on the online portal. Applications will be accepted ONLINE ONLY. No paper applications will be accepted.
December 19, 2025, 11:59 pm ET: Deadline to submit counselor and teacher recommendations.
March 6, 2026: Invitation letters will be emailed from the Governor's School to the thirty students selected to attend the program by email. Also, students who are selected as alternates will be notified by email.
Students who have submitted a complete application and who are not selected to attend or as an alternate, will be notified of their status as well on this date.
If a student who is not selected to attend the upcoming Governor's School program is currently a sophomore, they are welcome to apply to next year's GS IB&SS program.
March 11, 2026, 11:59 pm: Candidates must respond to their invitation by this day or forfeit the spot.
March 12, 2026: Alternates will be notified on this day if they are receiving an invitation.
March 17, 2026, 11:59 pm: Alternates must respond to their invitation by this day or forfeit the spot.
Sunday, May 24, 2026: TN Governor's School IB&SS begins with Opening Ceremony on the ETSU Main Campus. (Room TBC).
Friday, June 26, 2026: TN Governor's School IB&SS ends with Final Student Project Presentations on the ETSU Main Campus. (Room TBC).