8 Research Programs for High School Students in Virginia
High school students in Virginia can gain a competitive edge in college admissions by participating in research programs. These programs allow you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems through hands-on learning. Additionally, you will benefit from mentorship by university faculty or industry experts, gaining exposure to real-world challenges.
Participating in research programs can strengthen your college applications. It can help you stand out among competitive STEM applicants as someone who demonstrates initiative and curiosity. Research experience highlights these qualities, showcasing your ability to tackle challenges, collaborate, and contribute to advancements in your field of interest.
We have curated a list of 8 research programs for high school students in Virginia to help you choose the one that best suits your interests.
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).
VIMS Governor’s School offers a summer residential program for up to six students who have demonstrated an interest in marine science. The program serves high-achieving high school students throughout Virginia. The program is structured as an apprenticeship that offers various marine research experiences. You will receive mentorship from VIMS researchers, field trips, vessel-based studies, and laboratory experiences. Specific learner outcomes and achievements vary from student to student as they are paired with a faculty sponsor on a VIMS research project. Click here to apply.
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – July 19
Application Deadline: January 5, 2025
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Virginia with demonstrated interest in marine sciences who are nominated by school officials
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.
This interactive online STEM learning experience is for students keen on NASA-related research. It includes a week-long residential summer academy at the NASA Langley Research Center. VASTS is a free competitive program for high school juniors and seniors to take an online NASA-developed course focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills. Based on course performance, you may be selected to participate in an all-expenses-paid residential Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center. The course includes a final project that allows you to build your knowledge of NASA, space exploration, and key STEM topics. You will receive mentorship from NASA professionals.
Location: Hampton, VA
Cost: Free
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years of age, 11th or 12th grade students, U.S citizens, Virginia residents, and have a minimum GPA of 2.7
This multi-year program from Virginia Tech College offers a comprehensive experience for aspiring engineers. It includes summer and year-round components, aiming to support first-generation students and their families by providing essential resources and tools to pursue an engineering degree. You can expect to engage in a hands-on learning environment, honing your research skills and gaining valuable experience. This program includes assistance with college applications, visits to the Virginia Tech campus, and networking opportunities with the faculty and seniors. You will have the chance to connect with the engineering community and gain valuable research insights into the field. The program helps with SAT/ACT testing, math readiness, admission essays, and more.
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Cost: Free
Dates: Two-week residential summer camp, typically held in July
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors. Preference will be given to students who are first-generation or underrepresented in STEM.
ASSIP offers a unique opportunity for high school students to engage in hands-on research in fields such as Earth Science, Molecular Medicine, Cyber Security, Finance, Astronomy, Math, and Forensic Science. The program is designed to develop your scientific writing and communication skills. By partnering with a university mentor, you will explore research opportunities and potential STEM career paths. You will gain insights into your field of interest through discussion forums and meetings with role models and mentors. Additionally, you may get your name published in scientific journals and your work presented at scientific conferences. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be 15 years or older; for ‘wet labs’ must be 16 years or older
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium sponsors the VESS program, offering a STEM experience for high school juniors and seniors across Virginia. Through its online platform, you can explore NASA’s satellite missions that enhance our understanding of Earth’s intricate systems using remote sensing technology. You can earn up to 5 free, transferable dual-enrollment college credits through Virginia Peninsula Community College. After completing the online coursework, top-performing scholars will be invited to a 7-day residential Summer Academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. There, you will interact with NASA engineers and scientists. This program is highly competitive. To read more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Hampton, VA
Cost: Free
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years of age, 11th or 12th grade students, U.S citizens, Virginia residents, and have a minimum GPA of 2.7
NOVA’s STEM programs seek to help students explore professions in science, technology, engineering, and math. The college offers cutting-edge tools, such as its Fab Lab, to assist with certifications and prepare you for technology jobs. In addition to covering hardware skills like computer assembly, the Computer Science/Information Technology (IT/CS) course also explores artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The Engineering Technology/Data Center Operations (ET/DCO) track offers information on semiconductor production and engineering technology and the opportunity to obtain an OSHA 10 certificate. Each program includes hands-on activities and industry site visits.
Location: Northern Virginia Community College campuses in VA
Cost: Information not available yet
Dates: June through August
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and current juniors
Stephen is a Harvard College graduate and one of the founders of Lumiere. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.