15 Great STEM Research Opportunities for High School Students
STEM summer research opportunities offer high school students a unique chance to explore college-level academics, build practical skills, and establish valuable connections . Many of these programs are fully funded, covering travel, housing, and tuition costs, which makes them an accessible option for students. Additionally, they provide a valuable opportunity to build a network of mentors and peers to support your future academic and career pursuits.
Participating in free summer programs is a good idea for students interested in STEM, as many of these programs have low acceptance rates and are hosted by prestigious institutions. Being chosen for a prestigious summer research program can boost your college applications as well. To help streamline the search, we’ve narrowed down a list of the top 15 STEM research opportunities based on criteria like funding availability, reputation, and program quality. If you’re looking for more research programs, internships, and region-specific programs in STEM, check out this set of blogs! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
SIMR allows high school students to work for eight weeks in Stanford’s research labs. This competitive program admits 50 students each year. It enables you to collaborate with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers on various medically focused research topics, such as bioengineering, stem cell research, genetics, neurobiology, immunology, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and cancer biology. During the program, you will receive training in laboratory safety, research methods, and scientific principles. The program ends with a poster presentation where you will summarize your findings. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend, but all applicants must pay an application fee. Participants receive a minimum stipend of $500; needs-based stipends start at $2500 on a need-based system. Neither meals nor housing is provided.
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9- July 31
Eligibility: Must be juniors or seniors in the graduating class of this or next year, at least 16 years old by the program’s start date (June 9), and currently living in the U.S. while attending high school as U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card.
RSI is a respected program for high school students known for its challenging curriculum and connection with MIT. It draws a competitive group of applicants, with an acceptance rate of around 5%. Participants choose research projects and work with mentors to conduct research and lab work over six weeks. After a week of classes, you will spend five weeks carrying out your project, culminating in a presentation of your results. For tips on how to get into this competitive program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: 2 months between June and August
Eligibility: High school juniors, including international students, are eligible to apply. Recommended scores include 740+ for PSAT Math, 700+ for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, 33 for ACT Math, and 34 for ACT Verbal.
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program offers a competitive opportunity for high school students interested in genetics and genomics. Each year, 40 students are selected from both high school and undergraduate levels to work on independent research projects under the guidance of mentors. You will design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and present results. Research areas include bioinformatics, cancer biology, genomics, immunology, and metabolic diseases. You will receive a stipend and gain experience, which can benefit your future college applications. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Two labs — Bar Harbor, Maine, and Farmington, Connecticut.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a $6,500 stipend is provided
Application Deadline: January 27
Program Dates: May 31 — August 8
Eligibility: Seniors who have completed 12th grade and are at least 18 years old can apply!
The research program at Texas Tech University is highly selective, admitting only 12 high school students each year with an acceptance rate of under 3%. You can conduct research across disciplines such as computer science, mechanical engineering, and history. This mentored research experience helps deepen your understanding of academic research and enhances your knowledge in your chosen field. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No application cost, stipend of $750 provided.
Application deadline: February 15
Program Dates: June 22 — August 7
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years of age.
ARISE at NYU is a ten-week, tuition-free summer program for 10th and 11th graders from New York City. During the program, you’ll work on research alongside NYU faculty in computer science, machine learning, robotics, and more. The program is divided into two phases: 4 weeks of remote workshops and 6 weeks of in-person lab work. ARISE offers a chance to gain professional experience, participate in seminars, and contribute to ongoing projects in active research labs. To learn more, check out our complete program guide here.
Location: New York University Campus, NY (Specific Area depends on subject area/ lab choice.
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 — August 8
Eligibility: Students living in New York City completing 10th or 11th grade in June can apply.
This program selects 10–16 students for a year-long astrophysics research project with scientists from Harvard or the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. With an acceptance rate under 5%, this competitive program allows you to engage in advanced research. You’ll collaborate with your team, either remotely or in person, to explore complex astrophysical topics with guidance from mentors. Monthly workshops and lectures will help you develop your skills and expand your understanding of the field. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at a symposium.
Location: Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA or virtual.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded. A stipend is provided courtesy of the City of Cambridge.
Application Deadline: Applications are expected to open in May
Program Dates: September — May
Eligibility: Must be a Cambridge Rindge and Latin School student.
SAMS is a pre-college program focused on STEM fields. The program is led by the university’s faculty and includes classroom instruction, lectures, workshops, and projects. SAMS is divided into two phases: an initial virtual session for skill-building and program orientation, followed by a six-week in-person session that involves courses and collaborative work. During this time, you’ll work on projects under the supervision of faculty or graduate students. The program ends with a symposium where you will present your projects. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; this is a fully-funded program.
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 21 — August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and in their junior year at the time of application submission are eligible.
The Simons Summer Research Program is a competitive opportunity for high school students to conduct research across various science, math, and engineering fields. You will be paired with a mentor and become part of a research group working on a specific project. Research topics include biochemistry, computer science, geoscience, pharmacology, astronomy, and more, offering a wide range of options. The program provides experience with laboratory equipment and research methods. Admission is highly selective, with an acceptance rate between 5% and 12%. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Stony Brook University, featuring commuter and residential options.
