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Writer's pictureStephen Turban

9 Research Programs for High School Students in Iowa

If you’re a high school student in Iowa interested in research and eager to explore topics beyond your school curriculum, you should consider joining a research program. These programs provide experience in biology, physics, technology, environmental science, business, and more. Participating in a summer research program can help you develop valuable skills and gain practical experience. These programs offer the chance to use advanced technologies and facilities as well as learn about research from experienced professionals. 


Participating in a research program in high school can also strengthen your college applications by showing admissions officers your academic abilities. Additionally, these programs enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving, contributing to your overall academic and career development. These opportunities are a great way to prepare for college while exploring career paths in your field of interest.


To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 9 research programs for high school students in Iowa!




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: Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Cost: 

  • The program fee is $7,500, which includes room, board, materials, admission to scheduled activities, and three semester hours of undergraduate credit from the University of Iowa. 

  • Transportation to and from the university is not included.

  • There is also a non-refundable application fee of $95.

  • Financial aid is available and can cover up to 95% of the program's cost.

  • Merit-based and need-based scholarships are also offered.

Application Deadline: February 14

Dates: June 18 – July 26

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 are eligible to apply.


SSTP at the University of Iowa offers high school students the chance to conduct research with guidance from faculty. You will attend classes and events that develop your skills as a researcher and scholar. You will work on a project with your research group and present a poster at the end of the program. Research areas for summer 2025 include anatomy, anthropology, biology, biomedical engineering, business analytics, engineering fields, genetics, sustainability sciences, and more. As an SSTP student, you will be enrolled at the University of Iowa and earn 3 semester hours of credit upon successful completion. There will also be planned weekend activities. 




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: Memorial Union Building at Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Cost: When held in person, the World Food Prize Foundation and Iowa State University cover lunch and program expenses for participating student delegates and their teacher mentors. However, student and teacher participants are responsible for transportation to and from the event at Iowa State University.

Application Deadline: March 31

Dates: April 30

Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 can apply.


The Iowa Youth Institute allows high school students to engage with experts on global challenges, participate in hands-on activities, and explore ways to address issues in Iowa and worldwide. You will research a global food security topic and its impact on a specific country. Students who complete a research paper and attend the event receive a $1,000 scholarship to Iowa State University, renewable each year they participate. Top students may advance to the Global Youth Institute and receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. These students are also eligible for the World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, an 8-week program with global scientists and policymakers, plus a $6,000 scholarship. Students completing the program can apply for the USDA Wallace Carver Fellowship, which offers research opportunities at U.S. facilities.




Location: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate. Students receive an $8,000 stipend and a small travel allowance.

Application Deadline: November 6

Dates: January 21 – May 16

Eligibility: High school graduating seniors and undergraduate students not currently enrolled at Iowa State University can apply. To participate, you must be enrolled in the Iowa State National Student Exchange program, which allows students from participating schools to join the Iowa State community.


The George Washington Carver Internship Program is an eight-week summer research experience focused on agricultural and life sciences. You will work with faculty mentors from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on research projects in food systems, environmental sustainability, and biological processes. The program includes professional development workshops to support academic and career growth. You’ll learn about agricultural processes, food systems, and the local food industry. You’ll also attend workshops to enhance career prospects and develop a professional network.




Location: Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Cost: Free for all accepted participants 

Application Deadline: The research proposal is due by January 14

Dates: February 24 – February 25

Eligibility: High school students from the Heartland Region, including Iowa and Nebraska, can participate in Heartland-JSHS. Research papers must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Iowa Research Handbook to qualify for the competition. 


The Heartland-JSHS is a science competition for high school students in Iowa and Nebraska. The program includes visits to university research labs, talks from researchers, and opportunities to connect with other students. You will conduct original STEM and humanities research following the Science and Engineering Practices of the Next Generation Science Standards. Proposals are reviewed by judges at the University of Iowa. The top 15 students will give oral presentations with slides at Heartland-JSHS. The top five oral presenters at Heartland-JSHS advance to the National Symposium in April to compete for additional scholarships provided by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. The top five finalists receive $750 scholarships to the University of Iowa from the Belin-Blank Center and an expenses-paid trip to the National Symposium.




Location: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Cost: Free for all accepted participants

Application Deadline: Science Bound collaborates with thirteen middle schools to identify and invite new students during the spring of their 7th-grade year.

Dates: September 28 

Eligibility: 

  • Eighth-grade participants in the preparatory program must complete a science fair project and an essay to apply. 

  • High school participants are required to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. 

  • All participants must meet program attendance requirements and provide a satisfactory oral justification each year to remain in the program.


Science Bound at Iowa State University is designed to involve diverse students from 20 Iowa schools in Agriculture, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (ASTEM) education and research. The program begins the summer before 8th grade and continues through college graduation for Denison, Des Moines, Marshalltown, and Osceola (Clarke County) students. Each year, you will attend four Saturday events at Iowa State University, where you will participate in hands-on research activities led by faculty, staff, and students. Activities include science fairs, summer programs, oral presentations, lab tours, and interactions with ISU staff and students. Students who complete the program and meet admission requirements are awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Iowa State University to pursue an ASTEM-related degree.




Location: The program offers both virtual and in-person research opportunities for students, including options in Iowa. You can check out the lab locations here

Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and interns are provided with a $4,000 stipend.

Application Deadline: April 10 

Dates: June – July

Eligibility: 

  • High school students in grades 10–12 and recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course can apply.

  • Your family income must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, based on family size.

  • Project SEED provides several options to verify financial eligibility, which can be accessed here


Project SEED is a paid summer fellowship for high school students offering hands-on experience in chemistry research. During the program, you will work in research labs at universities, government facilities, or other institutions. You will work on a project either individually or with peers and conclude the program by creating a report or poster. The program focuses on supporting underrepresented communities and includes internships and summer camps to assist with college applications. It aims to prepare you for college and careers in chemistry and may offer opportunities to present research at the American Chemical Society National Meeting. Additionally, Project SEED provides virtual summer camps focused on professional development, college preparation, lab skills, and exploring chemistry career paths.




Location: The Hutton Program is open to students across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. The program matches participants with internships within a 45-minute commute from their homes.

Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate. Students receive a $3,000 stipend and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit.

Application Deadline: January 19

Dates: The internship lasts 8 weeks, typically running from June to late July or August. Specific dates are flexible and arranged between the mentor and the student.

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen (class of 2025 or 2026) who will be at least 16 years old by the start date of their internship are eligible to apply.


The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer internship designed to encourage students to explore careers in fisheries and aquatic sciences. During the program, you will work with professional mentors to learn about conservation issues, aquatic habitat restoration, and fisheries biology. Mentors are located across the country, offering diverse internship opportunities depending on the location and organization. You may get to work outdoors, on boats, in labs, or in offices. Activities include fish population surveys, habitat restoration, electrofishing, water quality testing, data analysis, and educational outreach. Some internships may involve rigorous fieldwork, including overnight or multi-day trips. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.


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. 





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