14 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in San Diego
If you are a high school student, a summer research program is a great way to explore your interests and develop new skills. They allow you to gain practical skills in advanced laboratory techniques and data analysis while offering unique industry exposure. Offered by various universities and organizations, these programs also allow you to build valuable connections with mentors and develop your network.
Why should you attend a research program in San Diego?
San Diego is home to several universities, labs, and research centers that host structured programs across science, engineering, and technology. As a participant, you may conduct experiments, analyze data, or contribute to ongoing research projects under the guidance of experienced scientists. Whether you’re local or visiting from another state, studying in San Diego lets you learn within one of the country’s leading hubs for biotechnology and research.
Below, we have listed 14 summer research programs for high school students in San Diego.
If you are looking for STEM research programs in California, check out our blog here.
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of Navy labs; NHRC Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, is one of them
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipends of: $4,000 for first-time participants, $4,500 for returning participants
Dates: 8 weeks in summer (with possible 2-week extension)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: 10th-12th grade high school students who are U.S. citizens | Must be 16+ by start date | Some labs may have additional criteria
SEAP is an 8-week summer program that places high school students in Department of the Navy labs across the country to work on real research alongside Navy scientists and engineers. Open to students with strong academic records and an interest in STEM, this highly competitive program offers a rare glimpse into the world of Naval research and development. Around 300 students are selected each year to contribute to fields such as cybersecurity, marine engineering, robotics, materials science, and computer modeling. It matches you to labs based on your interests and application strength, including recommendations and personal statements.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
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.
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Scripps Research Translational Institute: Student Research Internship Program
Location: La Jolla, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 8 | June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 by the internship’s start date
This 10-week summer program immerses high school and college students in translational science, with a focus on genomics, mobile health (mHealth), and personalized medicine. As an intern, you will be exposed to clinical trial design, data analysis, and the real-world application of digital health tools. Each student is paired with a mentor based on their interests and can choose between dry lab or limited wet lab positions. If you're fascinated by how data, biology, and tech intersect in medicine and you want to learn from leading scientists, this program offers just the right balance of challenge and mentorship.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: 12-week to year-long cohorts offered in summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers ambitious high school students the chance to receive one-on-one mentorship from Ph.D. mentors on self-directed research projects. Conducted entirely online, this program allows participants to explore academic fields such as psychology, economics, computer science, engineering, and international relations. As a participant, you will receive individualized guidance as you research, write, and complete a formal research paper throughout the program at the end of 12 weeks, and become eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit. With flexible scheduling and full financial aid available, this program is apt for high-achieving students ready to take on academic work that mirrors a college-level research experience.
5. JCVI Summer Internship Program
Location: Rockville, MD, and La Jolla, CA
Stipend: $17.50/hour
Dates: Summer (May – August); Part-time academic-year positions also available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; positions close once filled
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0, who are U.S. citizens
The JCVI Internship Program offers students hands-on experience in genomic research through structured mentorship and active participation in ongoing scientific projects. As an intern, you will work alongside leading scientists in areas such as synthetic biology, infectious disease, and bioinformatics. Beyond the bench, students actively participate in professional development through researcher-guided journal clubs, where they sharpen their critical thinking by dissecting scientific literature with their peers. The program culminates in a formal judged poster symposium, challenging students to translate their technical findings. This is a competitive, paid opportunity ideal for students exploring careers in STEM.
6. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $17.75/hr
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically, late March
Eligibility: Students who are San Diego residents and have completed their most recent high school semester at a private or public school within San Diego County | Must be 16 years old by June 15 | Minimum 2.75 GPA
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program is an eight-week paid internship that includes lab work, seminars, biotech site visits, and workshops, all designed to expose students to real-world science and lab culture. The program places strong emphasis on mentorship, scientific communication, and building foundational lab skills. As an intern, you will focus on the complete scientific cycle from formulating novel hypotheses and maintaining meticulous laboratory notebooks to executing complex experiments, and conclude your experience by presenting your research projects at a final symposium. It's a great fit for students who are serious about pursuing STEM in college.
7. The Scintillon Research Institute: Summer Research Internship Program (SURE)
Location: Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,000; $2,500 (for applications after May 1); financial aid is available
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students who are at least 16 years old
The SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience) Program is designed for high school students in San Diego who are passionate about biomedical research. With a strong focus on nurturing talent from underserved backgrounds, this immersive program introduces you to real lab work, scientific thinking, and future career pathways in science. As a participant, you will be paired with mentors and be expected to follow a specially designed research curriculum and be on-site full-time through the week. Past students have gone on to attend top universities and often credit the program with shaping their academic and career goals.
8. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: UC San Diego, San Diego Supercomputer Center
Cost: $1,500 with research project, else no cost
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 who are Southern California residents and have completed their most recent high school semester, are at least 16 years old on or before June 15 of the application year, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Hosted by the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UCSD, REHS is an intensive eight-week summer internship for high school students interested in computational science and research. As a participant, you will work in small groups on real research projects under the guidance of UCSD scientists and mentors. You will learn how to formulate and test hypotheses, conduct computational experiments, and interpret the results of those experiments. The program also emphasizes practical learning, collaboration, and scientific communication through activities like lab meetings and a final poster presentation.
9. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: UC San Diego, CA
Cost: $5,518 + $46 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: July 5 – 31
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: California rising 9th-12th graders who typically have a GPA of 3.5 and above
COSMOS at UC San Diego is a four-week residential program for high school students who show strong interest and ability in STEM. In this program, you will get to dive deep into focused academic clusters like bioengineering, computer science, or marine biology, drawing from UCSD’s strengths as a research university. You’ll participate in team projects, seminars, and lab experiments that focus on the mathematical foundations of modern scientific inquiry. The program is competitive, but it’s an excellent stepping stone for those seriously considering STEM in college and beyond.
10. Sanford Burnham Prebys (SBP) SPARK Program
Location: Sanford Burnham Prebys campus in La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: 6-week period during the summer, typically mid-June to early August
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the internship and residents of San Diego County or Imperial County
The Sanford Burnham Prebys SPARK Program offers a rigorous six-week immersion in regenerative medicine. You dive into specialized topics such as stem cell biology, genomics, and tissue regeneration while working on projects that address diseases such as heart defects and cancer. Throughout the summer, you'll perform hands-on lab activities like flow cytometry to analyze cell markers, zebrafish model screenings, and bioinformatics data analysis. By the end, you'll have gained advanced laboratory technical skills, mastered science communication, and built a professional network for a future career in research. The program welcomes students from underrepresented backgrounds.
11. UCSD: OPTIMUS Outreach Program
Location: Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: 10th–11th grade high school students at select San Diego high schools (Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss)
Designed for ambitious high schoolers from underrepresented groups, the OPTIMUS program at UC San Diego offers a deep dive into the dual worlds of oncological research and clinical practice. Rather than just observing, you’ll actively contribute to lab projects while mastering practical medical skills, like suturing, under the direct supervision of residents and faculty. This mentorship-rich environment bridges the gap between laboratory benchwork and patient care, clarifying the path to a career in medicine. By the end of the summer, you will have gained the professional confidence and scientific insight necessary to excel in higher education and beyond.
12. UC San Diego Marine Science - Investigating Human and Climate Impacts on Oceans and Biodiversity
Location: Hybrid (Week 1 online; Weeks 2–3 in person at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA)
Cost: $4,900
Dates: June 22 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old by the program’s start
Operating at the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, this advanced research program challenges students to transition from learners to independent investigators under the guidance of expert mentors. You will spend your summer designing and executing a self-led study, with the freedom to explore topics such as coastal thermal imaging or the intricacies of marine biodiversity through eDNA sequencing. By mastering ecological monitoring and nanopore technologies, you'll develop the quantitative skills necessary to validate your own hypotheses. The experience concludes with a formal symposium, providing a high-level academic platform to showcase your fieldwork findings to the broader scientific community.
13. SEES High School Summer Internship – NASA & UT Austin
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: May – August, which includes a learning module from May 19 – July 1, and on-site experience is from July 6 – 19
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are US citizens, aged 16 years or older
In collaboration with NASA scientists and faculty at UT Austin, the SEES Internship invites high school students to move beyond standard coursework and tackle genuine scientific challenges. You join expert-led teams to investigate complex topics like exoplanet discovery or urban heat dynamics, utilizing satellite data to sharpen your Python coding and visualization skills. Whether you collaborate virtually or in person, the experience involves professional-grade data analysis while working under the guidance of researchers. This journey culminates at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, providing you with a strong academic platform to present original research findings to world-class scientists.
14. UC San Diego Research Scholars: (BRIDGE)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3.115
Dates: July 6 – 23
Application Deadline: June 26
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9-12 who have a GPA of 3.3+
Offered by UCSD’s Division of Extended Studies, BRIDGE (Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship) gives high school students a hands-on foundation in entrepreneurship and business strategy. Through case studies, simulations, and real-world frameworks, you will learn to develop and pitch innovation-driven business proposals. You'll gain an understanding of the key components necessary to run a successful business, including capital acquisition, organizational leadership, and value creation for founders and stakeholders. You will develop analytical, strategic, creative, and critical-thinking skills essential to becoming an innovative, opportunity-focused, and entrepreneurial leader.
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