Cost: Free, although students are responsible for transportation and residential costs. At the program’s closing symposium, students receive a stipend award
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30— August 8
Eligibility: Applicants must be in their junior year (11th grade) of high school at the time of application, must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
The Laboratory Learning Program allows New Jersey high school students to contribute to active research projects. With guidance from Princeton faculty and research staff, you’ll participate in research opportunities in science and engineering. For the Engineering track, one past project focused on “Large Language Model Applications in Environmental Sustainability,” using computational models to address environmental issues. The Natural Sciences track included a project on the “Fossil Size Database,” which examined how animal sizes have changed in response to past and present climate variations. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (commuter program for statewide residents).
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 15.
Program dates: 5–6 weeks over the summer, depending on the project
Eligibility: Students must be 16 or older by June 15, enrolled in high school (or graduated but not yet 18 by June 15), and must be U.S. citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, or international students attending a U.S. high school, with some research opportunities having additional eligibility criteria.
The JHIBS 5-week virtual research program offers high school students from underrepresented communities the chance to explore the neurological sciences. The program allows you to work alongside leading researchers. You’ll participate in scientific projects, seminars, and personal development sessions. Throughout the program, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins University, gaining insights into the field. The program concludes with a presentation of your research findings, either orally or as a poster. To learn more about JHIBS, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore campus, Baltimore, Maryland or virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded. Interns are paid an hourly wage and receive transportation funds. Virtual interns receive a stipend of $500.
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June — August. Specific dates have not been mentioned.
Eligibility: The in-person program is open to students living in the Baltimore, Maryland metropolitan area and enrolled full-time in a Baltimore City Public or Independent School, while the virtual program is open to students living anywhere in the U.S. and enrolled full-time toward a high school diploma.
SUMaC is a summer program for high school students interested in advanced mathematics. The program brings together students from over 50 countries and offers a challenging curriculum to deepen your understanding of math. Open to rising juniors and seniors, SUMaC includes lectures, problem-solving sessions, and guided research projects. Participating in SUMaC gives you the chance to explore advanced math while gaining experience that can be helpful for your academic goals and future college applications. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Residential at Stanford University, CA or Virtual
Cost: Online: $3,580; Residential: $8,575 (Additional costs may apply for materials and personal items). Financial Aid is available for both domestic and international students.
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: Residential Session: June 22 — July 18 | Online Session 1: June 16 — July 4 | Online Session 2: July 7— July 25
Eligibility: Students who are in 10th or 11th grade at the time of application.
The MIT THINK Scholars program is a competition designed for students who have developed a research proposal in science, technology, or engineering and seek guidance to implement it. Six finalists are selected. As a participant, you’ll receive weekly mentoring sessions, technical support, and funding of up to $1,000. You’ll also be able to visit MIT’s campus for a four-day experience, with virtual options available. The program runs during the school year, allowing you to develop your research project from concept to completion. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded. A $1,000 budget will be awarded to 6 finalists with weekly mentoring and a paid trip to MIT’s campus.
Application Deadline: January 1
Program Dates: February — June
Eligibility: All high school students can apply as individuals or in teams of two.
This program offers high school students the opportunity to work on a computational biology research project under the guidance of a principal investigator. You will learn how to conduct mathematical research, including using Matlab programming, developing models, presenting your findings, and writing research papers. In the past, projects focused on topics such as Turing pattern formation, the biophysics of the primary cilium in skin and neurological diseases, and cell-to-cell communication. Check out more past research projects here.
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: Fully funded. Students are responsible for their own transportation, housing, and meals
Application Deadline: April 14
Program Dates: June 17 — July 25
Eligibility: Current high school students who are not graduating in the spring can apply.
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) allows high school students to conduct scientific research in a team. Each team, typically consisting of eight participants, is led by an experienced trainee and supported by scientist-mentors. In the RockEDU lab, you’ll pursue research projects that align with your team’s focus while incorporating your interests. The program includes elective courses, guest lectures, and social events. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory at The Rockefeller University, NY
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: January 3
Program Dates: June 23 — August 7
Eligibility: Must be current high school juniors or seniors, at least 16 years old by the program start, and commit to attending the entire program.
SPINWIP is a 3-week virtual summer program to engage high school girls in physics. During the program, you will explore research areas like quantum physics and astrophysics and learn Python coding. The program includes online lectures, group projects, and workshops focused on college planning and career development. You will also be able to connect with Stanford students and professors, who will provide mentorship. SPINWIP aims to encourage you to explore physics while developing skills and knowledge for your academic and professional future.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: TBD
Program Dates: July 8 to July 26
Eligibility: Female and gender minority students in 9th to 11th grade are encouraged to apply, regardless of their country of residence. Preference will be given to first-generation students, those from underrepresented backgrounds in physics, and rising seniors.
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.