20 Best Computer Science Research Programs for High School Students

If you're a high school student interested in computer science, doing research can be a valuable way to explore the field beyond the classroom. Computer science research for high school students lets you dig into subdomains like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity while building programming and analytical skills in a mentored setting. Many computer science research opportunities for high school students pair you with university faculty or graduate mentors and end with a paper or presentation. To help you get started, we've compiled a list of the 20 best computer science research programs for high school students.

Why should you do computer science research in high school?

Research programs help you build skills that standard courses rarely cover, like designing experiments, analyzing data, and presenting findings to experts. Beyond the technical side, computer science research for high school students signals initiative and genuine passion to college admissions officers. A strong research experience, especially one resulting in a published paper or standout project, can strengthen your application to Ivy League and other top universities. From exploring new trends to building a foundation for future study, CS research can meaningfully sharpen your abilities.

How we selected these programs:

To select and rank the following programs, we used these criteria:

1. Technical Rigor and Reputation: The program's credibility, selectivity, intellectual challenge, and student testimonies, with more technically rigorous programs ranked higher.

2. Resources and Depth of Learning: The opportunities on offer, such as faculty access, mentorship, and whether the program goes beyond just a research component.

3. Accessibility: How open and affordable each program is, including whether it's virtual, how open the application is, and how wallet-friendly it is.

Key takeaways

• Several programs are free, including MIT PRIMES, DSI Summer Lab, Anson L. Clark Scholars, MIT Women's Technology Program, RSI, WYSE Young Scholars, Simons, Stanford SHTEM, Google CSSI, and Princeton LLP and ASPIRE, making this list strong for students seeking no-cost, research-grade CS experience.

• Programs span a wide range of formats, from fully virtual options like Veritas AI and Lumiere to residential university programs (PRIMES, RSI, WYSE Young Scholars, Clark Scholars, MIT WTP) and in-person lab internships (CSIRE, ARISE, UCSB RMP, UCSC SIP, BU RISE), so students can choose based on commitment level and location.

• The most prestigious, highly selective programs on this list are MIT PRIMES (a full year of original research), RSI (under 3% acceptance, widely considered the most selective summer research program in the country), Simons (under 5% acceptance, requires school nomination), and Clark Scholars (only 12 students nationally), all of which carry significant weight with college admissions officers.

• Several programs are hosted at leading research universities and institutions, including MIT, Stanford, Princeton, NYU, Texas Tech, UChicago, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, Stony Brook University, Boston University, the University of Illinois, and Johns Hopkins APL, giving students direct access to faculty mentors and real research labs.

• Students seeking flexible, fully remote research can apply to Veritas AI, which pairs students with mentors from top universities on individual AI projects, or Lumiere, which matches students with PhD mentors for 1-on-1 research across computer science and other subjects, both with rolling, cohort-based admissions throughout the year.

• Deadlines cluster between December and March, with MIT WTP closing December 15, RSI on December 10, Simons in late January/early February, and most other programs in February or March, so students should begin identifying programs in the fall and prioritize the earliest deadlines first.

With that, here’s a list of the 20 best computer science research programs for high school students!

1. MIT PRIMES

Cost: Free.

Location: Hybrid — MIT campus, Cambridge, MA (PRIMES) or remote (PRIMES-USA).

Application Deadline: Applications open in September and close November 30.

Program Dates: The research year runs February through December, with the annual PRIMES conference in mid-October.

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in the U.S. PRIMES requires commuting distance to Greater Boston; PRIMES-USA is open to students elsewhere in the country.

MIT PRIMES is widely considered the gold standard for high school research in theoretical computer science, and one of the hardest programs in the country to get into. Over a full year, you work closely with MIT mentors on an original research project in areas like algorithms, cryptography, and computational theory, often producing a paper and presenting at the annual PRIMES conference. Because it spans a full year rather than a single summer, it rewards real technical depth and self-direction. It's best for students with exceptional ability in computer science and theory who want the most rigorous research experience available.

For more information on MIT’s PRIMES, check out our detailed blog here.

2. Veritas AI

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.

Location: Virtual

Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.

Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 

Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.

3. Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Computer Science and AI Scholars Program

Cost: None
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Application Deadline: TBA, likely early March (based on the previous year’s schedule)
Program Dates: TBA, likely to be in July (based on the previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Applicants must be sophomores in High School for the Computer Science Scholars Track, Seniors for the AI Scholars track

CMU's Pre-College Computer Science and AI Scholars programs combine classroom instruction, hands-on research projects, faculty lectures, and engagement with leading tech companies. In the CS Scholars track, you learn algorithmic concepts, basic data structures, and problem-solving in Python, plus a math course to strengthen your computational skills. The AI Scholars track introduces ongoing research projects and asks you to complete an applied project geared toward social good. Students who complete CS Scholars and want to continue may be invited back as rising seniors for the AI Scholars program the following summer. It's a strong fit if you want structured learning paired with a mentored project you can scale into a passion project.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Computer Science Track

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.

Location: Remote ,  you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and 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. DSI Summer Lab @ the University of Chicago

Cost: No cost; a stipend is provided.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
Application Deadline: January 12.
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7 (8 weeks).
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduate students.

The Data Science Institute Summer Lab program is an immersive eight-week paid summer research program at the University of Chicago. High school and undergraduate students are paired with a data science mentor across domains including computer science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research. You operate as a research assistant throughout, presenting your findings at a closing conference. Some projects connect high school students to the program's social impact track. Pairing this experience with computer science extracurriculars could give your college applications an extra boost.

6. The Anson L.Clark Scholars Program | Texas Tech University

Cost: No cost; a $750 stipend is provided upon completion of a successful research project report.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
Application Deadline: February 16.
Program Dates: June 21 – August 6 (seven weeks).
Eligibility: Must be at least 17 by the program start date and graduating high school the following year or the year after (so you participate the summer before senior year or the summer after graduating). International students are welcome to apply.

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective, intensive seven-week research program for just 12 qualified high schoolers nationwide. Participants reside on campus, work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on their research, and receive a stipend upon completing their final research project report, alongside weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips. The technical depth depends entirely on your assigned project, but the CS track has covered areas like programming languages, data structures and algorithms, computer architecture, software engineering, and operating systems. Here is more on how transformative the program is for participants, and here's some advice on getting in, straight from the Dean. Lastly, here’s some more information on the Anson L. Clark program if you are interested.

7. Research Experience | UCSB Summer Sessions

Cost: $75 application fee + $1,000 enrollment deposit (applied toward tuition) | Commuter total: $5,675 (tuition and program fees) | Residential total: $13,274 (tuition, program fees, plus housing and meals) | A limited number of need-based scholarships are available, with priority given to California residents.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA.
Application Deadline: March 9 (application window opens December 15).
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31 (six weeks in person, preceded by a multi-day virtual component).
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (outstanding 9th graders considered case-by-case) with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA.

In this six-week intensive program, students are paired with a mentor — either a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member — to take part in a specific research project. You'll pick up skills like presenting at a formal university symposium and describing your research in a formal paper, while also earning university credit. CS research topics vary year to year, ranging from developing an open-source pH sensor to monitor ocean acidification, to building a low-rank neural network for multimodal sentiment analysis. You can find rosters of past years' research projects here. This is a great choice if you're looking for a mentored research experience in CS.

8. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Cost: Free, funded by the Pinkerton Foundation; a $2,000 stipend is provided upon successful completion.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY.
Application Deadline: February 27 (applications open January 15).
Program Dates: June 1 – August 14 (10 weeks): four weeks of remote workshops, followed by six weeks of in-person lab work, ending with a colloquium and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools.

The NYU Tandon School of Engineering's Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) is a ten-week, mentored research program for NYC high schoolers. The first four weeks cover safety training, college writing workshops, and research-skills development, after which students spend six weeks working in one of NYU's 80+ research labs, assisting faculty and graduate mentors on real projects. At the end of the program, students present their findings at a colloquium and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History, in front of NYU faculty, academic experts, and their peers and families. ARISE spans disciplines including computer science and engineering, with past projects covering areas like machine learning, cybersecurity, and responsible data science. It's a strong fit for NYC students who want sustained, hands-on lab experience and the chance to build a genuine research portfolio before college.

For more information on the ARISE program, check out our detailed blog here.

