8 Online Research Mentorship Programs for High School Students
Participating in an online research mentorship program before college can be a valuable experience for high school students. These programs offer a unique opportunity to gain exposure to scientific research while working with university faculty or industry experts. Hands-on learning allows you to explore real-world problems, develop critical thinking skills, and build a solid foundation in research methodologies.
Beyond the academic benefits, these experiences can enhance your college application, especially when applying to competitive undergraduate programs. Admissions committees value candidates with initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to academic excellence. Engaging in research not only highlights these qualities but also sets you apart by showcasing your ability to contribute meaningfully to the academic community.
Here are 8 online research mentorship programs for high school students worth checking out!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
The MathQuantum High School Fellowships introduce you to the intersection of mathematics and quantum information science (QIS). This program includes lectures, seminars, professional development workshops, hands-on activities, discussions, and a mini-project. The program aims to bridge skills in mathematics and QIS, enabling you to explore interdisciplinary research. Fellows also gain exposure to career paths through industry connections and professional development sessions.
Cost: Free (no stipend provided).
Dates: 2-week program during the summer (specific dates vary annually).
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in mathematics, computer science, physics, or quantum information science. No prior experience is required.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program designed to increase diversity in artificial intelligence. The program combines lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentorship to introduce you to cutting-edge AI applications. The program applies AI to medicine, disaster response, and poverty alleviation. You will work closely with professionals from the Stanford AI Lab, gaining exposure to real-world AI research.
Cost: $4,000 (one-time payment)
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: The program is open to students entering 9th grade or rising 10th graders during the summer. Participants must be at least 14 years old by the program's start date. Preference will be given to students with experience in math and/or computer skills. International students are welcome to apply.
SPARK SIP provides high school students with hands-on learning experiences by connecting them with industry professionals, educators, and mentors from diverse fields. With an acceptance rate of less than 5%, SPARK SIP allows you to work on research projects in computer science and related disciplines. Previous cohorts have tackled projects such as designing tools for detecting tick-borne diseases and breast cancer, classifying DNA sequences using electrical signatures, and exploring 2D materials as potential conductors or semiconductors. Primarily conducted in person, the program also offers limited remote opportunities. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Application Deadline: Typically closes in May
Program Dates: 6–12 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Cost/Stipend: Participants receive a $500 stipend. For in-person roles, students are responsible for arranging their lodging, transportation, and meals.
JHIBS is a summer research program that exposes high school students to the neurological sciences, particularly neuroscience and psychology. The program provides hands-on, mentored research experiences, allowing you to explore career opportunities in behavioral health sciences. The internship includes in-person and virtual options, with a strong focus on diversity in the biomedical field. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Cost: Typically free for participants.
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors who are enrolled in high school and have a strong academic record in STEM courses.
The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program aimed at high school students interested in exploring AI's technical and clinical aspects in healthcare. The program offers lectures, mentoring, research projects, and career development activities related to AI and its applications in medicine. You will work on group research projects, receive mentoring from Stanford student leads and researchers, and engage in social activities. The program also includes virtual career sessions with guest speakers from various sectors, such as academia, industry, and government. At the end of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility:
High school students entering 9th to 12th grade in the Fall.
Must be over 14 years old by the start of the program.
Strong preference for students with math or computer programming skills or experience with healthcare projects.
Must be a U.S. resident.
Preference for students from underrepresented backgrounds in AI.
Fees:
Application Fee: $40
Program Participation Fee: $850 (if accepted)
PRIMES-USA is a research program for high school sophomores and juniors residing in the U.S. outside the Greater Boston area. Focusing on advanced mathematics research, the program allows you to work on individual or group projects under the guidance of MIT mentors. You will develop proof-writing skills, gain exposure to higher-level mathematics, and collaborate with peers and experts. PRIMES-USA operates entirely online, enabling students nationwide to participate. Admission is highly competitive and based on a comprehensive application, including a problem set submission and recommendations.
Application Deadline: November 18
Program Dates: January to May
Eligibility:
High school sophomores and juniors residing in the U.S. outside Greater Boston.
Must live at least 50 miles from Boston (those closer should apply to MIT PRIMES).
Preference for students with advanced math skills or prior experience in summer math programs.
Fees: No participation fee
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.