Top 27 Summer Research Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in going beyond classroom learning, you should consider applying to a summer research program. Having research experience can be a significant point of differentiation in your college applications, and participating in one at a prestigious university can improve your chances even more.
Summer research programs give you useful experience while allowing you to work on research projects with mentorship. These opportunities are highly selective and geared towards talented high schoolers like you!Â
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the 27 best summer research programs for high schoolers interested in various fields!
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.
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 and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
2. Veritas AIÂ - AI Fellowship with Publication & ShowcaseÂ
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.Â
Location:Â 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.
The NYU ARISE program, hosted by the Tandon School of Engineering, is a tuition-free program that introduces you to research in fields such as biomedical engineering, civil and urban engineering, and mechanical and aerospace engineering. The program begins with four weeks of remote workshops in June, followed by six weeks of lab work. In addition to developing research skills, you will receive training in presentation skills and public speaking. This research program concludes with a colloquium, where you will present your research findings. Check out this ultimate guide to NYU ARISE!
Location:Â New York University campus
Cost: Free; $750 stipend providedÂ
Application deadline: March 6
Program dates: June 3 – August 9
Eligibility: New York City high school students currently enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade
This 7-week program gives high school students the opportunity to undertake research in a variety of disciplines, ranging from science and math to engineering. Students can join research teams, collaborate with faculty members, learn about laboratory equipment and methodologies, and experience life at a research university.
Location:Â Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)
Cost/stipend: The program offers a stipend, but the amount is unknown.
Application deadline:Â February
Program dates: June 26 - August 11
Eligibility: Applicants must belong to high schools that are enrolled in the partner database and must be nominated by their schools. Applicants should be at least 16 years of age, U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Participants in the Clark Scholars Program work closely with Texas Tech's faculty. This engagement in a research setting over a seven-week period is a cornerstone of the program. The program is further enriched with weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips. Selection for the program is highly competitive and is based on academic achievements, teacher recommendations, and clearly defined career objectives. In 2019, the average SAT score of the 12 selected participants was in the 99th percentile, highlighting the program's. For a deep dive into this program, check out this article!
Location: Texas Tech University
Cost: Free
Application deadline: February 15Â
Program dates: June 16 to August 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in the next two years. International students are eligible to apply.
If you're selected for this program, you will spend about 35 hours per week for 6-7 weeks at the RockEDU Laboratory at Rockefeller University, working on hands-on research in the field of biomedicine. The is an excellent learning opportunity since Rockefeller is the oldest biomedical research institute in the United States and attracts top talent for research. This program provides need-based stipends.
Cost: Stipend provided
Location:Â The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Application deadline:Â January 6
Program dates: June 26 – August 10
Eligibility: Juniors and Seniors currently in high school; should be at least 17 years of age.
The HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is an eight-week internship focusing on biomedical and computational research. Areas of research include cancer biology, molecular biology, chemical biology, computational genetics, engineering, immunology, pharmacology, and structural biology. Each student is matched with a mentor who guides them through the internship. In addition to their project work, interns actively participate in laboratory meetings and program sessions, which offer exposure to the diverse professionals within their assigned labs and the larger MSKCC community.Â
Stipend: $1,200
Location: Upper East Side Manhattan, New York City, NY
Application Deadline: Applications close in February.
Program Dates: June 27 – August 22Â
Eligibility: Open to high schoolers (must have completed 9th grade) with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects. Must be 14 or older by June. Students accepted must commit to working 40 hours per week.
This is a prestigious, research-focused apprenticeship program that gives high school students the chance to work in Department of Navy laboratories across the country. With approximately 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP is fairly competitive. In this program, you will work with top researchers and engineers at Navy facilities on actual Naval research, while being mentored by expert Navy scientists and engineers. While working on projects hands-on, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, including engineering, physics, chemistry, and more. Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest.Â
Location:Â Varies based on lab locations.
