16 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Illinois
Research is a great way to explore a subject you’re interested in depth. If you’re a high school student keen on learning how to conduct research, you should consider applying for a summer research program! These programs will help you develop your research skills and expose you to several career paths in your chosen field.Â
A summer research program will also give you the opportunity to build a strong network of professionals, industry experts, and peers – something that would be useful in the future. You will improve your critical thinking and analytical skills. Additionally, research programs can significantly boost your college applications!
If you’re a high schooler in Illinois, there are several universities, organizations, and laboratories that offer summer research programs that you can consider. Most of these are free to attend, with many also offering a stipend. While some are paid, there are scholarship and aid opportunities as well. To help you get started, here’s a curated list of 16 summer research programs for high school students in Illinois!
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!
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. 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Application Deadline: Applications open at the start of the year.
Program Dates: June 17 - August 2
Cost/Stipend: No cost to attend, other than transport to and from the university. Housing, meals, and a monetary award are provided.
This program allows you to work on research projects in neuroscience, cancer immunology, artificial intelligence, bioengineering, physics, quantum mechanics, electrical engineering, and more. This highly selective program accepts only around 30 students from over 600 applicants. While applying, you should indicate your preference for 2 out of 3 of the following research groups, one of which you will be assigned after you are accepted: POETS Young Scholars, SpHERES Young Scholars, or Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS).
Location: Virtual
Cost:Â $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: On a rolling basis.
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Program selectivity: Moderately selective
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
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: University of Chicago | University of Illinois at Chicago | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Northwestern University | Rush University.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old and from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: Second week of June through the first week of August every year (8 weeks).
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a taxable stipend of $3,000.
The ResearcHStart program allows students interested in cancer research to conduct research at one of the participating institutions. You will work under the mentorship of cancer researchers and gain experience in bioengineering, cancer immunology, cancer disparities, experimental cancer therapeutics, and more. You will receive research training and attend faculty lectures, career and skill development workshops, and a network of faculty and peer mentors. You will also get to work individually and in research groups to complete a research project in the field. The program ends with a research symposium where you will present your project to faculty, students, family, and friends. This program only accepts 30 students each year.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (juniors at the time of application) and undergraduate college/university students who are at least 16 years old.
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in February.
Dates: Early June through the end of July every year (8 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, but interns must arrange their own housing and transportation. Interns are paid a competitive stipend.
Northwestern University’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care organizes this program to give students research training and academic and professional development support. If selected, you will be matched with a Northwestern faculty member who will assign you a hypothesis-driven or hypothesis-generating research project. Through this project, you will contribute to the laboratory’s lung disease research while learning new research skills and techniques. You will also attend activities and workshops to improve your college applications and advance your professional development. You may also get a chance to attend additional social events and tours. The program will conclude with a presentation from all participants at the Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Symposium.
Location: University of Illinois, Chicago, IL.
Eligibility: Illinois high school students who are at least 16 years old.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Dates: June 10 - August 2.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. You will receive a stipend.
The University of Illinois’ College of Medicine Rockford hosts a summer science internship to help students understand the medical research process and how it can contribute to discoveries and innovations. In this program, you will work in a research team while receiving one-on-one mentorship from professional scientists and faculty members. Project areas include vaccine development, drug development, and cancer cure research. You will also receive career-building and professional development training. The program will conclude with a science forum where you will deliver oral presentations and display scientific posters. Note that only 5 students are accepted for this internship.Â
Location: Illinois State University, Normal, IL.
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors.
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in May.
Dates: July 22 - July 26.
Cost/Stipend: The cost is $300Â per student (including daily lunches and a t-shirt). You can learn about scholarship offers by emailing ocourier@IllinoisState.edu. This is a commuter program with no housing offered.
ISRA allows high school students to spend a week at the university working on research projects in chemistry, physics, biology, and information technology. The research opportunities offered in the past included investigating stress resistance in pathogens, house wren evolutionary ecology, and computational modeling to solve chemistry problems. You will work with the university’s professors and students, learning important skills. You will either work on ongoing research projects or your own group research projects. This research academy is a great way to become familiar with the tools, technologies, techniques, and resources involved in the research process.
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL.
Eligibility: Local Illinois high school seniors who are 18 years old by the start of the program and have a minimum GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in March.
Dates: June 10 - August 2.
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate, but students must arrange their own housing and transportation. You will receive a weekly stipend of $500.
Argonne National Laboratory’s College Bound Research Program lets high school students work in a laboratory or office environment under the mentorship of scientists and engineers. If selected, you will work full-time in the laboratory throughout the research program. You will receive access to the national laboratory’s state-of-the-art technologies and facilities while contributing to ongoing research. The lab conducts research in advanced computing, energy, discovery science, global security, accelerator systems, biosciences, chemical sciences, and more. This research program is a prestigious opportunity to work at a laboratory of national importance, allowing you to develop useful skills and boost your college and job applications.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL.
