10 Chemistry Research Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you are a high school student interested in chemistry, research programs can help you explore scientific questions beyond what you encounter in the classroom. These programs often involve working with faculty members or researchers, analyzing experimental data, reviewing scientific literature, and developing research or technical writing skills. Participating in research early can deepen your understanding of chemistry while preparing you for future study in fields such as chemical engineering, biochemistry, materials science, or medicine.
Why should you attend a program in New York State?
New York State is home to major universities, research hospitals, and scientific institutes that offer research opportunities for high school students. Through these programs, you may contribute to laboratory research, explore interdisciplinary fields such as chemical biology or materials science, and learn how scientific investigations are conducted in professional settings. These opportunities are especially accessible for students living in the state, though some programs also welcome participants from other locations.
To help you navigate options, we’ve narrowed things down to 10 chemistry research programs for high school students in New York State.
If you’re looking for research programs in New York State, check out our blog here.
1. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free. A $1,000 stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are residents of New York
This is a free 10-week research program that places you directly in an active NYU lab and lets you contribute to real research projects. You work alongside faculty members, graduate students, and researchers in areas that can include chemistry-adjacent fields like molecular bioengineering or materials-focused research. Rather than just observing, you actively assist with experiments, data collection, or computational analysis, depending on your lab. The program also includes structured workshops on college applications and academic planning, which many students find useful. At the end of the summer, you present your work at a formal poster symposium.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. Must have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI focuses on providing a supportive environment for high school students passionate about AI 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. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Location: MSK Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free. $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2% acceptance rate; 20 interns
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors living near campus with a strong science GPA
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program is an eight‑week, full‑time research internship in a professional cancer research hospital. High school students are placed in MSK research labs and work under the supervision of a mentor, participating in ongoing biomedical projects and routine lab activities. Students attend lab meetings and structured educational sessions alongside their research duties. The program is not focused solely on chemistry, but projects may touch on chemical biology, pharmacology, or areas where chemical principles inform experimental work. Professional development workshops are included to provide context on careers in clinical and translational research.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Chemistry Track
Location: Remote; you can participate from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Varies as per program; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 12.5%
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
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. 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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. ACS Project SEED
Location: Various locations across New York State and virtual options
Cost/Stipend: Free. Minimum $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 350 students annually
Dates: 8–10 weeks in June – July/August
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Economically disadvantaged high school students with chemistry coursework
Project SEED provides a paid summer research experience in chemistry. You work in a professional lab at a university, industry, or nonprofit organization. Mentors guide you through lab techniques, data analysis, and research ethics. The program also includes workshops and seminars for academic development. You complete a research report at the end. This is one of the more accessible chemistry research programs for eligible high school students in New York State.
6. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: New York, NY
Stipend/Cost: Free to attend; no cost for participants
Application Deadline: January 2
Dates: Summer (June 22 – August 6)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (must be at least 16 years old at program start)
SSRP is a laboratory‑based summer research program where high school students work within small research teams under the guidance of scientists and trainees from Rockefeller University and affiliated institutions. Over seven weeks, students are involved in ongoing biomedical research projects, gaining experience in laboratory work, data collection, and scientific inquiry. While the program is not dedicated solely to chemistry, many research tasks involve fundamental chemical skills that support experimental work across disciplines. The program also includes elective courses, guest lectures, and culminates in a symposium where students present their findings. SSRP is structured to reflect actual research workflows and offers insight into how scientific questions are investigated in a lab environment.
7. Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (residential option costs $2,450)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Current 11th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 16+
This is a full-time summer research program where you join an active research group. You conduct hands-on research under close faculty mentorship, often working alongside graduate students. Chemistry is one of several available research areas, along with physics and neurobiology. The program includes training workshops and lab tours in addition to research time. You present your findings in a formal poster session at the end.
8. NYU GSTEM Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current 11th graders
GSTEM is a six-week research experience focused on applied STEM problem-solving. You work with a professor or researcher on a defined project in areas that include chemistry and environmental science. The program emphasizes experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You also gain exposure to tools like Python and MATLAB for research analysis. Mentorship is a core component, with additional focus on supporting women in STEM. This program can serve as a bridge between classroom chemistry and college-level research.
9. Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces – Research Experience
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $4,000 laboratory usage fees + additional fees (tentative)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 24 – August 7
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with strong academic and coursework requirements
This seven-week program immerses you in polymer chemistry and materials science research. You work on an original research project under faculty supervision, often in a team setting. Topics can include polymer synthesis, nanocomposites, and graphene-based materials. You learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and communicate results. There is also an option to continue research year-round through a mentor program.
10. Columbia University State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Summer: July 6 – July 31; Academic year: To be announced
Application Deadline: Summer: April 15; Academic year: November 1
Eligibility: Economically disadvantaged New York State residents in Grades 7–12
S-PREP is a long-term enrichment program with a strong emphasis on chemistry, physics, and medicine. You take structured academic courses in subjects like calculus, chemistry, and biology rather than conducting short-term lab research. The program also includes standardized test preparation and career-focused workshops. Because it spans both summer and academic-year components, it emphasizes sustained academic growth. This structure can be helpful if you want to strengthen your foundation before doing advanced research later.
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