10 Best AI Research Programs for High School Students in New York (NY)
Research programs for high school students offer real-world learning, exposure to professional environments, and the chance to build valuable connections with mentors and peers. Many top colleges and organizations run accessible opportunities that give students an authentic taste of academic and industry research.
Participating in research can be especially exciting and rewarding for students in New York interested in artificial intelligence and related fields. It’s a chance to see how AI is changing the world — and to contribute to that future.
To help you get started, we've narrowed down the 10 best AI research programs for high schoolers in New York!
1. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000
Application Deadline: January 24
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders in the summertime; over the age of 14 by the start of the program; possesses math/computer skills
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program introducing high school students to artificial intelligence through lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentorship. You’ll dive into real-world topics like Robotics, Computer Vision, Medical AI, and Natural Language Processing, guided by Stanford AI Lab professionals. Through hands-on learning, you’ll work on projects showing how AI research can address societal challenges.
Career development workshops and mentorship activities can help you envision your future in tech. You’ll also build friendships with peers who share your passion for AI. The program offers a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge research while developing critical technical and problem-solving skills.
2. Veritas AI Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
The AI Internship Program offered by Veritas AI is led by Harvard alumni. Over the course of eight weeks, participants collaborate with venture-backed startups on hands-on AI and machine learning projects. Interns are mentored by professionals from top institutions and companies, including Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey & Company, among others.
This program is ideal for students who already have experience in AI/ML and are eager to gain practical, real-world insights into careers in the field. Participants have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, engage closely with startup executives, and, upon completion, receive a formal letter of recognition from their host company. You can find more information about the program here and submit your application here.
3. TECH360: Intro to AI
Location: America on Tech (New York City)
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: May 25
Dates:
Cycle 1: June 30 – July 17
Cycle 2: July 28 – August 14
Demo Day: August 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors currently attending a New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/ Broward County, or Atlanta high school
TECH360: Intro to AI by AOT is a program where you’ll dive into the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on society. You’ll explore how generative and predictive AI models are developed, learning core ideas from data science and machine learning. Through discussions, workshops, and a final group project, you’ll strengthen your ability to use AI tools effectively and ethically.
You’ll also gain insights into how AI research continues to disrupt industries and create new opportunities. The program culminates in a pitch presentation judged by a panel of experts. It’s designed to equip you with both technical understanding and real-world application skills.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starting at $2,990
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic experience designed specifically for high school students. It offers personalized, one-on-one research opportunities across a wide variety of fields. Participants are matched with Ph.D. mentors to collaborate on independent research projects.
Over 12 weeks, students work toward creating a complete research paper. Research topics span disciplines such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. Full details about the application process can be found here.
5. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Cohort Size: 25
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students entering 9-12 grade in the Fall; over the age of 14 by the start of the program; strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
You can explore the future of healthcare at Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship. Over two weeks, you’ll dive into the technical and clinical aspects of artificial intelligence in medicine through live lectures, hands-on group research, and mentoring sessions. You’ll also attend career talks from leaders in academia, industry, and government.
The program highlights how AI research drives advancements in healthcare and health equity. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion; some may pursue extended research opportunities. It’s a good chance to connect your interest in technology with real-world medical innovation.
6. NYU Machine Learning Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Cost: $3,050
Application Deadline: May 15
Dates:
Session 1: June 16 – June 27
Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: Current 9th - graduating 12th graders; ages 15 and above
The NYU Tandon Machine Learning Program is a hands-on summer experience where you’ll dive into AI and machine learning fundamentals. You’ll explore topics like data analysis, computer science, and mathematical modeling through real-world projects and problem-solving activities.
From voice-controlled homes to cutting-edge medical diagnostics, you’ll see how research drives innovation in daily life. Guided by expert instructors, you'll develop programming, logic, and data interpretation skills. The program emphasizes the role of machine learning research in advancing technologies we use every day.
7. NYU IDEA Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Cost: Varies based on partnership package
Application Deadline: TBD
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Current 9th - graduating 12th graders; ages 15 and above
At NYU’s IDEA Program, you’ll experience how artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship connect to solve real-world challenges. You’ll study the fundamentals of AI, review case studies, and research how emerging technologies are changing public services. Through team-based project development, you’ll move from ideation to building solutions.
The program also shows how AI research translates into impactful products and services. IDEA provides you with both technical knowledge and entrepreneurial insight, laying the groundwork for innovation and leadership in the tech space.
8. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Currently in junior year of high school (11th grade); at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program provides academically talented high school students the opportunity to conduct research at Stony Brook University. Fellows are paired with faculty mentors and work on innovative projects, including using deep generative modeling and machine learning to design robotic systems.
You’ll engage in lab work, attend research talks, and participate in project-based learning activities. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings through a research abstract and a formal poster presentation. A stipend and participation certificate are awarded at the end of the program.
9. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Stipend: $1,000
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 18
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in the upcoming school year
ARISE at NYU provides high school students with hands-on experience in STEM fields. Over 10 weeks, you’ll begin by building foundational skills in lab safety, writing, and research design.
Then, you will spend six weeks in an NYU lab, working on projects in areas such as computer science, machine learning, AI, and more, gaining nearly 120 hours of lab experience. You'll develop soft skills like public speaking and professional networking. At the program’s end, you'll present your findings at a colloquium and a public symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
10. Columbia University Academic Year Weekend Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,810 per session
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: August 27 (Fall cohort)
Dates:
Spring: January 18 – March 23
Fall: September 19 – December 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
The Columbia Academic Year Weekend Program offers high school students an immersive online experience in fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Through the Technology Track, you can learn Python coding, explore machine learning algorithms, and understand the real-world impact of data science research. Student life activities and virtual college-readiness events complement classes.
You’ll also have the chance to join virtual clubs or mentorship groups to expand your network. This program can help build a strong foundation if you're passionate about research and technological innovation.