8 Free Research Programs for Middle School Students
Middle school is the perfect time to ignite curiosity and start exploring specialized fields like math and research. Free programs offer students a unique chance to dive into hands-on projects, sharpen problem-solving skills, and collaborate with peers—all without the financial burden. Whether analyzing data sets or tackling real-world challenges, these opportunities allow young learners to experience the excitement of discovery early on.
Why does this matter? Exposure to advanced concepts at a young age sets the foundation for success in high school and beyond. It can also position students for prestigious opportunities later, showcasing their initiative and passion for future applications. If you're looking for a way to get a head start on your academic journey, this list of eight fully-funded research programs is the perfect place to start.
Location: Online
Program Dates: Various cohorts run throughout the year
Cost: Financial aid available
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6 through 8
Deadline: Deadlines vary for each cohort. Check out our website for more details.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers an engaging 8-week experience for middle schoolers. Each student is paired with a mentor to explore their academic interests and develop a meaningful project. Mentors are accomplished scholars from top-tier institutions like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
Throughout the program, students progress through structured phases: in the first four weeks, they explore four unique topics within their chosen track. Weeks five and six intensify this exploration, allowing each student to focus deeply on a single area of interest. The final two weeks are dedicated to project creation, where students work closely with their mentors to bring their ideas to life.
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore, and additional sites as projects require.
Dates: Year-round.
Eligibility: Open to Baltimore students in grades 6–10, with a preference for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Application Deadline: Rolling.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) CURE Scholars Program, which focuses on research and STEM career preparation, provides a solid experience for middle and high school students in West Baltimore. This year-round initiative immerses participants in hands-on learning through research-focused activities.
You can choose from tracks like Anatomy, Chemistry, and Robotics, with the program placing a strong emphasis on building foundational research skills. You are trained in essential techniques like conducting literature reviews and setting the stage for advanced research pursuits in high school and beyond.
Location: Online
Program Duration: 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort
Fee: Need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort.
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics.
You learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. By the end of the program, you will have worked on a hands-on project in a subject of your choice! Previous projects done by students have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Online
Program Dates: July 8–26 (summer course) and August 26–December 13 (weekly sessions)
Eligibility: Low-income students in grades 6-7 attending schools in the United States
Application Deadline: March 29
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) offers a prestigious, tuition-free opportunity for middle school students passionate about STEM. This year-round program begins with an intensive three-week online summer course each July, followed by virtual weekly sessions from late August through December. These meetings focus on essential skills such as high school preparation, academic writing, and advanced mathematics, providing a strong foundation for future academic success.
You will benefit from live discussions with instructors (65% holding PhDs). With small cohorts of around 12 students, the program fosters a collaborative and supportive learning environment, encouraging peer connections and teamwork. SMSSP not only enhances academic skills but also inspires you to pursue your interests in STEM, giving you a competitive edge as you advance through high school and beyond.
Location: Virtual/In-person TBD
Dates: Weekly sessions over six weeks, late June to early August
Eligibility: Female students in grades 6–12
Deadline: Typically in June
The Women’s Alliance in STEM and Humanities Summer Research Institute offers a six-week program designed for middle and high school girls interested in research across STEM and humanities fields. You will get to collaborate with university faculty and graduate students on active research projects, engaging in hands-on work that builds both foundational and advanced skills.
In this program, you will meet in weekly workshops for 2-3 hours, where a range of topics from basic methodologies to practical applications will be covered. At the end of the program, mentors review the students’ projects and guide those considering publication or further research opportunities.
Location: North Carolina State University Campus
Dates: February 15-February 22
Eligibility: Current eighth-grade students who are residents of North Carolina
Deadline: January 5
Step Up to STEM, hosted by North Carolina State University, is a summer program tailored for underrepresented minority students transitioning into high school. Here, you will have the chance to collaborate with university faculty on research projects and gain a robust in a professional academic setting.
You will explore biological systems and cellular processes through hands-on experiments, STEM workshops, and collaborative projects led by NC State faculty and mentors. The program includes academic and social enrichment activities such as planetarium shows, STEM career panels, lab visits, and interactive events like hip-hop writing workshops, board games, and sports.
7. MIT dynaMIT
Location: MIT campus
Dates: August 11-18 for 6th-7th graders; August 18-22 for 8th and 9th graders
Eligibility: Students grade 6 to 9
Deadline: March 2
This free summer program at MIT is designed for middle school students to engage in science and engineering through hands-on activities.
The program provides students from low-income backgrounds with the opportunity to explore their interests in STEM fields. Through structured experiments and mentorship from MIT students, you will gain exposure to scientific concepts and engineering principles in an interactive setting.
Open to rising 6th–9th graders, the program prioritizes applicants who may not have access to similar enrichment opportunities.
Each week, MIT undergraduate and graduate students serve as mentors, guiding participants through experiments and activities while providing academic support.
The Lawrence at UC Berkeley offers a hands-on, research-based science program designed for high school students to engage with real-world applications of STEM. Over a week, you will conduct scientific research in a university lab, gain exposure to college-level learning, and explore potential STEM career paths. The program also provides opportunities to connect with UC Berkeley students and faculty. Some of the topics that you will engage with include coding, electrical engineering, animal behavior, and biomedical innovations.
Location: UC Berkeley
Dates: June 16 for the first session; June 29 for sessions 2,3, and 4
Eligibility: Grades 7-12
Deadline: March 12
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.
Image Source - Stanford Logo