12 Great Research Opportunities for High School Students in Illinois
If you’re a high school student in Illinois looking to gain practical research experience and explore advanced academic topics, research programs can be a great starting point. These programs offer hands-on opportunities in fields like biomedical engineering, environmental science, computer programming, and more. You’ll also build real-world skills and learn from experts at leading institutions.
Participating in these programs will strengthen your college applications and set you up for future academic and career success. Whether you’re passionate about STEM or the humanities, these opportunities allow you to refine your interests and build a robust foundation in research.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 12 great research opportunities for high school students in Illinois!
12 Great Research Opportunities for High School Students in Illinois
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Competitive, with a low cohort size.
Program Dates: Summer: June - August, fall: September - December, winter: December - February, spring: March - June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I priority application deadline is March 9!
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA above 3.6
Cost/Stipend: $2,990 - Individual Research Program (12 weeks); $5,900- Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks); $8,900 Research Fellowship (6-12 months)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides a platform for high school students to engage in advanced academic research with the mentorship of Ph.D. scholars. This remote program welcomes students from around the world, offering flexibility and convenience to accommodate diverse schedules.
Through one-on-one mentorship, students undertake independent research projects across a wide range of disciplines, including political science, economics, psychology, and more. The program is designed to support students in crafting a professional-level research paper, providing personalized guidance throughout the process.
With a flexible structure that fits around school commitments, participants gain a rigorous research experience. The program also includes opportunities to present your findings, enhance your academic profiles, and deepen your understanding of scholarly work.
Location: University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, Rush University, IL
Acceptance Rate: Selective, 30 students per year
Program Dates: Second week of June through the first week of August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; Familiarity with Python or R preferred
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a $3,000 taxable stipend
The ResearcHStart program provides high school students with a unique opportunity to engage in full-time cancer research within specialized laboratory settings. You will work with expert researchers on projects in areas such as bioengineering, cancer immunology, and experimental therapeutics.
The program also includes research training, faculty lectures, career development workshops, and networking opportunities with mentors. You will showcase your research at a concluding symposium. With only 30 spots available each year, it is a highly selective program.
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: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Acceptance Rate: 5%, only 30 lab spots available.
Program Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications open from February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; Open to out-of-state students as well.
Cost/Stipend: No cost other than transportation; housing, meals, and fellowship payment provided
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program gives you hands-on research experience in fields like neuroscience, cancer immunology, artificial intelligence, and bioengineering.
You’ll gain practical skills like data analysis, experimental design, and scientific writing through seminars, lab work, and mentorship from university faculty. You’ll also strengthen your presentation skills by showcasing your research at a final poster symposium. This competitive program with a 5% acceptance rate helps you build industry connections.
Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 9 - August 1 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, at least 16 years old
Cost/Stipend: No program fee; students receive a stipend but must cover housing/transportation.
The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program at Northwestern University gives you hands-on research experience focused on lung disease. You will work on a specific research project, either hypothesis-driven or hypothesis-generating, in basic or clinical science, contributing to ongoing work in your lab and advancing the understanding of lung disease.
You will be paired with a Northwestern faculty mentor, gaining skills like data analysis, experimental design, and scientific writing. The program includes workshops to strengthen your college applications and professional skills. It concludes with the Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Symposium where you will present your findings.
Locations: The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center; Gallery 37 Center for the Arts; After School Matters at Gately Park (all in Chicago)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 24 – August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Must be a Chicago resident or attend a Chicago Public High School, aged 14 to 18
Cost/Stipend: $15.80/hour
After School Matters (ASM) gives Chicago teens ages 14 to 18 a chance to explore different fields, including STEM, through flexible internships. You can choose from different tracks based on your age and experience, building practical skills along the way. If you’re 14 or older, you can join an apprenticeship where you’ll learn through hands-on training and guided projects in your chosen field.
If you’re 16 or older, you can apply for assistantships or traditional internships. In an assistantship, you’ll work on team-based projects under a mentor’s guidance, gaining exposure to workplace environments. Traditional internships focus on leadership and project management, where you can lead group projects or design your own. ASM also uses data-driven evaluations to measure program impact, and if you’re interested in analytics, you can play a role in helping improve ASM’s programs.
Location: Ryerson Laboratory at the UChicago Hyde Park campus.
