8 Research Programs for High School Students in Alabama
If you’re a high school student, you should consider conducting research to develop your academic profile. Going beyond textbooks and classroom discussions, research programs offer a chance to experience intellectual discovery firsthand. From hands-on experiments to working alongside university faculty, these programs provide valuable exposure to the scientific process.
Doing research as a high schooler can also give you a competitive edge when applying to top colleges. Admissions officers are always looking for candidates with academic curiosity and transferable skills, and an independent research project can help your application stand out.
Here are 8 great research programs available to high school students in Alabama!
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 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.
Location: University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Cost: N/A
Application Deadline: Details are released in February
Eligibility: High school students
Program Dates: Details are released in February
The Summer Science Institute is a multi-year research program for high school students. In the first summer, you will explore the Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology, tackling short 2-3 day experiments. This is a crash course on the techniques and tools of the field. The second summer ramps up with the Advanced Principles of Biology and Neurobiology, where you will focus on biochemical investigations. Over 5-6 days, you will learn about the role of specific, biologically significant proteins through advanced experiments. In the final summer, you will become a Student Research Intern. This program offers a unique opportunity to evolve from a learner to a contributor to science.
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.
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: Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
Cost: No cost; students receive a stipend of $1,750
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students
Program Dates: Starts from July 29
This 8-week program is designed for high school students eager to explore careers in organic agriculture, such as sustainable farming, agricultural research, or organic inspection. You will gain hands-on experience in sustainable food production through systems-based training at Tuskegee University's Certified Organic Research Farm. This opportunity will equip you with practical skills and a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. It offers a strong foundation for future research and professional paths in agriculture. Admissions for this program usually open before May, based on last year’s deadline. Check out this link to see availability.
Location: Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: N/A. For additional details about the Summer Science Institute, reach out to Dr. Jess Gilpin at jag0038@auburn.edu
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders
Program Dates: June 1 – 7
This week-long summer science program offers an opportunity for Alabama and Georgia students interested in science and mathematics. Hosted at Auburn University, this residential program allows you to work closely with faculty members in science and math research. You will explore advanced topics and gain valuable exposure to cutting-edge research. By collaborating with university professors, you will engage in hands-on learning, deepen your understanding of complex scientific concepts, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Location: Multiple locations, including the University of Alabama in Huntsville
Cost: No cost; stipend levels depend on various locations
Program Dates: Summer Internships are generally 6-10 weeks in May – August
Application Deadline: TBD, check here to stay updated
Eligibility: All participants must be current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Additional eligibility requirements vary by location.
The AEOP High School Internship offers a summer experience for students interested in STEM research. You will work in university labs or U.S. Army Research Centers, gaining exposure to advanced technologies and techniques while tackling real-world challenges. As an intern, you will benefit from mentorship by professional scientists and engineers, building networks and skills that prepare you for competitive college applications and STEM careers. The program includes virtual sessions with Near Peer Mentors, workshops on college readiness, and ongoing support to enhance professional development. For more information, refer to the AEOP FAQs.
Location: Alabama School of Math and Science, Mobile, AL
Cost: N/A
Application Deadline: You can contact the Admissions office at (251) 441-2140 to know more.
Eligibility: High school students at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
Program Dates: You can contact the Admissions office at (251) 441-2140 to know more.
The ASMS Research Fellows Program allows high school students to engage in advanced research. You will work under the guidance of campus faculty and other scholars to complete projects that align with science fair or academic conference standards. These projects can be conducted individually or collaboratively. In the past, students have worked on a wide range of research topics, including aerospace innovations like tether deployment mechanisms and solar sail systems, sustainable construction materials, and advanced aerodynamics for aircraft. Other projects have explored solar wind characteristics, genetic responses to environmental stress in yeast, and experimental fiction's evolution in literature.
Cost: Free; includes a stipend
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: June 3 – July 26
Location: Hybrid, with remote options and sites across Alabama
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors
This 8-week program provides high school students in Alabama with paid, hands-on experience in data science. You will collaborate with local companies leveraging data-driven innovation to gain practical skills in AI, data analytics, and professional growth. By building data literacy, you will prepare for future research opportunities in data science. This initiative not only introduces you to competitive career paths in data science but also helps you prepare to thrive in a tech-driven world.
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.