Application Deadline:Â Applications open in August and close on November 1 every year. Program Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Eligibility:Â Â High school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed Grade 9, and are U.S. citizens can apply.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
MIT's Women's Technology Program (WTP) is an intensive four-week summer academic experience introducing high school students to engineering through hands-on classes, labs, and team projects after 11th grade. The program is completely free with a mechanical engineering focus and looks to empower students with limited STEM access. You can expect to be introduced to topics such as fluid mechanics, statics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and engineering design. The program is designed and taught by graduate students and assisted by undergraduate students at MIT.Â
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 29 to July 26
Application Deadline: January 22Â
Eligibility: Female-identifying 11th-grade students
This two-week course at UC Berkeley allows students to familiarize themselves with teamwork, communications, presentations, creating a business plan, and research methods in a highly selective cohort of only 50 students. In addition to the program, students will also attend guest lectures, engage in social activities, and work in teams to create a business plan that they will present at the end of the course. As part of the program, they will also be able to interact with other UC Berkeley students.Â
Location:Â University of California (Berkeley) campusÂ
Cost: California resident tuition: $6,050; Out-of-state resident tuition: $7,050
Program Dates: Session I: July 6 – July 20; Session II: July 20 – August 3
Application deadline:Â March 15
Eligibility:Â High school students
SIMR lets high school students with diverse experiences, interests, and backgrounds engage in research alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers. The program aims to boost interest in biological sciences and medicine among high school students and provides insight into the process of scientific research. Each year, about 50 students are accepted and participants are given a minimum stipend of $500. Participants are also allowed to choose from 8 research areas within the program.Â
Location: Stanford University campus
Cost: $40 application fee
Program Dates: June 10 to August 1
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Students must currently be juniors or seniors at the time of application, be 16 years old or older by the start of the program, must currently be living in and attending school in the U.S., and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
CS Scholars (CSS), part of the CS Pathways initiative, is a fully funded, 4-week immersive program at CMU for rising high school juniors. Led by Carnegie Mellon faculty and researchers, it offers college-level courses, college prep seminars, and Python programming. In this program, you can expect to learn algorithmic components, basic data structures and computational skills. Students will engage in a group project addressing real-world challenges using computer science and present their work at the end of the program. Beyond the program, students will get to interact with CMU faculty and industry leaders in the field of computer science.Â
Location: Carnegie Mellon campus
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 22 to July 20
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students must be 16 years old by the program start date, be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient, and be a sophomore in high school at the time of application submission.
The prestigious Spark Summer Internship Program matches high school students with industry experts, professors, and community leaders to work on projects with their mentors. As part of the program, students take on research projects through their internship for a period of 8-12 weeks. In the new model that the program is adopting in 2024, the mentors will choose their preferred candidates for the internship and guide them through their research work. The program focuses on various STEM fields and prepares students for a potential career in scientific research.Â
Location:Â Depends on internship provider
Cost: To be announced
Program Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline:Â April (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility:Â You must be in grades 9-12 and be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
RSI provides students with a summer research initiative that is sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and hosted at MIT. During this 6-week program, students participate in intensive STEM courses while working on their research projects. You will have the opportunity to work under esteemed scientists and get a hands-on understanding of the various components of a usual research cycle. You will also create a research project that you have the opportunity to present and publish at the end of the program.
Location: MIT campus
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 23 to August 3
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: Current 11th grade students
RIBS is a rigorous pre-college summer initiative designed to introduce students to diverse research methods in molecular biology, microbiology, and cellular biology. The primary focus of the program is hands-on lab work and projects, although they are supplemented by lectures that are included in the curriculum. At the end of the program, students have the opportunity to present their individual projects.
Location: The University of Chicago campus
Cost: $14,000
Program Dates: June 15 to July 13
Application Deadline: January 18
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th grade students
The two-week Discover Biomedical Research Summer Program aims to provide a foundation for students aiming for careers within bio-medical research and science careers. Along with gaining laboratory experience, you will have access to 1:1 mentorship from current Graduate students at Vanderbilt University. You will learn about STEM topics, including how to make evidence-based decisions and deepen your understanding of academic science culture. The program will culminate in a closing ceremony where you can showcase your research findings.Â
Location: Vanderbilt University, TN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 9 - June 20
Application Deadline:Â April 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 -12 over 16 years old. No prior lab experience is required.
The Secondary Student Training Program aims to provide mentorship from faculty and college credits. You will complete a group project and present a poster at the end of the program. You will explore areas of interest and attend an orientation seminar along with weekly workshops to build your professional and personal skills. In addition, you will participate in recreational activities and have access to the University library, study area, and computer facilities. Research departments and areas include anatomy and cell biology, chemistry, genetics, pathology, psychiatry, internal medicine, and mechanical engineering. The complete list can be found here. Â
Location:Â University of Iowa, IA
Cost: $7,500 (financial aid is available)
Dates:Â June 18 - July 26
Application Deadline:Â Applications open on December 16, and application deadline is February 14
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program provides experience in various fields, including cancer immunology, neuroscience, AI, physics, quantum mechanics, and bioengineering. You will be assigned to a research group that aligns with your interests. To find out more about the research groups SpHERES and GEnYUS, click here. During the 30-35 hours you dedicate per week, you will participate in research and attend weekly seminars. You will interact with faculty, students, and teachers. The program culminates with a symposium where you showcase a research poster and your findings. Find past research here. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Location:Â University of Illinois, IL (occasionally hybrid or virtual)
Cost:Â None
Dates:Â June 20 - August 1
Application Deadline:Â Typically, the end of March
Eligibility:Â Rising grade 10-12 students in the cities of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
Set up by a non-profit in 1959, the Summer Science Program provides a science research experience for high school students in astrophysics, genomics, and biochemistry. Under faculty mentorship, each team performs its own research. The program includes classroom teaching, lab sessions, and guest speakers. You will analyze data and report the results in teams of three. After the completion of the program, there is a brief closing ceremony. You will also join an alumni network of over 3,400 participants. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. Â
Location:Â Multiple campuses, including MIT, Harvey Mudd College, California Institute of Technology
Application Deadline:Â January 24 (international students), February 21 (domestic students)
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors who have completed the pre-requisites
This 8-week High School Summer Research Internship focuses on exploring different types of engineering through research. You will participate in 30 research hours a week, workshops, and field trips. Working with faculty from one of the seven engineering departments, you will work on a research project. You will present your findings at the Utah Science and Engineering Fair.
