8 AI Research Programs for High School Students
In today’s rapidly advancing world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is more critical than ever. With technological breakthroughs shaping industries, students need to build a strong foundation in these fields to stay ahead.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an explosive growth area that impacts everything from healthcare to entertainment. Additionally, early exposure to research boosts a student’s problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. By working on research projects in AI, students can build academic skills that will prepare them for college while learning about a pivotal field. Successfully completing such projects can also help them stand out during college admissions.
Below are 8 AI research programs designed for high school students that offer these advantages and more.
Location: Online
Cost: $2,990 (financial aid available)
Eligibility: High school students globally
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort.
Dates/Duration: Varies according to cohort.
Lumiere offers a one-on-one mentorship program where students work alongside expert researchers from top universities. The program is highly flexible, allowing students to choose their research focus, including AI topics like machine learning and neural networks. Cohorts are small, ensuring individualized attention and a deep dive into research projects. With guidance from a PhD-level mentor, students work on an independent AI research project, resulting in a final research paper that could be published. Previous AI research topics include autonomous driving algorithms and AI-driven climate modeling.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $4,000 (financial aid available)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: March 25
Dates/Duration: July 8 – 26
Stanford AI4ALL is a selective program aimed at high school juniors and seniors interested in AI. You will participate in hands-on AI research, learning from Stanford faculty, PhD students, and industry experts. The program focuses on ethical AI, and you will develop projects that address social issues. Topics include AI ethics, reinforcement learning, and AI's societal impact. Field trips to tech companies and mentorship opportunities make this a valuable experience for students interested in AI. 30 students were accepted in 2024.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA or virtual
Cost:
Free for families that earn less than $150,000
$1,750 for families that earn more than $150,000
Eligibility: High school juniors and below who attend school in the U.S.
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates/Duration: July 8 – August 4
The MIT BWSI AI Track offers a range of STEM courses during the summer. Students interested in AI can take the Serious Games and Artificial Intelligence course. In this course, you will use machine learning to create ‘games’ that help solve social problems. For example, a serious game might find the best path for self-driving ambulances to take in a city. As part of the course, you will learn about agile management, software development, and project management. Check out our full guide to BWSI here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over the age of 14
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates/Duration: June 17 – 28
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging research internship provides exposure to AI and healthcare research. You will work on cutting-edge medical imaging projects, using AI to solve complex healthcare problems. The program offers mentorship through two avenues: interactions with Stanford researchers and students, and ‘Career Lunch and Learn’ sessions with guest speakers from industry, academia, non-profit, and government. Around 25 students will be accepted.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $11,874 for residential; $4,975 for commuter. Scholarships available, with priority given to California residents
Eligibility: High school students in 10th or 11th grade with a minimum 3.8 weighted GPA
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates/Duration: June 16 – August 1
UCSB’s Research Mentorship Program gives high school students the chance to conduct intensive research in disciplines ranging from STEM to social science and the humanities. Students interested in artificial intelligence can choose the program’s computer science track. The computer science track allows research in AI, machine learning, and data science, allowing you to work with UCSB researchers. You will present your research findings at the end of the program, gaining valuable experience in academic communication and professional networking. For tips on how to get into this competitive program, you can read our full guide here.
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost:
Tuition: $2,750
Housing (optional): $616
Mandatory meal plan with housing: $192
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 and older who have completed Algebra II or equivalent and have programming experience
Application Deadline: April 22
Dates/Duration: Three sessions are offered:
June 17 – 28
July 8 – 19
July 29 – August 9
New York University’s Machine Learning summer program allows students to explore topics in AI and machine learning beyond the typical high school curriculum. You will learn about the mathematical techniques and data analysis behind ML and AI. Topics include how models are developed through cross-validation, linear regression, and neural networks. Although not a traditional research opportunity, this program places heavy emphasis on hands-on engineering projects, helping you develop the skills needed for further AI research.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free, travel assistance to CMU available
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who will be at least 16 years old by the start date
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates/Duration: June 21 – July 19
Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Program offers underrepresented high school students an in-depth introduction to AI. The curriculum emphasizes real-world AI applications and the ethical implications of AI technologies. You will get the chance to take college-level courses and attend lectures on AI and computing. You will also work on group research projects, participate in workshops, and receive mentorship from CMU faculty.
Manas is a member of the Founder's Office at Lumiere Education. He studied public policy and interactive media at NYU and has experience in education consulting.