12 Lab Research Opportunities for High School Students
Lab research opportunities for high school students offer hands-on experience in college-level research, allowing you to build practical skills while collaborating with mentors and industry professionals. These programs provide an excellent chance to contribute to real-world projects and work with cutting-edge technology, bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional research environments.
The 12 lab research opportunities for high school students listed here are fully funded, highly selective, and designed for small cohorts. They focus on specific topics, offering mentorship and a deeper understanding of the field. These programs not only enhance your academic and career prospects but also help you build valuable connections in the research community.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost (fully funded)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from around the world with exceptional academic credentials
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22–August 2
Acceptance Rate: Less than 5%
The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is a prestigious, fully-funded summer research program designed for the brightest high school juniors globally. Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), RSI offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage in cutting-edge STEM research over six weeks. With an acceptance rate below 5%, the program is highly competitive and widely recognized for its rigorous curriculum and mentorship.
These sessions cover foundational principles and advanced topics across disciplines. The following five weeks are dedicated to independent research projects in areas like engineering, computer science, mathematics, and more. Each student is paired with a mentor—an expert researcher—who guides them through the process of scientific discovery. The program concludes with a professional-style research presentation, allowing you to share your findings through oral and written reports, mimicking the structure of academic conferences.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition fees; on-campus participants pay $2,781.50 for housing and meals. A stipend may be provided at the conclusion of the program (amount unspecified).
Eligibility: High school juniors aged 16 or older.
Application Deadline: February
Program Dates: June 30–August 8
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University provides high school juniors with the opportunity to engage in advanced STEM research under the guidance of experienced mentors. You will collaborate on projects in diverse disciplines, including biochemistry, computer science, medicine, neurobiology, physics, chemistry, and geosciences. During the application process, you will review mentor profiles and rank your top three preferences, ensuring alignment with your academic interests.
Over the course of six weeks, you will contribute to active research projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience and mastering laboratory and computational techniques. The program also includes weekly workshops, faculty-led talks, and campus tours, offering a comprehensive learning environment. The experience concludes with a final symposium, where you will present your findings through abstracts and posters to a professional audience.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Participants receive a stipend of approximately $6,000; need-based financial aid is available (100% funded through external sources).
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors.
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: June 22–August 7
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective, cohort of 12 students only.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an elite, fully-funded summer research program tailored for twelve ambitious high school juniors and seniors. The program encourages participation in a wide range of fields, including cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, economics, history, and beyond.
You will actively contribute to research projects, gaining hands-on experience while refining critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Renowned for its rigor, the Clark Scholars Program is a good opportunity for students to explore their academic passions, develop valuable research skills, and prepare for future academic and professional success.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX (non-residential)
Cost/Stipend: Need-based scholarships are available, covering a stipend and free tuition.
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 or older by June 1, with an interest in STEM fields.
Application Deadline: Opens in January
Program Dates: June 9–July 16
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) at the University of Texas at Austin offers a five-week, interdisciplinary summer research experience that allows students to actively participate in College of Natural Sciences (CNS) labs. You will work alongside faculty, undergraduates, and peers on cutting-edge projects in fields such as biochemistry, biology, neuroscience, genetics, genome engineering, data analytics, and environmental science.
This hands-on program includes conducting research, earning NSC309 UT extension course credit, attending weekly seminars led by UT guest speakers, and developing a research poster. At the program’s conclusion, you will present your findings at the HSRA Research Symposium and receive a professionally printed copy of their poster as a keepsake.
Location: In-person internship with work locations at Massachusetts General Hospital Main Campus, Somerville, or other labs in Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates residing or studying in Massachusetts (proof of Massachusetts address required).
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: June 30–August 8
Cost/Stipend: No cost; includes a paid internship (stipend details undisclosed).
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the primary teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, provides high school students with an introduction to neurology research and clinical practice. The program begins with a comprehensive boot camp, featuring interactive sessions on research methodologies, clinical skills, and lab techniques.
You will be paired with an MGH Neurology faculty mentor and an undergraduate student, receiving individualized guidance throughout the six-week experience. You will spend 40 hours per week immersed in hands-on lab work, contributing to active research projects. The program also includes seminars led by expert neurologists and culminates in a final presentation, where you will showcase your research findings to mentors, peers, and family.
Location: Duke University West Campus, Durham, NC
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 15 years old by the program start date and reside in North Carolina within commuting distance of Duke University’s West Campus.
Application Deadline: February 9
Program Dates: June 16–August 8
Cost/Stipend: No cost; includes a paid internship (stipend amount unspecified).
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) is an eight-week paid internship designed to immerse high school students in the world of neuroscience research. You will be paired with a professional scientist in a Duke University neuroscience lab, where you will work on a dedicated research project and gain firsthand experience in advanced scientific inquiry.