9. Computer Science and Informatics Summer Research Experience Program (CSIRE)

Cost: Cost not published on the official page; financial aid has historically been available — confirm current pricing directly with the program.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.
Application Deadline: March 1 (initial decisions March 22; rolling afterward).
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7 (six weeks).
Eligibility: High school students.

Computer Science and Informatics Research Experience (CSIRE) is a summer program offering high school students the chance to participate in real research, held jointly by Stony Brook University's Departments of Biomedical Informatics and Computer Science. Each student works in a lab mentored by a faculty member or PhD student on a research project, with a programming background required to apply. Students also visit labs and attend seminars introducing cutting-edge research in computer science and informatics, presenting their work to peers midway through and at the end of the program. This is a great choice if you're interested in combining CS with healthcare and biology more broadly. You can browse past publications that have resulted from research conducted during the program.

This is a great choice for you if you are interested in combining CS with healthcare and biology in general.

10. Cosmos | UCSC

Cost: $46 application fee + $5,518 tuition (covers course materials, housing, meals, and field trips). Full and partial financial aid available.
Location: UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA.
Application Deadline: February 6 (applications open January 7).
Program Dates: July 5 – August 1 (four weeks).
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th graders (i.e., current 8th–11th graders) who are California residents. Students may attend COSMOS only once.

The California State School for Mathematics and Science at UC Santa Cruz is an intensive four-week residential research program. The program combines a learning component and a research component — students choose one cluster of courses, attend lectures, and develop and present a final research project to their peers at a closing symposium. CS-relevant clusters include Quantum Information Science and Engineering, Video Game Design: From Concept to Code, and Fundamentals of Machine Learning in Robotics. You can see the full list of clusters here.

11. MIT Women's Technology Program

Cost: Free, including housing; free to apply.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Application Deadline: December 15 (teacher reference forms due December 22; application opens mid-October).
Program Dates: June 27 – July 25 (four weeks).
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current high school juniors, attending the summer after 11th grade) with strong math and science grades but little to no prior engineering background. Open only to young women. Note: WTP does not have rolling admissions — decisions are sent mid-to-late March.

This is a 4-week summer academic and residential experience where 60 female high school students explore engineering through hands-on classes taught by female MIT graduate students. This program entails more structured learning and classes than independent research, and is aimed at students with little to no prior experience. Students choose between Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or Mechanical Engineering (ME), with the EECS track teaching Python from scratch and giving you a strong kickstart into computer science. You can find the curriculum here. This program is a great choice for representation in tech and networking with leading female industry professionals.

12. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)

Cost: Free.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA (residential).
Application Deadline: Applications open in October and close on December 10.
Program Dates: June 28 – August 8 (six weeks).
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (i.e., current juniors, applying mid-junior year). U.S. citizens and permanent residents apply directly; international applicants apply through their country's participating selection agency.

RSI is widely regarded as the single most prestigious summer research program for high school students in the world, admitting roughly 100 students from about 3,100 applicants each year. The first week is intensive STEM coursework, followed by five weeks of mentored, original research with MIT and Boston-area researchers across fields including computer science, math, and engineering. With an acceptance rate under 3%, RSI is more selective than every Ivy League undergraduate program. It's best for students with exceptional academic records who want the most prestigious fully funded research credential available.

For more information on the RSI program, check out our detailed blog here.

13. WYSE Young Scholars Summer Research Program — University of Illinois

Cost: Free, apart from transportation to and from campus. Housing, meals, and a monetary award are provided.
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL (residential).
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on an annual cycle; check the official Young Scholars application page for the current deadline.
Program Dates: June 17 – July 31 (six weeks, with in-person orientation starting mid-June).
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

WYSE Young Scholars is a free, six-week residential research program where students work 30–35 hours a week alongside faculty, postdocs, and graduate students on authentic research in fields including artificial intelligence, electrical engineering, and quantum mechanics. Students are placed into a research group based on their application and recent coursework, and the program ends with a poster presentation at a closing symposium. Because it's fully funded and built specifically as a Broadening Participation initiative, it's a strong option for students who want a genuinely free, immersive university research experience focused on access. It's a great fit for students in the Midwest who want hands-on lab work outside the usual MIT/Stanford circuit.

For more information on the Young Scholars Summer Research program, check out our detailed blog here.