Location:Â University of Utah - John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, UT
Cost:Â Free
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline:Â February 15
Eligibility: Open to all high school students graduating in the next 2 yearsÂ
An international open research project, CrowdMath is a collaborative space for students interested in research mathematics. The Art of Problem Solving and MIT PRIMES work together to encourage you to discover new ideas. With a strong mentor network, including Fellows from MIT and UC Irvine, you’ll work with peers on a research project. This year, the project is Goldback Semidomains. You may get to publish your findings. You can find past projects here.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Runs throughout the year
Application Deadline:Â Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Pathmaker Scholars Cancer Research Program works to encourage underrepresented communities to conduct biomedical cancer research. This program prepares you for careers in education, medicine, and research. During this residential ten-week program, you will receive laboratory technique training and work on an individual research project. You will also get to present your work at the Summer Research Symposium. You will need to attend weekly meetings, program events, and more. If you complete this program, you will automatically be accepted for the following year. Â
Location: University of Utah - Huntsman Cancer Institute, UT
Cost: Free, stipend will be provided
Dates:Â May 26 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: A high school student who has completed their junior year before the start of the program, is a member of a historically underrepresented group, and is a citizen or non-citizen national of the USA or has a valid Alien Registration Card I-551
The EnergyMag research internship will allow you to work on a research project in renewable energy. You will also get to understand more about the energy storage company. In your research project, you will gather data, analyze, and even produce a report published under your name on the EnergyMag website. Interns can choose between half-time summer programs lasting 2 to 8 weeks or quarter-time programs that span up to 9 months. The program's flexibility ensures that students can tailor their internships to fit their schedules and academic needs.
Location: Virtual
Cost:Â None
Dates:Â Half-time (summer) or quarter-time internships available throughout the year
Application Deadline:Â Applications through the year
Eligibility:Â Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of over 3.25. One honors science or English class is typically required.
24. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
This rigorous Summer Research Internship focuses on AI and healthcare. You will attend lectures on the applications of AI within medicine by Stanford researchers. Building your skills in coding, math, and statistics, you will participate in a group project and solve problems related to AI in medicine. Upon culmination of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 (program fee) and $40 (application fee). Financial aid is available within certain criteria here
Dates: June 16 - June 27
Application Deadline:Â February 28
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14, must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or provide documentation of valid visa status.Â
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program allows students to explore the natural sciences and engineering. You will participate in ongoing research projects guided by Princeton faculty and staff. Each project has its own schedule and timelines. The program culminates in a two-page report. This is a highly competitive program. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Location:Â Princeton University, NJ
Cost:Â Free
Dates: 5-6 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
This Research Mentorship Program allows students to conduct research along with UC Santa Barbara researchers. You will choose a research topic from a range of options, including Psychology, Environmental Policy, Earth Science, Media, Arts, and Tech. During this 6-week research program, you will be expected to dedicate 35-50 hours a week to research. You will have access to the library, do fieldwork, and collect data. You will learn to write a technical research paper, which you will present at a symposium, and even earn college credits. You can apply here. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Location:Â University of California - Santa Barbara, CA
Cost:Â $12,474 (residential option), $5,175 (commuter option). Financial aid/scholarships are available with priority given to CA residents
Dates:Â June 16 - August 1
Application Deadline:Â March 17
Eligibility:Â High school students in grades 10-11 with a weighted GPA of 3.8
The PROMISE Scholars Summer Internship is a program for students interested in biomedical sciences. During the ten weeks, you will conduct research under the guidance of their laboratory scientists. You will learn to frame research inquiries, attend career seminars, and understand scientific ethical principles. Upon completion, you will present your scientific poster at the Sanford research symposium and earn 3 undergraduate elective credits.
Location:Â Sanford Research, SD
Cost:Â Not mentioned, a $4,000 scholarship is offered
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline:Â January 17
Eligibility: High school students must be 16 years old by May 27 and entering their senior year
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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