The program requires a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week, primarily focused on hands-on research. The program concludes with a poster session, where you will present your research findings to an audience of peers, family, and Duke faculty.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; no stipend.
Eligibility:
Permanent Massachusetts residents who live and attend school in MA year-round.
Current juniors entering 12th grade in the fall.
U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents.
Application Deadline: February 20
Program Dates: June 23–July 31
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective with a rigorous application process.
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University offers high school juniors an immersive opportunity to engage in advanced research across the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences. You will work closely with professors in active research labs, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to innovative projects. Past projects include topics, such as "Programmable Signal Acquisition and Calibration of Temperature Sensors for Detection of Power Dissipation on Chips."
In addition to lab work, you will attend the "Introduction to Engineering" seminar series, which explores diverse fields like robotics, chemical analysis, and microwave materials. The program includes field trips and career counseling sessions organized by Northeastern’s Department of Cooperative Education.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $500 stipend; $40 application fee (need-based refunds available).
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old having either U.S. citizenship or permanent residents.
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9–July 31
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective; around 50 students are admitted annually.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an 8-week internship designed to immerse high school students in hands-on medical research. You will work alongside Stanford faculty and researchers in one of eight specialized areas, such as cancer biology, immunology, stem cell research, and bioinformatics, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries in state-of-the-art labs.
Each student is paired with a mentor. In addition to lab-based research, SIMR offers a bioengineering bootcamp, which provides an interactive introduction to bioengineering concepts for those seeking a broader STEM exploration without direct lab work.
Location: BAIR Lab, University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free, no stipend.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from the Bay Area
Application Deadline: TBA (usually closes in April)
Program Dates: July 8 – July 12
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
The BAIR High School Summer Program provides an immersive experience in the world of artificial intelligence at the prestigious UC Berkeley campus. As a participant, you'll work alongside Berkeley's leading scientists and researchers to explore groundbreaking AI fields such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and AI ethics.
Throughout the program, you'll attend daily guest lectures from experts in AI, engage in hands-on activities, and visit state-of-the-art research labs. The program also offers a taste of college life with daily meals at campus dining halls and a guided tour of the campus. Perfect for students looking to develop technical skills, gain practical experience with machine learning models, and deepen their understanding of the mathematical foundations of AI.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Eligibility: High school students residing in Baltimore City
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: Typically June to mid-August
Acceptance Rate: Moderate
The Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT) program at Johns Hopkins University offers high school students from Baltimore City the chance to explore the dynamic fields of biophysics and biomedical research—completely free of charge. Over the course of this summer internship, your opportunities will include on-the-job training in the lab. You'll be involved in microbiology, DNA manipulation, and protein engineering, and you'll be helping with experiments and providing materials for biophysical studies.
Furthermore, BRBT gives you access to extraordinary resources for you to connect with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and professors who will provide you with guidance and information about the different scientific careers that you can pursue. This program has become a gateway for a part of our new scientists to get into the fundamental biophysics sciences and to look for all of possible pathways in biomedical sciences
Location: Stanford University (for local residents only)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate. Need-based scholarships available.
Eligibility:
Local residents from Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties
Must be 16 or older by the start of the internship
Unweighted GPA of at least 3.0
Some prior knowledge of biology, chemistry, or computer programming (through coursework or extracurriculars)
Strongly encouraged for students from under-resourced high schools
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – August 7
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
The Genomics Research Internship Program for High School Students (GRIPS) offers a hands-on, research-intensive opportunity for local high school students to dive into the world of genomics at Stanford University. Over the course of eight weeks, participants will work closely with lab scientists on cutting-edge research, dedicating 20 hours a week (Monday to Friday, typically 9 AM–1 PM).
In addition to lab work, the program includes weekly cohort sessions, career panels, and seminars on biomedical research, along with regular check-ins with mentors. GRIPS provides early exposure to STEM research, offering valuable experience and helping students—especially those from under-resourced schools—develop skills and interests that may shape their future scientific careers.
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid (exact amount not specified)
Eligibility: Open to high school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ
Application Deadline: December 31
Program Dates: June 23 – August 15 (8 weeks)
Acceptance Rate: Less than 10%
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) provides high school students with a unique opportunity to delve into biomedicine and medical research within a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment. Over the course of eight weeks, you will participate in hands-on projects under the guidance of renowned scientists, developing critical laboratory skills and gaining direct experience in the research process.
The program includes seminars on advanced scientific topics, communication skills, and research ethics. It concludes with a public conference where you present your findings to Monell staff, peers, and family. With an acceptance rate below 10%, MSAP admits only 18–24 students from about 200 applicants annually. Its strong mentorship and supportive environment encourage 20–30% of participants to return, making it a valuable step for students pursuing scientific careers.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.