14. Simons Summer Research Program — Stony Brook University

Cost: Free; a stipend is provided.
Location: Stony Brook University, NY.
Application Deadline: School nomination by January 30; student application by February 5.
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7 (six weeks).
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 by the start date. Must be nominated by their school (maximum two students per school).

Simons is one of the most selective research programs in the country, with an acceptance rate under 5%. Fellows are matched with a Stony Brook faculty mentor and join an active research group, taking ownership of a project in fields including computer science, engineering, and computational biology. The school-nomination requirement and tiny cohort are part of what make this such a respected, free research credential. The program ends with a written abstract and a poster symposium.

For more information on the Simons Summer Research program, check out our detailed blog here.

15. Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship

Cost: Unpaid; one-time $95 application fee (nonrefundable). A small commuting stipend may be available for select students; financial hardship can be flagged in the application. Housing not provided.
Location: In-person at Stanford University, CA.
Application Deadline: February 1.
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14 (eight weeks).
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 by the start date. U.S. citizens or permanent residents only.

SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is a selective, interdisciplinary research internship that pairs you with Stanford faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. Rather than focusing only on traditional CS topics, SHTEM highlights how computing and information science interact with human behavior, communication, and creativity, including the ethics of AI. Students work in a small collaborative group for 20–30 hours a week and present their findings at the end. It's a strong fit for students who want genuine Stanford-mentored research at the intersection of CS and humanities.

For more information on the SHTEM Summer Internship, check out our detailed blog here.

16. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)

Cost: Free; tuition and meals/housing support are fully covered.
Location: In-person at Google offices across the U.S. (including Mountain View, CA; New York, NY; Cambridge, MA; Seattle, WA; and Chicago, IL) or online, depending on track.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January/February and close in the spring; decisions announced by May.
Program Dates: Three weeks, typically June through August.
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors planning to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program in CS or a related field. Priority given to students from groups historically underrepresented in tech.

Google's CSSI is a free, three-week introduction to computer science hosted directly at Google offices, designed for incoming college freshmen rather than current underclassmen. Students get hands-on instruction in Python, web development, and algorithms, taught and mentored directly by Google engineers, closing with a team project demo day. Because it's run by one of the world's most influential tech companies and is highly competitive despite requiring no prior CS experience, it's considered a prestigious bridge credential, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds. It's best suited for graduating seniors who already know they're heading into a CS-related major.

17. Boston University RISE (Research in Science & Engineering)

Cost: Tuition-based (limited need-based financial aid available, plus the BU IMPACTS Scholarship); residential cost runs roughly $8,500–$9,500 for six weeks.
Location: Boston University, MA (residential or commuter).
Application Deadline: February 4 (recommendations due February 11).
Program Dates: June 28/29 – August 7 (six weeks).
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current juniors) who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents only — international students are not eligible.

BU RISE places high school seniors into real Boston University research labs through two tracks: an Internship (individual faculty-lab placement) or a Practicum (team-based computational projects). Students work on authentic research under faculty and graduate-student mentorship and present at the end of the program. With a competitive cohort of only around 130, admission itself signals research readiness rather than just participation. It's a strong pick for seniors who want a traditional, lab-based CS experience.

18. UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program (SIP)

Cost: $68 non-refundable application fee, plus program tuition and fees (housing/transportation if applicable). Need-based financial aid available, covering 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of program fees and related costs.
Location: UC Santa Cruz, CA (commuter or residential).
Application Deadline: February 27 (academic reference due March 6).
Program Dates: June 15 – August 8 (eight weeks: one online research week, followed by seven weeks in person).
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–17 for the duration of the program (some projects require at least 16). Students who will have graduated high school by that summer are generally ineligible.

SIP pairs students with UCSC faculty, graduate, and postdoctoral mentors on real research projects spanning machine learning, data science, and engineering. Its eight-week format gives students deeper immersion than most summer programs, with real mentorship rather than a structured curriculum. Students present their work at a closing symposium. It's a strong choice for students who want extended, hands-on lab experience and exposure to how computer science applies across scientific fields.

19. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)

Cost: Free
Location: Princeton University, NJ
Application Deadline: Mid-February through mid-March (specific 2026 window: February 15 – March 15).
Program Dates: Five to six weeks over the summer, schedule varies by lab/department.
Eligibility: At least 16 by June 15 (high school graduates who haven't yet turned 18 by June 15 may also apply). Must be U.S. citizens currently attending a local high school near Princeton; green cards, EAD, and permanent residency cards are not accepted. Local housing/transportation is required and verified during the application process — no exceptions.

LLP is a free, hands-on research program where New Jersey high schoolers work in Princeton University labs alongside faculty and researchers, including in engineering and computer science. Because it's free and hosted at an Ivy League institution, it's genuinely competitive, but for local students it removes the cost barrier entirely. It's best for students who want real research immersion close to home.

For more information on the Princeton LLP program, check out our detailed blog here.

20. ASPIRE — Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Cost: Free; unpaid internship.
Location: In-person at APL in Laurel, Maryland; some virtual/hybrid placements possible depending on mentor.
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15 (recommendations due March 1).
Program Dates: Late June through late August; students in good standing may continue into the academic year by mentor agreement.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, high school juniors or seniors, minimum 2.8 GPA, residing in the Washington–Baltimore metro area (applies even to virtual placements).

ASPIRE is a free STEM mentorship internship at the renowned Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where students work with engineers and scientists on real technical projects in fields like cybersecurity, robotics, and engineering. Because it's restricted to the DMV region, it functions as a standout regional opportunity, giving nearby students access to professional-grade applied research that's hard to find elsewhere.

For more information on ASPIRE, check out our detailed blog here.

Frequently asked questions

What types of computer science research programs are available for high school students?

Options include independent, year-long research (MIT PRIMES), elite free summer residentials (RSI, Simons, WYSE Young Scholars, Clark Scholars), online mentorship programs (Veritas AI, Lumiere), university lab internships (CSIRE, ARISE, UCSB RMP, UCSC SIP, BU RISE), interdisciplinary research (Stanford SHTEM), and free regional government-lab internships (Princeton LLP, JHU APL ASPIRE). They span subdomains including artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and theoretical computer science.

Are there free computer science research programs for high school students?

Yes, several are free or fully funded. MIT PRIMES, RSI, Simons, Princeton LLP, and JHU APL ASPIRE are entirely free, several with a stipend on completion. WYSE Young Scholars and MIT WTP are free aside from transportation. DSI Summer Lab and Clark Scholars are free with a stipend. Stanford SHTEM and Google CSSI are free apart from a small application fee. Programs like Veritas AI and Lumiere vary by program type but offer full financial aid, and UCSB RMP, UCSC SIP, and BU RISE offer need-based aid as well.

Which CS research programs are most prestigious or selective?

MIT PRIMES is widely considered the gold standard for high school research in theoretical computer science. RSI is regarded as the single most selective summer research program in the world, admitting roughly 100 students from about 3,100 applicants. Simons accepts fewer than 5% of nominated applicants, and Clark Scholars admits just 12 students nationally each year. All four are free and carry significant weight with top university admissions committees.

Which programs are best for students interested in AI, data science, or interdisciplinary research?

Veritas AI and Lumiere both offer dedicated AI and data science research tracks with 1-on-1 mentorship, and are two of the most accessible ways to start independent CS research without needing a university affiliation. WYSE Young Scholars includes artificial intelligence among its research areas. Stanford SHTEM connects computer science to human-centered fields like ethics, communication, and design. UCSB RMP and UCSC SIP both place students in labs working on machine learning and data science projects.

Do these programs accept international students?

Most are limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, including RSI (which has a separate international application pathway through partner countries), Simons, WYSE Young Scholars, Stanford SHTEM, BU RISE, and Princeton LLP and JHU APL ASPIRE (U.S. citizens only). Clark Scholars is one of the few that welcomes international applicants. Fully virtual programs like Veritas AI and Lumiere are open to students anywhere in the world.

When should I apply to computer science research programs for high school students?

Many of the most competitive programs close earliest. MIT WTP closes December 15 and RSI closes December 10. Simons closes in late January to early February, and Stanford SHTEM and BU RISE close in early February. Clark Scholars closes February 16, ARISE closes February 27, and Princeton LLP and JHU APL run February through mid-March. Veritas AI and Lumiere run rolling, cohort-based admissions throughout the year. Students should begin researching in the fall and apply to December and January deadline programs well before winter break.