10 Online Math Research Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high schooler who loves math and wants to take your skills beyond the classroom, online math research programs can be a fantastic option. These programs give you the chance to work on real research problems, learn from professors and mentors, and even publish papers, all while building skills that go way beyond textbook math. Moreover, since they’re online, you don’t have to worry about travel costs or leaving home for weeks at a time. What makes these programs more valuable is the combination of advanced math, problem-solving, and mentorship. You’ll not only strengthen your analytical and research abilities but also connect with like-minded peers and experts from across the world.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best online math research programs for high school students.
1. George Mason University – Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly stated
Location: Remote option available
Cost: Free, with an application fee $25
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 11
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers high school students the chance to contribute to real research projects in mathematics and STEM-related fields. If you’re interested in math, you could work on projects in areas like mathematical modeling, data science, applied statistics, computer simulations, or physics with heavy quantitative applications. Interns are paired with mentors from George Mason faculty and collaborating institutions, and your work may involve developing algorithms, analyzing large datasets, or applying mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems. Alongside research, you’ll strengthen skills in technical writing and scientific communication while exploring potential career paths in applied mathematics and related fields. Some interns even see their work published in journals or presented at conferences, making ASSIP a strong option if you want to show tangible achievements in mathematics and research on your college applications.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Math Track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program
Program Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts run 15 weeks, Summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June – September)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; the Winter cohort application deadline is November 23
Eligibility: High school students (10–11th grades) with at least a 3.67 GPA. Some tracks require specific prerequisites
HARP is a trimester-long research program that allows you to dive into exciting, advanced topics with the support of a professor or PhD mentor. If you’re into math, the program’s math track goes deep into theoretical areas, like knot and link models in 2+1-dimensional spacetimes or computable link invariants used for studying causality. You’ll get to choose whether you want to focus on qualitative or quantitative research, and along the way, you’ll meet one-on-one with your mentor to talk through your ideas, sharpen your methods, and strengthen your arguments. The program concludes with a 20-page research paper that could even be strong enough for submission to an academic journal. Additionally, you’ll receive detailed feedback and a recommendation letter from your mentor, both of which can be huge assets when applying to competitive universities. More details can be found here.
3. University of Maryland MathQuantum Fellowships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~10 students per year
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 25 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in Mathematics
The MathQuantum Fellowships at the University of Maryland are a selective summer opportunity for high school students who want to dive into quantum information science through the lens of mathematics. Over two weeks, you’ll take part in lectures, seminars, problem-solving workshops, and discussions, all guided by university researchers and mentors. You’ll also complete a mini-project that introduces you to research-style work at the intersection of math and quantum science. The fellowship includes professional development sessions that prepare you for future STEM pathways. In some years, fellows are also granted free participation in the Qubit by Qubit Summer Camp, further extending their exposure to quantum computing.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Math Track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fairly selective
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; Full financial aid is available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), Spring (March – June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The Winter cohort application deadline is November 16.
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week, intensive research experience designed for high school students who want to pursue original research. In the Math Track, you’ll work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor to explore advanced mathematical ideas and methods. You’ll be guided to frame a unique research question, build models, and analyze results just like an undergraduate researcher would. You’ll finish the program with an independent research paper, something you can showcase in college applications or future academic pursuits. With the option to apply for full financial aid, the program is accessible to motivated students worldwide who want to challenge themselves academically.
5. PRIMES-USA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~ 50 students
Location: Virtual, mentored by MIT faculty and partners nationwide
Cost: Free
Program Dates: January – December (year-long)
Application Deadline: November 18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores residing in the United States outside the Greater Boston area. Preference given to students with prior math competition experience
PRIMES-USA is a year-long mathematics research program designed for high school sophomores and juniors. You’ll be paired with a mentor, typically a graduate student or faculty member from MIT or partner universities, and spend the year working on original research in advanced mathematics. The program is structured in four phases: background reading, active research, summer independent study, and a final write-up with a presentation at the PRIMES conference in the fall. Expect to dedicate around 10 hours per week, with regular mentor meetings and independent study. By the end of the program, you’ll produce a research paper that may be submitted to national competitions or even professional journals.
