15 Chemistry Research Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
Explore 15 chemistry research programs for high school students in New York City. Enhance your skills and dive into the world of scientific discovery.
If you are a high school student interested in diving into chemistry, research programs can be a great way to explore the field in detail. Chemistry research programs allow you to work alongside real scientists, strengthen your laboratory skills, and explore advanced topics in the field that go far beyond the school curriculum. A structured chemistry research experience can also boost your profile, demonstrating your commitment to learning beyond the classroom and engaging in scientific inquiry.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York City is home to research labs, universities, and STEM organizations that allow high school students to participate in chemistry research. As a participant, you may gain insights into fields like biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and environmental chemistry, allowing you to narrow your focus. You will also learn from experienced mentors, work in professional labs, and present your work to researchers. Whether you are a local student or are travelling to the city, you can find programs that suit your needs.
To help you shortlist the right options, we have listed 15 chemistry research programs for high school students in New York City.
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2%; 20 interns/year
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: February 6; applications open on December 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 14 and up, with at least a 3.5 GPA in science; applicants must be legally able to work in the U.S. and live within 25 miles of MSK in NY, NJ, or CT
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program is an eight-week research-focused experience for high school juniors interested in biomedical sciences. During the program, you will join a Memorial Sloan Kettering research lab and engage in a mentor-guided project. The program’s research areas span various biomedical fields, including chemistry and chemical biology. The program is designed to help you build research skills and learn from experts through professional development events, lab meetings, and lab-based exposure to translational medicine. At the end of the program, you will present your summer work at a poster session.
2. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: Various City University of New York campuses across NYC
Stipend: Varies by campus; typically, ~$1,500 offered for summer research participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size can vary by campus
Application deadline: Varies depending on the campus chosen
Dates: Spring courses + summer research; dates vary by campus
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
The STEM Research Academy is a two-semester program designed for NYC students interested in exploring and contributing to scientific research. During the spring semester, you will take a pre-college course, building research and analytical skills. This is followed by a six-week summer research placement in a laboratory, where you will gain experience conducting experiments and collecting data. You can highlight your preference for chemistry-focused research placements. At the end of the summer, you will present your project at a research exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History and receive a stipend along with mentorship opportunities.
3. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year; cohorts run for about 12 to 15 weeks
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who are previous AI Scholar participants or have some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which 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.
4. NYU’s ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are NYC residents
ARISE is a research program that begins with four weeks of training in lab safety, research skills, and college writing, followed by six weeks of hands-on research in more than 80 NYU labs. The program offers placements across NYU laboratories, including alongside researchers working on research within molecular chemistry, materials chemistry, biochemistry, polymer research, and chemical engineering. In your assigned lab, you will work closely with faculty and researchers on real projects, gaining around 120 hours of lab experience and building lab, teamwork, and public speaking skills. At the end of the program, you will present your work at a colloquium and the AMNH Poster Symposium.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Chemistry Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort: January deadline for Spring cohort, May deadlines for Summer cohorts, September deadlines for Fall cohorts, and November deadline for Winter cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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 chemistry, physics, data science, engineering, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
6. NYU and Simons Foundation’s Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 80 students/year
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are at least 16 and U.S citizens/permanent residents
The Simons‑NYU Science Explorations Program is a residential program designed for students interested in exploring the sciences, including chemistry. During the program, you will get to engage in introductory college-level chemistry coursework and laboratory research. You will also engage in workshops, seminars, and lab experiences to dive into chemistry, biology, neural science, physics, and psychology. The program can help you build lab skills and gain exposure in college academics. The program also offers opportunities to engage in social and cultural activities in NYC.
7. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Multiple U.S. universities and labs, including sites in NYC
Stipend: An educational stipend is offered; exact details not specified
Cohort size: Varies by opportunity
Dates: May–August (6 to 10 weeks); dates vary based on the opportunity
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements can vary for each opportunity
AEOP’s Internships are Army-sponsored research-focused opportunities for high schoolers interested in STEM. Here, you will contribute to active research under the guidance of a university researcher or a Department of Defence scientist. You may run experiments, collect data, analyze data, and/or compare datasets. The sites also engage in chemistry and chemical engineering research, allowing you to dive into chemistry-focused lab work. During the program, you will also have access to workshops, webinars, and learning materials to prepare for future STEM academics.
8. New York Academy of Sciences The Junior Academy
Location: Online (Launchpad platform)
Cost: Free
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two cohorts each year—Fall Challenges: Mid-September – mid-November | Spring Challenges: Mid-February – mid-April
Application deadline: Spring: January 6 | Fall: Deadline TBA
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 to 17, who will not turn 18 during the challenge
The Junior Academy is a virtual STEM program where you can collaborate in international teams to come up with solutions to real problems, including chemistry-focused challenges. The program allows you to engage in scientific problem-solving and connect with a diverse group of peers. As a participant, you will work on Innovation Challenges sponsored by industry partners, receive support from STEM mentors, and develop skills in research. Each challenge starts with a preparatory kick-off week, following which you will join a team, work with experts, and then submit solutions evaluated by professional judges. If you win, you get to present your solutions at the end-of-the-year virtual symposium.
