10 Paid Summer Research Programs for High School Students
Research programs offer high school students an excellent opportunity to deepen their understanding of a specific field and enhance their analytical skills. By selecting a reputable and paid research program, students demonstrate their commitment to research and their readiness to tackle academic challenges.
A summer research program can also demonstrate your initiative in extending your learning beyond the classroom, enhancing your college applications and resumes.
In this article, we’ve covered 10 paid summer research programs for high school students!
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $750 provided.
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old
This prestigious, top-tier research program at Texas Tech University accepts only 12 students each year, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of less than 3%. Selected high school students have the opportunity to conduct research and receive mentorship from faculty while working in one of seven research areas. These subject areas include nutritional science, computer science, mechanical engineering, history, and more.
This advanced program dives into what conducting research is like while making a great addition to your college application. Read our in-depth rundown of the benefits of applying for this program.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee; participants receive a minimum stipend of $500, with needs-based stipends up to $1,500.
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged at least 16 with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
SIMR is a competitive and prestigious program in which 50 high school students work in a six-week research program within a Stanford lab alongside faculty, postdoc students, and researchers on medically-oriented research projects. Students get to train at eight medical research institutes specializing in bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics, neurobiology, immunology, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and cancer biology.
Through the program, you will learn about laboratory safety, general laboratory skills, in-depth research, and developing and presenting a poster highlighting scientific results. You’ll also receive guidance from a mentor in a state-of-the-art laboratory, allowing them to experience experiential learning during their medical research journey.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors, including international students, are eligible to apply. Recommended scores are 740+ for PSAT Math, 700+ for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, 33 for ACT Math, and 34 for ACT Verbal. If your scores are lower, you must provide other indicators of academic excellence.
The Research Science Institute is a highly esteemed program for high school students, renowned for its global reach, rigorous curriculum, and affiliation with MIT. The program's exceptional reputation attracts a large pool of applicants, with an acceptance rate as low as 5%. The program offers a comprehensive research immersion, enabling participants to engage in STEM and, in some cases, Humanities projects from start to finish under expert mentorship.
After an intensive week of classes, participants embark on five weeks of guided research and lab work, culminating in a final presentation. In addition to the hands-on experience, completing an independent project showcases dedication and commitment to college admissions officers.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $6,500 stipend is provided
Application Deadline: January 27
Program Dates: May 31 – August 8
Eligibility: High school seniors who have completed 12th grade and are at least 18 years old
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program offers fellowships to high-achieving students interested in conducting independent, mentored research projects in genetics and genomics. Forty high school and undergraduate students are selected to develop projects, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings. Specific research areas include bioinformatics, cancer, genomics, immunology, metabolic diseases, and more.
Given that the program also targets undergraduate students, participants can expect a higher academic level of experience and a rigorous application process. The generous stipend and the program’s prestige make the SSP a well-regarded opportunity that can significantly enhance your college applications.
5. National Institutes of Health (NIH) High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
Location: NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost, $2,530 for current high school students
Application Deadline: January 8
Program Dates: July 7 – August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who are at least 17 years old by June 15. Additional criteria apply for HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
The NIH High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) is a 5-week paid research internship aimed at introducing students to careers in biomedical research, public health, and healthcare professions. As a participant, you’ll take part in scientific workshops, career exploration panels, and professional development sessions, while also learning about the latest advancements in medical and scientific research. HiSTEP further provides college application guidance, leadership training, and networking opportunities with NIH scientists. This program is designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds who are eager to pursue careers in STEM and medicine.
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend of $17.20 per hour.
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: 7 weeks, typically from mid-June to August.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in Illinois high schools.
The QuarkNet Summer Research Program at Fermilab, run by the U.S. Department of Energy, invites students to team up with scientists on exciting research projects. The topics can vary, but you’ll often dive into areas like particle physics, particle accelerators, quantum science, computing, and detectors.
As a participant, you’ll get hands-on experience with data collection and deliver oral presentations, all while working alongside experts in the field. This experience allows students to contribute to ongoing experiments and deepen their understanding of particle physics while gaining valuable research skills.
Location: Virtual; Finalists are invited to a fully-funded, four-day visit to MIT (Cambridge, MA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Each finalist receives up to $1,000 in funding to implement their project, along with weekly mentorship from MIT students
Application Deadline: January 1 of each year
Program Dates: Finalists are announced in February, and projects are completed by the summer of that year in June.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply as individuals or in teams of two
If you have already prepared a research proposal but require expert help to complete it, the MIT THINK Scholars program is an excellent option. Unlike other programs, this one involves a competition where you submit a project proposal in science, technology, or engineering. Six finalists are awarded weekly mentoring sessions, technical support, up to $1,000 in funding, and a four-day visit to MIT’s campus.
Although it partially coincides with the school year, the program provides a unique opportunity to conduct research from start to finish. Participating in this prestigious program will highlight your skills and greatly enhance your college applications.
Location: University of Chicago campus, IL
Cost: No cost; $5,600 stipend provided
Application Deadline: January 12
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students, particularly those with a familiarity with at least one programming language and relevant coursework (e.g., computer science, statistics, and math)
The DSI Summer Lab, hosted by the University of Chicago, is a 10-week paid research opportunity for high school and undergraduate students. It focuses on applied and interdisciplinary data science research and pairs participants with mentors specializing in various domains, including data science, computer science, and climate and energy policy.
Mentors guide students in refining research methodologies, practices, and teamwork skills, while also providing specialized training in specific application areas. The program concludes with participants presenting their research findings through self-created videos, which are showcased in a professional conference format, allowing for peer interaction and discussion of projects.
Location: New York University, New York, NY (Specific Area depends on subject area/ lab choice)
Cost: No cost, $1,000 stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 18
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors based in New York City
ARISE at NYU offers a fantastic opportunity for 10th and 11th graders from New York City. This seven-week summer program is entirely free. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in hands-on research alongside NYU’s top faculty members. You’ll explore exciting fields like computer science, machine learning, robotics, and more.
The program is split into two parts: the first two weeks are filled with engaging workshops, while the remaining five weeks are spent working side-by-side with your mentor in the lab. ARISE provides a unique chance to train in college-level research, develop professionally, participate in colloquiums, and make meaningful contributions to cutting-edge laboratories.
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: While the dates for the next cohort have not been announced, expect the deadline to be 2 months before the internship.
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Rising seniors in the Greater Syracuse area in good academic standing
Syracuse University presents a non-residential summer internship spanning six weeks, tailored for rising seniors within the greater Syracuse area. This internship is designed to immerse participants in advanced engineering and computer science research, aiming to ignite and deepen their passion for STEM careers.
Throughout the program, interns engage in university-level research projects under the guidance of Syracuse University’s esteemed research faculty, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The end of the program is marked by interns presenting their research findings at a symposium alongside other high school and undergraduate research interns.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in doing university-level research in the subject of your choice, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students co-founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
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