15 Chemistry Research Opportunities for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in chemistry, research could be a great option for you to consider. A chemistry research program gives you the chance to learn about the subject, letting you move beyond the classroom to test theories, design experiments, and see science in action. These experiences not only sharpen practical lab skills but also build confidence in working with advanced concepts that prepare you for future college-level coursework. Many of these opportunities are offered by prestigious universities, labs, and organisations, giving you the chance to learn from experts in the field while forming connections that could guide your academic and career path. For students passionate about chemistry or curious about exploring related fields, these programs are a good way to take the first step into serious scientific research. 

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 chemistry research opportunities for high school students worth considering.

1. MIT’s Research Science Institute

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students per cohort
Dates: June 22–August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors worldwide

Each summer, the Research Science Institute at MIT brings together high school students from around the world for a rigorous program combining advanced coursework with independent research. You will begin with a week of seminars on current developments in STEM before transitioning to a five-week research internship guided by experienced mentors. Within chemistry, you could pursue research topics such as computational modelling of chemical systems or experimental work in organic synthesis. Throughout this chemistry research opportunity for high school students, you will have access to MIT’s resources, including scientific databases and high-performance computing, while also participating in evening lectures led by leading scientists and innovators. The program concludes with written and oral presentations of your project, designed to match the standards of professional conferences.

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).

Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).

Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you can conduct in-depth academic research remotely with a PhD mentor. The program runs for about 12 weeks, during which you will choose a subject area—such as chemistry, computer science, or economics—and develop a university-style research paper. For students leaning toward chemistry, projects might examine areas like renewable energy storage, nanomaterials, or reaction kinetics, depending on your personal interests. Meetings with your mentor are held regularly to provide detailed feedback on your progress, helping you refine your research approach and writing. The program also allows you to earn optional college credit through UC San Diego, and many students choose to submit their papers to journals or competitions.

3. Texas Tech University - Anson L. Clark Scholars Program 

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost: No cost; a stipend of $750 is provided
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date

The Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer experience where you engage in intensive, faculty-guided research across disciplines such as science, engineering, medicine, humanities, and fine arts. As a participant, you will attend seminars, discussions, and field trips while spending most of your time developing an independent research project. You can select topics such as molecular interactions, material synthesis, or biochemistry and work closely with your mentor to carry out experiments. This chemistry research opportunity for high school students emphasises one-on-one guidance, which allows you to strengthen both your technical and analytical skills. In addition to academic work, there are varied social activities, and you conclude the program by submitting a research report. 

4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on program type. Full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.

Horizon’s Academic Research Program is a trimester-long opportunity where you will work closely with a professor or PhD mentor to produce an in-depth research paper. The program offers both quantitative and qualitative approaches, allowing you to shape your project depending on your academic goals. If chemistry is your focus, you might choose to study applied areas like chemical engineering, sustainable materials, or the role of chemistry in environmental science. Over the course of the program, you will write and revise a paper of around 20 pages with ongoing feedback from your mentor. Students are encouraged to prepare their work for submission to academic journals, and the program also provides recommendation letters to support future academic goals.

5. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: In-person and hybrid at George Mason University, VA (virtual/remote opportunities are also available)

Cost: $25 application fee

Acceptance rate: Selective

Dates: June 18 – August 8

Application deadline: February 2

Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18 for the remote internships and for the in-person/hybrid internships with computer labs; Wet-lab in-person/hybrid internships require you to be at least 16 years old by June 18

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University is an eight-week, full-time research internship where you will collaborate with faculty mentors on projects. As a participant, you will gain experience in laboratories that span fields such as molecular medicine, bioinformatics, forensic science, and chemistry. Students interested in chemistry may focus on areas like drug development, chemical analysis, or environmental chemistry while using advanced laboratory instruments and methods. In addition to research, the program places emphasis on scientific writing and communication, giving you the chance to prepare reports or presentations on your work. You will also join discussions about STEM career paths and meet professionals working in research and industry.

6. American Chemical Society Project SEED Program

Location: Varies based on lab choice, check here 

Cost: Free; a stipend of $4000 is awarded 

Dates: 8-10 weeks, June–August

Application deadline: April 14

Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, with one completed high school chemistry course (preference is given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size)

The ACS Project SEED program gives you the chance to spend 8 to 10 weeks working in a professional laboratory under the guidance of an academic or industry scientist. Designed for high school students from economically disadvantaged or historically underrepresented backgrounds, this chemistry research opportunity for high school students provides a stipend along with research experience in chemistry and related fields. Depending on your placement, you may explore projects in organic synthesis, biochemistry, materials development, or pharmaceutical research. In addition to lab work, you can participate in virtual enrichment camps that introduce you to lab safety, professional development, and pathways in chemistry-related careers.

7. Simons Summer Research Program 

Location: Stony Brook University campus, NY
Cost: Fully funded; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 8%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents 

The Simons Summer Research Program allows you to spend the summer working in a research group at Stony Brook University under the guidance of faculty mentors. Simons Fellows join a lab team, gain experience with advanced equipment, and take on a defined project in fields such as biology, physics, or chemistry. Students with chemistry interests may explore topics like catalysis, environmental chemistry, or molecular structure while learning standard laboratory techniques. Throughout the program, you will also attend weekly faculty talks, workshops, and research tours that expose you to different scientific perspectives. The program concludes with the preparation of a written abstract and a poster presentation, and all participants receive a stipend in recognition of their work.

