What is a Cohort?
A cohort refers to a group of students who participate in a specific term of the Riipen Labs program. Each cohort operates within set dates, during which students engage with their lab projects. This structure allows for organized timelines and ensures that students can collaborate effectively. Students and employers must apply to participate in each cohort.
Open cohorts
January 2026: January 26th - February 13th
March 2026: March 16th - April 3rd
April 2026: March 30th - April 17th
Dates and cohort availability are subject to change.
January 2026 Cohort
January 2026 Cohort
Lab projects must align with following cohort schedule:
December 1st, 2025:
Students Invited to Confirm Eligibility and Submit an Application
Selected students are invited to confirm their eligibility by completing their application. Visit our application process help article for more details.
January 19th - 22nd, 2026:
Student Verification Period
Students who are successful in the application process will receive an invitation to verify their identity. Failure to verify within this timeframe will result in removal from the cohort.
January 23rd, 2026:
Student Team Creation
Students are added directly to projects and teams within the cohort. Their next action is to set up their payment accounts and press “Start” on their projects to be ready for Monday’s kick-off!
January 26th, 2026:
Project Start Date
Projects officially begin. Students will begin following the milestones as they are set out in the cohort. Failure to complete the milestones as intended may result in removal from the cohort.
January 28th, 2026:
Employer Kick-Off Date
A series of meetings will be held, depending on the project that students are matched with, to kick-off their project with the employers in charge! Amongst each group, students are expected to ensure at least one member of the team can attend and ask questions as needed!
February 13th, 2026:
Project Completion
All projects must be completed by this date. Visit 4. Guide to Completing a Riipen Labs Project for more details.
March 2026 Cohort
March 2026 Cohort
Lab projects must align with following cohort schedule:
February 2nd, 2026
Students Invited to Confirm Eligibility and Submit an Application
Selected students are invited to confirm their eligibility by completing their application. Visit our application process help article for more details.
March 9th-12th, 2026:
Student Verification Period
Students who are successful in the application process will receive an invitation to verify their identity. Failure to verify within this timeframe will result in removal from the cohort.
March 13th, 2026:
Student Team Creation
Students are added directly to projects and teams within the cohort. Their next action is to set up their payment accounts and press “Start” on their projects to be ready for Monday’s kick-off!
March 16th, 2026:
Project Start Date
Projects officially begin. Students will begin following the milestones as they are set out in the cohort. Failure to complete the milestones as intended may result in removal from the cohort.
March 18th, 2026:
Employer Kick-Off Date
A series of meetings will be held, depending on the project that students are matched with, to kick-off their project with the employers in charge! Amongst each group, students are expected to ensure at least one member of the team can attend and ask questions as needed!
April 3rd, 2026:
Project Completion
All projects must be completed by this date. Visit 4. Guide to Completing a Riipen Labs Project for more details.
April 2026 Cohort
April 2026 Cohort
Lab projects must align with following cohort schedule:
February 2nd, 2026
Students Invited to Confirm Eligibility and Submit an Application
Selected students are invited to confirm their eligibility by completing their application. Visit our application process help article for more details.
March 23rd-26th, 2026:
Student Verification Period
Students who are successful in the application process will receive an invitation to verify their identity. Failure to verify within this timeframe will result in removal from the cohort.
March 27th, 2026:
Student Team Creation
Students are added directly to projects and teams within the cohort. Their next action is to set up their payment accounts and press “Start” on their projects to be ready for Monday’s kick-off!
March 30th, 2026:
Project Start Date
Projects officially begin. Students will begin following the milestones as they are set out in the cohort. Failure to complete the milestones as intended may result in removal from the cohort.
April 1st, 2026:
Employer Kick-Off Date
A series of meetings will be held, depending on the project that students are matched with, to kick-off their project with the employers in charge! Amongst each group, students are expected to ensure at least one member of the team can attend and ask questions as needed!
April 17th, 2026:
Project Completion
All projects must be completed by this date. Visit 4. Guide to Completing a Riipen Labs Project for more details.