9. Simons Summer Research Program @ Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY (~1.5–2 hours from NYC)
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend (residential students need to pay for housing and dining); stipend is available.
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Students currently in 11th grade, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program is a six-week, fully funded summer experience for high school juniors who are passionate about science, math, or engineering. The program offers research opportunities in chemical sciences, including analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, materials chemistry, and biochemistry, depending on available labs and faculty mentors. As a participant, you will work closely with faculty mentors on hands-on research projects, learn advanced lab techniques, and contribute to the daily work of active research teams. You will attend weekly research talks, participate in skill-building workshops, explore the campus, and take part in events designed to deepen your understanding of STEM pathways. The program ends with a poster symposium where you will present your research findings.
10. BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program
Location: Albert Einstein College of Medicine campus, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,500
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer: Late June – August | Academic year: September – May (weekly commitment on Thursdays)
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older and live in and attend school in the Bronx
The BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program offers high school students practical exposure to biomedical research through a year-round program conducted at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center. During the summer, over the course of eight weeks, you will work full-time in labs, learn scientific techniques, attend seminars led by researchers, faculty, and students, and conduct research. You can indicate your preference for a chemistry- or biochemistry-focused placement. The program continues into the school year with weekly in-person sessions offering research or career guidance and college-readiness support. You will also have opportunities to present your summer research to faculty, gaining experience in scientific communication.
11. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 32 students/year
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 when the program begins
SSRP is a team-based laboratory program for high school students who want to gain scientific research experience. While applying, you can indicate your preference for a chemistry-focused research experience. Over the course of seven weeks, you will join a small research group led by scientists from Rockefeller, MSK, and Weill Cornell, learning lab practices, exploring research questions with peers, and working toward delivering a final team presentation. The program is structured to resemble a real research lab workflow, allowing you to explore what it is like to be a researcher. SSRP also offers access to electives, workshops, and guest speaker-led lectures to help you build research skills and explore paths in research.
12. American Chemical Society’s Project SEED
Location: Various locations, including sites in New York City
Stipend: $4,000
Dates: June – August (8 – 10 weeks)
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course and belong to low-income households (i.e., those with an annual income of ≤300% based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines)
Project SEED, run by the American Chemical Society, is a national summer initiative that helps high school students dive into the field of chemistry through real laboratory research experiences. During the program, you will spend 8–10 weeks working full-time in a university, industry, or government lab, where experienced researchers will mentor you and guide you through authentic scientific investigations. You will learn how to come up with research questions, set up experiments, collect and analyze data, and communicate your findings, gaining hands-on experience in several branches of chemistry. The program also offers career talks, field trips, and college-readiness workshops that introduce you to future academic and career opportunities within the chemical sciences.
13. NYU GSTEM
Location: NYU or other academic institutions in New York City, NY
Cost: $5,750 (tuition) + optional $3,840 (housing and meal expenses); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students/year
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 11th graders with a demonstrated interest in STEM
Hosted by the NYU Courant Institute, GSTEM is a STEM summer research program for high school students. Over the course of six weeks, you will work with a research mentor and contribute to an original research project within their lab or workspace. The program starts with an orientation week, followed by research work. You can work on chemistry-focused research during the program. Additionally, you will go on field trips, attend guest lectures led by women in STEM, and participate in skill-building workshops covering scientific writing and presentation. On Fridays, you will visit NYU to connect with peers and explore NYC’s science and tech landscape.
14. Columbia University Pre-College Program: Intensive Modern Chemistry Laboratory Track
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $6,310 (commuter) | $12,764 (residential)
Dates: June 29 – July 17 (Session 1) | July 21 – August 7 (Session 2)
Application deadline: Early deadline: February 2 | General deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school students; residential program applicants must be at least 16 years old.
Columbia University offers a variety of pre-college courses across disciplines. Its Intensive Modern Chemistry Laboratory track allows you to dive into advanced chemistry topics and learn about current research methods in the field. Here, you will engage in daily seminars, group discussions, and hands-on lab activities focused on chemistry research. Throughout the program, you will learn about the synthetic and analytic aspects of chemistry and its medicinal, environmental, and materials-based applications. Additionally, you will complete a short research project and write and present a scientific paper, gaining experience in experimental work, data analysis, and science communication.
15. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual opportunities available for NYC students
Cost: $25 application fee; waivers available
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old by June 18
ASSIP is an eight-week opportunity to work closely with George Mason faculty mentors on real laboratory projects. You can choose a mentor whose research interests lie in chemistry, chemical analysis, drug development, or environmental chemistry. Alongside your mentor, you will engage in chemistry research while learning how to use advanced laboratory techniques and instruments. You will also develop your scientific writing and communication skills by preparing reports and presenting your findings. Additionally, you will participate in discussions with professionals in research and industry, gaining insights into career paths in STEM.
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