8. University of Chicago’s After School Matters STEM Lab Internship

Location: Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, IL
Cost: None; stipend $16.60/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: May 23
Eligibility: Chicago Public Schools high school students who are at least 16 years old

If you are a student in Chicago Public Schools, the STEM Lab Internship at the University of Chicago offers a six-week opportunity to experience research within a university setting. The program begins with a week-long bootcamp where you will learn about lab safety, scientific inquiry, and the basics of conducting experiments. For the remainder of the program, you will spend about 20 hours each week working in the labs of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering under the mentorship of faculty and research staff. Alongside lab work, you will practice science communication, present your findings in formal settings, and receive comprehensive support for college applications in this chemistry research opportunity for high school students.

9. University of Pennsylvania’s Chemistry Research Academy

Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA
Cost: Free for eligible public and charter high school students within the School District of Philadelphia, through the Penn Summer Scholarship program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 5 – 26
Application deadline: February 15 (Tentative)
Eligibility: Current 10th to 11th graders who have completed at least one year of high school chemistry

Penn’s Chemistry Research Academy is a residential summer program where you will learn core chemical concepts while also being introduced to research taking place within the university. Roughly half of your time is spent in the lab practising methods such as spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and synthetic optimisation, while the rest is devoted to lectures, discussions, and journal-based learning. Faculty and graduate students give talks on their current work, which may involve topics such as nanoscale materials, chemical protein modification, or rare earth elements. You will also visit laboratories and facilities like the Singh Centre for Nanomaterials and the Science History Institute to gain exposure to different aspects of chemical research. This chemistry research opportunity for high school students concludes with a capstone project where you design a proposal for independent research.

10. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: No cost; $1000 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents

The ARISE program at NYU is a free 10-week summer opportunity where you will begin with training in lab safety, research skills, and academic writing before moving into six weeks of research. You are placed in one of more than 80 university labs, working alongside faculty and graduate mentors on projects in varied STEM areas, including topics within chemistry, depending on mentor availability. The program also covers skill-building through public speaking practice, networking opportunities, and group workshops that prepare you for future academic paths. At the end of the summer, you will present your research at a symposium hosted by the American Museum of Natural History. Participants also receive a $1,000 stipend and continued mentorship opportunities beyond the program.

9. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Summer High School Intern Program

Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, Maryland, or Boulder, Colorado
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks starting the second or third week of June
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are U.S. citizens

Through the NIST Summer High School Intern Program, you will spend eight weeks working alongside federal scientists in one of NIST’s six research laboratories. The program connects you with labs such as the Materials Measurement Laboratory or the Physical Measurement Laboratory, where projects focus on areas like polymers, chemical forensics, nanomaterials, or renewable energy systems. Depending on your placement, your responsibilities may involve conducting experiments, analyzing data, or helping refine measurement techniques that industries rely on for accuracy and safety. The program is full-time and provides you with exposure to the type of research that informs national standards and advances new technologies.

10. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)

Location: Fremont, CA
Cost: $0 – $1,070 (For students who meet financial need eligibility criteria, there is no cost to attending ASDRP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer, Autumn, and Spring sessions
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students in 9th-12th grade; no prior research experience required

The ASDRP program, based in the Bay Area, gives high school students the chance to design and carry out research projects across multiple STEM fields. Instead of working on pre-designed labs, you will create your own research question and address it with support from experienced mentors in fields like chemistry, biology, computer science, and engineering. If you choose a chemistry project, you might investigate new materials, study reaction mechanisms, or explore applications in energy and medicine. Research takes place in ASDRP’s own labs, where you will also practice reading scientific literature, writing formal reports, and participating in mock peer reviews. At the end of the program, you will present your work at a symposium, and some students go on to publish their findings or submit them to conferences.

11. Boston Leadership Institute – Chemistry Research Program

Location: Gann Academy/Bentley University, Waltham, MA
Cost: $2,500 tuition + $2,097 (housing)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive selection process
Dates: June 30 – July 18
Application deadline: May
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12 with strong academic records

At the Boston Leadership Institute’s Chemistry Research Program, you will focus on the growing field of green chemistry, which emphasises reducing harmful byproducts in chemical processes across agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and industry. Over the course of the program, you will explore how chemists redesign materials and products to improve sustainability while also studying the impact of toxic substances on human health and the environment. Guided lab activities introduce you to the full process of scientific investigation, from reviewing background literature to setting up experiments with proper controls and replicating results for reliability. This competitive chemistry research opportunity for high school students is designed to let motivated students understand how chemistry intersects with environmental and medical fields.

12. Chemistry Scholars – Illinois Institute of Technology

Location: Mies Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: Overnight: $6,500 | Daytime: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: July 7–August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders who have taken at least one chemistry course in high school

The Chemistry Scholars program at Illinois Tech is part of the Elevate College Prep initiative, which introduces middle and high school students to hands-on STEM experiences. As a participant, you will work directly with faculty and student mentors in a university setting, where your projects may include lab-based chemistry activities that highlight sustainability, materials science, or chemical analysis. The program is designed to give you exposure to experimental techniques rather than relying only on classroom lectures. In addition to the academic component, students receive a certificate of completion and may qualify for an Edge Award—a $500 scholarship applied toward undergraduate tuition if they later enrol at Illinois Tech. 

13. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter: $5,175 | Residential: $12,474
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students in 10th and 11th grades with a minimum 3.8 GPA (exceptional 9th-grade students may be admitted on a case-by-case basis)

The Research Mentorship Program at UC Santa Barbara pairs you with a faculty member, postdoc, or graduate mentor to complete a six-week research project in a chosen discipline. Before beginning on-campus research, you will participate in an online orientation that introduces you to the program and helps you connect with your mentor. Once in the lab, you will dedicate 35 to 50 hours per week to research, which may include fieldwork, data collection, or experiments, depending on your project. Students also get to attend the GRIT lecture series to hear from UCSB researchers. Over the course of the program, you will prepare a technical paper, present at an academic symposium, and earn UC Santa Barbara credits that become part of your transcript.

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