6. IMA–MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly stated
Location: Limited virtual slots
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a year-long course in single-variable calculus by the end of the school year
At the IMA–MathCEP Math Modeling Camp, you’ll spend a week learning how math is used to tackle real-world problems. The program focuses on building mathematical models to address challenges like analyzing traffic systems, studying disease spread, or evaluating environmental impacts. You’ll work in teams, guided by instructors, to develop solutions and present your results. The application requires both an online form and a recommendation from a math teacher, highlighting your problem-solving and teamwork skills.
7. IMD High School Summer Research Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Advanced high school students
The IMD High School Summer Research Program gives you the opportunity to take part in hands-on research that connects mathematics with democracy. Over the course of six weeks, you’ll collaborate with peers in small groups, meeting regularly with both instructors and fellow students. Most projects use real-world data, such as census figures or election results, so your work is closely tied to current social and political questions. You’ll also attend weekly guest lectures from leading mathematicians and democracy reformers, plus one session devoted to the college application process. Past projects have ranged from analyzing gerrymandering metrics, from the efficiency gap and partisan bias, to exploring the impact of different apportionments of the House of Representatives on presidential elections. Other topics have included the Median Voter Theorem and simulations of proportional representation systems.
8. AwesomeMath Summer Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Online (live, instructor-led classes with recordings available)
Cost: $1,275 – $1,575 per course, depending on enrollment period; discounts available for two or more courses
Program Dates: Session 1: June 9 – 27, Session 2: June 30 – July 18, Session 3: July 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: Early: January 16, Regular Round 1: February 20, Regular Round 2: March 27, Late Round 1: April 24, Late Round 2: May 27
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in advanced mathematics and contest preparation
The AwesomeMath Summer Program is a three-week online intensive designed for motivated students who want to develop their mathematical problem-solving skills further. Each course meets daily, with a 90-minute lecture followed by a 60-minute problem-solving session, along with daily homework feedback and weekly assessments. You’ll also have access to office hours twice a week and organized social activities that help you build connections with peers worldwide. Courses are offered in Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory, making this especially helpful if you’re preparing for contests like AMC10/12, AIME, or USA(J)MO. With its structured blend of rigorous math and community-building, AwesomeMath has become a go-to choice for many students.
9. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) – Online Mathematics Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition varies by course. Financial aid is available, covering tuition only
Program Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year (course schedules vary by offering)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadline
Eligibility: Students must achieve qualifying test scores on CTY assessments (CTY-Level or above); grade levels vary by course
CTY’s online Mathematics program lets you explore math beyond what you’ll typically see in school, with offerings that range from pre-algebra to cryptology and advanced proof-based courses. You’ll join small online classes with peers, guided by expert instructors, and take part in interactive group meetings each week. For example, courses like Excursions in Pre-Algebra connect math concepts to food, art, and history, while Cryptology: Cracking Codes introduces you to the mathematics of secret communication through hands-on codebreaking. Each course requires 2–4 hours of work per week, including class sessions and independent study. Courses are ungraded but structured to keep you on track with rigorous material. With financial aid available and flexible sessions, this program can fit well whether you’re seeking enrichment, competition prep, or a chance to advance academically.
10. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 64 students online
Location: Online
Cost: $3,850 online. Financial aid available
Program Dates: Session One Online: June 16 – July 4 | Session Two Online: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
SUMaC is an advanced mathematics camp for high school students who are deeply passionate about math. You’ll explore topics far beyond the high school curriculum, such as group theory, number theory, or algebraic topology, and apply these concepts to creative problem-solving and real-world contexts. The program balances lectures with guided research, group problem-solving sessions, and independent work. Online students experience rigorous academics, daily synchronous sessions, and guest lectures from mathematicians while building connections virtually. The program is highly competitive, and SUMaC alumni often describe it as both academically challenging and personally transformative.
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