11 Fall Research Opportunities for High School Students
As the fall semester and subsequent fall break approaches, it’s an ideal time for high school students to seek out research opportunities that offer hands-on experience and mentorship. Fall research programs provide a solid option for students to gain exposure to college-level academics, practical skills, industry insights, and connections, without being a pricey option to explore, as they are much shorter programs than summer programs!
These programs allow you to work on real-world projects in fields like computational biology, environmental science, political analysis, political science, astrophysics, and more. You’ll also have the chance to develop skills such as coding statistical models in Python, designing and conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing policy data using R, and constructing mechanical prototypes.
If you’re interested in research, we’ve narrowed down a list of the 11 fall research programs for high school students!
11 Fall Research Opportunities for High School Students
Location: Remote—participate from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Fall (September - December)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3; no prior knowledge in the field required
Cost/Stipend: $2,990 for Individual Research Program, $5,900 for Premium Research & Publication Program, $8,900 for Research Fellowship.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to conduct advanced, independent research with one-on-one mentorship from Ph.D. experts. This fully remote program is accessible worldwide and covers fields like political science, economics, psychology, and more.
You’ll develop a research project while balancing your school schedule, and gaining experience in academic writing, data analysis, and critical thinking. By the end of the program, you’ll produce a professional-level research paper and may have opportunities to present your findings, strengthening your academic portfolio and research skills.
Location: New York City
Program Dates: October 21 - April 11.
Application Deadline: August 23.
Eligibility: Must be 16+, an NYC resident (for Fall/Spring), have valid working papers, and be in high school or accepted into an undergrad program.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $16 per hour (paid hourly).
The New York City Office of the Mayor Internship Program gives high school students hands-on experience in city government and policy operations. You’ll be placed in departments aligned with your interests, working on tasks like research, data analysis, drafting briefings, attending meetings, and staffing events.
Beyond your daily work, you’ll take part in a bi-weekly Speaker Series featuring Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and senior staff, offering insights into city governance. The program also includes a collaborative service project, allowing you to contribute to meaningful initiatives that benefit New York City communities.
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 program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
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.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Program Dates: September–December
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by senator sponsorship; Contact individual senators' offices for specific dates.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens/permanent residents (with SSN), 16-17 years old by appointment date, rising juniors/seniors, 3.0 GPA minimum, health assessment & insurance required.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Total stipend of $35,360 for the term, disbursed monthly
The U.S. Senate Page Program gives 30 high school juniors an opportunity to engage directly with the legislative process in Washington, D.C. Through this program, you’ll gain practical experience in governance by assisting senators with tasks like delivering correspondence, preparing the Senate Chamber for sessions, and supporting roll call votes.
Sponsored by U.S. senators, this role lets you contribute to the daily operations of the Senate while developing a deeper understanding of policy-making. Pages live in supervised housing with covered expenses like rent and laundry, and the program emphasizes mentorship and hands-on learning alongside Senate staff.
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Program Dates: September – December
Application Deadline: Mid-July (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S. are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Cost/ Stipend: No stipend provided, FPRI offers a limited number of paid internship stipends for the Summer term, determined by financial need after interns are selected.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program allows high school students to explore international relations through remote and in-person roles. You’ll work closely with scholars and professionals, building specific skills like policy analysis, data interpretation, academic writing, and strategic communication. The program includes weekly seminars with foreign policy experts, covering topics like geopolitical strategy, global security, and diplomatic affairs while offering career development insights. A key feature is the chance to co-author research papers, with potential publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
Location: Virtual & on-site options at NASA centers
Application deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Cost: Free registration
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program allows high school students to work on real-world research and technology projects alongside NASA engineers and scientists. You’ll develop technical skills in areas like artificial intelligence for air traffic management, machine learning, robotics, and augmented and virtual reality applications.
The program offers both virtual and on-site internships at NASA centers across the U.S., providing hands-on STEM experience and mentorship. Depending on your project’s focus, you could work on data modeling, software development, prototype testing, or aerospace systems analysis. For more information and a complete list of available positions, visit the NASA OSTEM internship page.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Program Dates: September–December
Application Deadline: June
Eligibility: High school U.S. citizens enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution, maintaining eligibility throughout the internship.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
The U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship offers high school students practical experience in policy research, data analysis, and government operations. Based in Washington, D.C., you’ll take on tasks like collecting and interpreting policy data, conducting economic research, and summarizing key academic literature and news related to the Treasury’s mission.
You’ll work with Treasury officials and across U.S. government agencies, developing skills in quantitative analysis, project management, policy evaluation, and cross-agency coordination. Interns are placed in different departmental offices, gaining insights into federal government operations and international policy-making, making this program ideal for students interested in public service, economics, or international relations.
Location: CUNY Brooklyn or CUNY York College campuses
Program Dates: Fall dates start from September. Contact here for details.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. TBD for the Fall session
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates; must reside in New York
Cost: Free + $1,000 stipend provided
The City Limits CLARIFY program trains high school students in public service journalism, focusing on investigative reporting and issues affecting underrepresented communities in New York City. You’ll develop skills in research, interviewing, data analysis, investigative techniques, media ethics, and photojournalism, working directly with City Limits' professional journalists.
The program offers two cohort options: an English-language cohort and a Bilingual Cohort for Spanish and English speakers, providing a tailored learning experience. Past participants have covered topics like the New York housing crisis, press freedom, and labor strikes, gaining practical experience in community-focused storytelling.
Location: Harvard Campus
Program Dates: September to May
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) interested in scientific research
Cost/Stipend: Free
The Harvard Science Program Research Mentorship (SRMP) offers 10-16 high school students an in-depth introduction to astrophysics research through a year-long mentorship with experts from the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (CfA). You’ll develop technical skills like data analysis, computational modeling, academic writing, and scientific communication while working on independent research projects.
The program runs from September to May, featuring twice-weekly 2-hour meetings and monthly advisory sessions, ending with a final research symposium. SRMP is highly selective, accepting only 10-16 students annually from the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, and offers a stipend funded by the City of Cambridge, ensuring accessibility for participants.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Program Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to full-time 9th or 10th-grade students in San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) schools with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and at least a grade C in science and math.
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns are paid above minimum wage
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program offers 16 San Francisco high school students from underrepresented STEM groups the chance to engage in fieldwork, science education, and sustainability initiatives at the California Academy of Sciences.
You’ll develop skills in science communication, public speaking, data collection, and financial literacy, while also receiving college application support. The program also includes opportunities to present research at STEM conferences, work on environmental projects, and work alongside Academy researchers and STEM professionals.
Location: Various international locations
Program Dates: Varies by program; typically 1 week to several months starting from August
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Open to high school and university students with a background in earth sciences or related fields
Cost/Stipend: Varies. Some internships are unpaid or self-funded
The Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group (VMSG) offers high school students a chance to explore geology and volcanology through hands-on international research internships. You’ll gain skills in field data collection, geophysical surveying, laboratory techniques, and environmental monitoring, working on projects like active volcano monitoring and magmatic process analysis.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop GIS mapping skills, analyze geochemical data, interpret seismic activity, and prepare technical reports. You’ll also collaborate with geophysicists and petrologists, enhancing your quantitative analysis, scientific writing, and presentation abilities.
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.
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