Cost: Overnight: $1,500–$3,000, Daytime: $500–$650, Virtual: $300–$375. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Typically runs for one, two, or four weeks between June and August, depending on the type of program.
Application Deadline: May 1. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.Â
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th graders are eligible to apply.
Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep summer research programs introduce high school students to coding, robotics, sustainability, and human sciences. These programs blend academic rigor with cultural enrichment. You will gain experience through activities led by Illinois Tech faculty and industry experts while networking with peers and current students. You will receive a Certification of Completion, a valuable credential for college applications, and may qualify for the $500 Edge Award scholarship toward Illinois Tech’s undergraduate tuition.
Location: University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Rockford, IL.
Cost: There is currently no information available.Â
Dates: June 23 - June 27.
Application Deadline: April 1.
Eligibility: High school students from select high schools who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program are eligible to apply.
This one-week summer research camp aims to introduce high school students in Illinois to the diverse fields of biomedical sciences. You will explore medical research, discover how it contributes to treatments for diseases, and understand bioengineering innovations that lead to novel products. You will also learn about potential careers in science. Offered by the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Illinois, this summer camp combines instruction, activities, and demonstrations of advanced technologies in medical research.Â
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, IL.
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend of $3,000.
Dates: June 16 – August 8.
Application Deadline: January 20.
Eligibility: High school students completing their sophomore, junior, or senior years from backgrounds underrepresented in science and healthcare are eligible to apply.
CHESS is a summer program designed to train underrepresented high school students interested in careers in cancer research and other health-related professions. Organized in partnership between the University of Illinois Cancer Center and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Urban Health Program, this program allows you to work alongside UIC faculty in a laboratory. You will undertake an independent research project aligned with your interests. At the program’s conclusion, you will present your findings at the Cancer Center’s student research symposium. Additionally, the program includes workshops, lectures, and activities.Â
Location: University of Chicago, IL.
Cost: $14,490. Need-based financial aid is available.Â
Dates: June 14 - July 12.
Application Deadline: Regular: March 5 | Extended: April 9 | Rolling: April 15 - May 15.
Eligibility: High school students in 10th and 11th grades can apply. High school biology is required.Â
This four-week training program introduces high school students to molecular, microbiological, and cell biological techniques commonly used in research laboratories. The program adopts a project-based approach, beginning with foundational lab techniques and advancing to modern molecular methods applied to cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, and cancer biology. Following two weeks of training, you will dedicate the remainder of the program to an independent research project. You will attend weekly seminars led by research faculty and a final research forum where you will present your project findings.Â
Location: Bradley University, Peoria, IL.
Cost: $1675. Need-based financial aid is available.Â
Dates: June 4 – July 30.
Application Deadline: April 1.
Eligibility: High school students at least 15 years old are eligible to apply.
The BEST (Building Excellent Scientists for Tomorrow) Research Internship Program is designed to lay a strong foundation in scientific research for high school students. The program targets students interested in careers in biology, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. As an intern, you will conduct research in laboratories across Peoria, committing between 150 and 300 hours throughout the program. The summer program provides a mentored research experience, helping you expand your technical skills, connect with professionals in the scientific community, and gain valuable educational and career-related insights. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings at the Interns Symposium.
Location: Hybrid. In-person at Fermilab, Batavia, IL.
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Students receive a weekly stipend of $500.
Dates: July 14 – August 8.
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 15 and close on March 15.
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled in an Illinois high school are eligible to apply.
PRISM offers a four-week summer research program for high school students in Illinois and recent graduates. You will explore particle physics, quantum science, engineering design, and artificial intelligence through activities, lectures, and guided tours of Fermilab’s research facilities. Each week spotlights a distinct scientific theme. With mentorship, professional development opportunities, and a support network, PRISM can help you strengthen your STEM knowledge and prepare for future academic pursuits.
Location: Discovery Partners Institute, Chicago, IL.
Cost: Free!
Cohort Size: 100 students in total. 25 students per course.
Dates: June 24 - August 2.
Application Deadline: Applications open on March 1, close on May 2, and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade high school students can apply.
Digital Scholars is a six-week summer program to teach high schoolers advanced computing skills and prepare them for college and career success. The program supports Black and Latinx students, young women, first-generation learners, and those from CPS and the Chicago area. You can choose from computer science, data science, electrical and computer engineering courses, or mobile app development. You will engage with Chicago’s tech ecosystem through daily speaker sessions and workshops. A collaboration between UIC CHANCE, UIUC Grainger College of Engineering, UIUC College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Swift, the program fosters skills such as communication, teamwork, and networking.
Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend.
Dates: June 23 - August 1.
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 9 and close on February 28.
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors who are residents of Chicago are eligible to apply.
Rush University Medical Center’s six-week paid research program offers rising high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to explore careers in STEM and healthcare. As a MedSTEM Explorer, you will engage in workshops, research, and discussions with professionals. You will prepare for college and future careers by building critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The program provides healthcare training, networking opportunities, and the chance to earn first aid and CPR certifications. Successful participants may qualify for the MedSTEM Pathways internship.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.