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Open to all high school students. Preferred: Familiarity with at least one programming language and relevant coursework (e.g., computer science, statistics, math)
Cost/Stipend: $4,800 Stipend (no cost to participate)
The DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an eight-week paid research program for high school and undergraduate students interested in applied, interdisciplinary data science. You will work with mentors who will guide you through research methods, collaborative practices, and specialized training in fields like computer science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research.
You will take on hands-on projects, learning core data science techniques and applying them to real-world problems. Throughout the program, you will collaborate closely with mentors and peers, building your research skills and contributing to ongoing projects. The program wraps up with you presenting your research through professional video presentations, giving you the chance to showcase your work, respond to questions, and get feedback.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 14 - July 12
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Open to current 10th or 11th-grade students
Cost/Stipend: $14,000; need-based financial aid available ($500–$11,000) on a first-come, first-served basis
The University of Chicago’s Research in Biological Sciences (RIBS) program offers a rigorous, four-week immersion into the field of biological sciences. Tailored for students with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and math at honors or advanced levels, this program provides hands-on experience with molecular, microbiological, and cell biological techniques used in contemporary research labs.
You begin by mastering essential laboratory skills and quickly move on to applying advanced molecular methods in areas like genetics, developmental biology, and cancer research. The live-in campus experience fosters a close-knit scientific community, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the research process. Through lectures, lab work, and seminars led by UChicago faculty, you gain a comprehensive understanding of the daily operations of biological research. The course ends with a research forum in which you will present the results of your projects.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Program Dates: Varies based on the program
Application Deadline: Rolling admission
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in space science, UX design, and communication
Cost/Stipend: Paid
The Adler Planetarium OpenSpace Internship gives high school students the chance to work in the Space Visualization Lab, where scientists, technologists, artists, and educators collaborate on innovative ways to explore the universe. You will receive mentorship from Adler staff and learn to use OpenSpace visualization software to create immersive experiences that showcase NASA missions and datasets.
Teen program offerings include Waffles & Resumes, Far Horizons Teens, Summer Internship (High School), Mission Near Space, Youth Leadership Council, Far Horizons Teen Captains, and Youth Organization for Lights Out. This internship is a strong fit if you’re interested in UX design and research, helping you develop communication and analytical skills.
Location: University of Chicago
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
Program Dates: Two consecutive summers, typically from mid-June to early August, plus monthly activities during the academic year
Application Deadline: December 2
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and college freshmen or sophomores at the time of application; must be at least 16 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and able to commit to the full two-year program
Cost/Stipend: Taxable stipend of $5,000 per year
The Chicago EYES on Cancer program offers high school and college students interested in biomedicine the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge cancer research. Funded by an R25 YES grant from the National Cancer Institute, the program also includes science educators, fostering a collaborative environment.
Over two consecutive summers, you will work full-time in the laboratories of established cancer researchers, gaining hands-on experience in various areas of cancer research, including basic, translational, clinical, and population-based studies. The program includes a summer lecture series focused on cancer, year-round career development workshops, and a strong mentorship network. The experience culminates in a research symposium where participants present their findings.
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Acceptance Rate: Approximately 5 positions from 45 applicants annually
Program Dates: June 9 - August 1 (Dates are tentative and subject to change)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by May 1, from Rockford and nearby communities
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific
The Summer Science Internship Program, hosted by the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, gives you hands-on research experience in fields like cancer research, vaccine development, and drug design. This program runs in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific.
You will work with leading scientists, gaining lab skills like experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing. The program focuses on teamwork, professional development, and career readiness through resume building, interview training, and presentation skills. It starts with an orientation session and includes two months of research training, ending with an oral and poster presentation at the Summer Science Forum.
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Acceptance Rate: Selective, one team per school
Program Dates: School year-long program starting in summer
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: High school students and science teachers with a valid state teaching certificate for grades 9-12
Cost/Stipend: Free
The Exemplary Student Research Program (ESRP) gives you and your teacher the chance to conduct full-scale research using specialized facilities at Argonne National Laboratory, like the Advanced Photon Source, Center for Nanoscale Materials, and Argonne Tandem Linear Accelerator. You will work with Argonne scientists, moving through the entire research process — from writing proposals to conducting experiments, analyzing data, and presenting your findings.
Your teacher applies in the summer to form a research team and is paired with a scientist mentor. This program enhances Honors and Advanced Placement STEM courses by giving you hands-on experience in scientific research. You and your team must visit Argonne at least twice for data collection and final presentations, with additional engagement depending on your project.
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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