Research programs can help high school students explore their interests and prepare for college. These programs allow you to contribute to real research, providing learning experiences beyond the typical high school classroom. With university faculty or industry experts serving as mentors, you can understand complex subjects and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Doing research in high school can benefit your college applications by demonstrating your curiosity and academic ability. These learning opportunities can help you establish a solid foundation for undergraduate education. 

Here are 10 research programs for high school students in Houston, Texas!

1. Lumiere Research Scholars Program

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Cost: Full financial aid is available!

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

2. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Various locations across the United States

Stipend: $3,000

Application Deadline: January 19

Internship Dates: Early June to early August

Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors.

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a national program that aims to increase diversity in fisheries science careers. As a participant, you will work with mentors on projects in fisheries biology, aquatic resource management, and conservation. This program offers a learning experience in real-world conditions, helping you explore careers in environmental science and natural resources. You will also gain professional contacts that could help with future letters of recommendation and opportunities.

3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase

Location: Virtual

Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase 

Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).

Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars 

Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here. 

4. Houston Methodist—Summer High School Research Internship

Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX

Cost: No cost or stipend

Program Dates: May 27 – August 1

Application Deadline: Applications will open on December 2 and close on January 31

Eligibility: High school students who are currently in their junior or senior year, will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and have a minimum 3.5 GPA

This program introduces a select group of students to translational research, providing experience through individualized summer projects guided by mentors at Houston Methodist. You will receive instruction on essential laboratory techniques and engage in a scientific poster symposium at the program’s conclusion, presenting your research to faculty and peers. Additionally, the program includes career and professional development opportunities, preparing you for college and future career paths.

5. Architecture Immersion Program

Location: Rice University, Houston, TX

Stipend: Not specified

Application Deadline: Not specified

Program Dates: June (tentative)

Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who are at least 16 years old and live in the Greater Houston Area

The Architecture Immersion Program offers high school students projects and mentorship by faculty and industry professionals. Through design workshops, you will learn and develop your ideas related to the fundamental concepts of architecture. The program encourages critical thinking, technical skills, and closer knowledge of the built environment. It aims to prepare you for future academic and career pursuits in architecture and design.

6. High School Summer Program, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Stipend: $6,120 - $6,800

Application Deadline: January 15

Program Dates: June 2 - August 8

Eligibility: Texas high school seniors age 18 +. Preference is given to students who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, have disabilities, or are first-generation college students.

The High School Summer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center allows you to learn by contributing to cancer research. You will work alongside scientists and clinicians on projects exploring the biological basis of cancer, innovative treatments, and prevention strategies. The program offers valuable insights into biomedical research by providing mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge laboratory techniques. It encourages students to pursue healthcare, oncology, and science careers.

7. MohanLab High School Summer Internship Program

Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX

Stipend: Unpaid

Application Deadline: March 28

Program Dates: June 2 – July 25

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (students who have completed 11th grade)

The MohanLab High School Summer Internship Program at the University of Houston introduces rising seniors to biomedical research. You will begin with 1-2 weeks of instruction in basic laboratory techniques, followed by six weeks of bench research under the mentorship of scientists or graduate students. The program culminates in presenting your research findings at a joint laboratory meeting, with the potential for contributing to publications. You may also be allowed to continue your research after the internship, including manuscript writing and data analysis.

8. Rice University’s PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Program

Application deadline: May 15

Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors who are residents of the Houston area 

Program dates: Session 1 from June 12 – June 30, Session 2 from July 10 – July 28

Location: Rice University

Fee: Free

PATHS UP, or Precise Advanced Technologies and Health Systems for Underserved Populations, is a free program offered by Rice University. This program looks at digital circuitry, computer science, physics, and engineering research within healthcare. You will examine several devices like pulse oximeters, accelerometers, and GPS. The aim is to explore the intersection of digital design and medical treatment. This program accepts only 12 students, and the application requires the involvement of a school representative.

9. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS): Project Pipeline Baltimore

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: July — August

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from around the country can apply to the 5-week virtual program.

Cost: Free, stipend provided 

Location: Virtual

The JHIBS 5-week virtual research program offers a free opportunity for high school students from underrepresented communities to explore neurological sciences. During the program, you will work on research projects under the mentorship of neuroscientists. In addition to conducting research, you will attend scientific seminars and participate in mentorship and personal development sessions. The program also allows you to present your findings through oral or poster presentations. 

10. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.

Program dates: June 17 — August 9

Eligibility: Students in grades 11–12 or full-time community college students within their first 3 years.

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

In this research internship, you will explore a variety of fields, including the science of information and communication, engineering, arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design. You will receive mentorship from students, faculty, and staff at the Stanford Compression Forum. The program aims to expose high school students to advanced research while developing skills in research, analysis, and writing. A key focus of the program is integrating the humanities with STEM research, emphasizing their interconnectedness.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.