10 Spring Research Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student who wants to go beyond coursework, research programs are a solid option that provide direct exposure to practical skills and industry experience. These programs allow you to build valuable connections with professional mentors while exploring fields such as mathematics, the humanities, computer science, and more. This early involvement helps you understand professional standards and stand out in the university application process.
What are the benefits of a Spring research program?
Spring research programs provide the flexibility to attend school while working on high-level academic projects. You’ll typically engage in rigorous work such as assisting in laboratory experiments, conducting literature reviews, or performing data analysis. These experiences can help you develop research, analytical, and academic writing skills while gaining a deeper understanding of your chosen field.
To help with your decision, here’s a list of 10 spring research programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. The Met High School Spring Internship
Location: The Met, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: February – May
Application Deadline: October 27
Eligibility: NYC high school sophomores and juniors
This spring program offers a rare opportunity for students to work within the departments of one of the world's leading cultural institutions. While often associated with art history, the program includes roles in curatorial, social media, education, imaging, design, and more. You might learn how the museum preserves historical objects, or assist with scholarly research in curatorial departments. The program includes Teen Fridays, where you participate in professional development workshops and networking events with museum professionals. It concludes with the Teens Take The Met event, allowing you to showcase your projects to the public.
2. Veritas AI's AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with Python
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about AI with a supportive environment 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. TheAI 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. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Partners for the Future
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: September – March
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
This spring research program provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct laboratory research under the guidance of CSHL scientists. You spend a minimum of 10 hours per week in the lab working on projects related to cancer biology, neuroscience, or plant genetics. The program emphasizes the development of independent research skills and a deep understanding of molecular biology. At the end of the school year, you’ll present your results in a formal symposium for faculty and families.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
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.
5. MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores in Greater Boston
MIT PRIMES is a year-long research program where high school students work on unsolved problems in mathematics, computer science, and computational biology. During the spring phase, you’ll engage in an advanced reading period followed by active research mentored by MIT graduate students and postdocs. You meet weekly for 1.5 hours to discuss progress and the theoretical foundations of your assigned projects. At the end, you compile your results into a research paper and present them at a conference in the fall.
6. Rockefeller University Jumpstart Program
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Stipend: $500 (spring portion); $3,250 (summer program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 students
Dates: February 26 – June 11 (spring sessions); June 22 – August 6 (summer program)
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) enrolled in an NYC public high school
Jumpstart has two phases: a spring research component followed by Rockefeller’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP). During the spring portion, you meet twice a week after school to master foundational laboratory techniques in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry. The curriculum is designed to move you from passive learning to active inquiry through wet-lab experiments and literature reviews. You work in a collaborative environment mentored by Rockefeller scientists to prepare for an intensive independent summer project.
7. American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~60 students
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: NYC high school sophomores and juniors. You can find additional requirements here.
SRMP pairs high school students with museum scientists to work on year-long, authentic research projects in departments such as Astrophysics, Anthropology, or Paleontology. After a summer session, you’ll work in a group of 2-3 students and continue your work for at least four hours per week. You learn to handle rare specimens, use specialized software for data modeling, and apply laboratory techniques relevant to your specific field. The program concludes in June with a formal symposium where you present your research findings to the museum community.
8. New York Academy of Sciences Junior Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: February – May
Application Deadline: January 13 for the spring semester
Eligibility: Students aged 13–17
The Junior Academy is an international research program where high school students solve real-world challenges through challenge-based research. You’ll be placed on global teams and matched with professional mentors to develop solutions for issues like sustainability, public health, and urban infrastructure. You’ll conduct literature reviews, develop prototypes, and write research proposals. The program culminates in a final project submission that is reviewed by a panel of expert judges.
9. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) ASPIRE Academic Year Program
Location: Virtual/Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <10%
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (15+) who are U.S. citizens, with a minimum 2.8 GPA, and who live in one of these counties
The ASPIRE program is a structured research program designed for high school students who want sustained exposure to STEM work in a professional setting. You’ll be paired with a staff mentor and contribute to technical projects that require independent problem-solving, consistent communication, and adaptability. The academic year format extends your work during the summer through a part-time format, balancing project responsibilities with school commitments. The program culminates in a formal poster presentation, in which you document your methods, progress, and outcomes in a research-focused format.
10. Adler Planetarium Far Horizons Teens
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Chicago high school students
Far Horizons Teens is a hands-on program where you contribute to real-world space and environmental science research. Currently, the program focuses on Project LEAF in the Dark, a long-term study investigating the impact of light pollution on the seasonal cycles of local trees. You work alongside professional researchers and astronomers to collect data, build scientific payloads, and analyze findings using advanced tools. It offers a unique mix of field research, laboratory engineering, and public communication within a museum setting.
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