10 Computer Science Research Programs for High School Students in California

For high school students in California interested in coding, data, or innovation, completing a research project can be a good idea. There are several computer science research programs for high school students in California that offer more than just classroom learning, giving you the chance to do the science yourself. Whether you're interested in AI in medicine, data science, engineering, or environmental tech, these programs pair you with researchers and advanced tools to explore questions in the field. 

To help you get started, we’ve compiled 10 computer science research programs for high school students in California!

1. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)

Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Free (non-research track); $1,500 (with research project)
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students in grades 10–12. Students from other areas will be considered if they have summer housing accommodations

At REHS, you’ll dedicate eight weeks to working on a research project at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. This program provides practical experience in computational science, including hypothesis development, experiment design, and result analysis. You’ll work with peers in small teams, participate in lab meetings, and receive mentorship from UCSD mentors and graduate researchers. Additionally, you’ll develop a scientific poster that summarizes your project and highlights your key learnings. This is one of the more technical computer science research programs for high school students in California, especially for those interested in computational problem-solving.

2. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students; the AI Fellowship Program requires completion of the AI Scholars program or prior Python experience

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. 

3. UCSB Research Mentorship Program (RMP)

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter) | $12,474 (residential)
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders with a minimum 3.8 academic weighted GPA

RMP is an intensive computer science research program for high school students in California that offers an introduction to university-level research across a wide range of disciplines. You will be matched with a mentor, such as a faculty member, postdoc, or graduate student, to collaborate on a hands-on research project in fields such as biology, engineering, global studies, or astrophysics. The program begins with a virtual orientation that covers key research tools and practices, followed by in-person lab or fieldwork. By the end, you'll have written a formal research paper and presented your findings at a student symposium.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
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: 

• 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 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 psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

5. Stanford AI4ALL

Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000 (need-based financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically 30 students
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders who are over the age of 14 by the start of the program. Students with maths/computer science skills will be prioritized

Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online computer science research program for high school students in California, where you'll explore core topics in artificial intelligence through lectures, research, and mentorship. With support from Stanford AI Lab researchers, you'll work on real-world projects in areas like robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing. In addition to technical learning, you'll participate in workshops on AI ethics, career pathways, and the broader role of AI in shaping the future.

6. Berkeley Lab Director’s Apprenticeship Program (BLDAP)

Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 60 students per cohort
Dates: June 17 – 25
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Public school students in the 10th and 11th grade who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program.

The Director’s Apprenticeship Program at Berkeley Lab introduces you to interdisciplinary research in machine learning, data science, and STEM more broadly through a mix of hands-on projects and professional mentorship. You'll take part in coding lessons, short research projects, and weekly discussions with scientists working across areas like bioscience, energy, and computing. A core part of the program is its emphasis on developing research skills, including problem-solving, collaboration, and communication, while also helping you establish connections within the scientific community. Students who complete the program are invited to attend additional workshops and may return the following year for an in-person internship.

7. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee (scholarships available; application fee can be waived)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 25 students are accepted
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are over 14 years old. Students with strong computer science, math, and/or biology backgrounds are preferred.

This is one of the more specialized computer science research programs for high school students in California, offering a focused look into AI’s growing role in medicine. The program combines lectures, mentoring, and hands-on project work, focusing on real-world problems in medical AI. You’ll work in groups to solve open-ended challenges with minimal guidance, developing both technical skills and research experience. By the end of the program, you’ll present your group project and receive a certificate of completion.

8. The Coding School Summer Research Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Scholarships are available for students with financial needs
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders and recent high school graduates

This computer science research program for high school students in California introduces you to college-level data science through hands-on training and guided research experience with Columbia University faculty and PhD researchers. In the first two weeks, you'll build foundational skills in R programming, data visualization, cleaning, and analysis. During the final three weeks, you’ll apply those skills by contributing to ongoing research projects led by graduate researchers. Topics vary from year to year but often connect to healthcare, economics, or social sciences. You’ll also learn how to formally present your findings through research pitches and presentations, receiving feedback from faculty throughout the process.

9. UCSD Mentor Assistance Program (MAP)

Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $1,000 (financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: October 1 – May 31
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Southern California residents in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade who are at least 16 years old, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75, and are college-bound

The UCSD Mentor Assistance Program (MAP) is a computer science research program for high school students in California that connects you with a university mentor for a self-directed research experience during the academic year. Over eight months, you’ll meet regularly with your mentor to explore a subject area in depth through guided readings, lab visits, or project-based work. Whether you’re refining a science fair project, developing a research idea from scratch, or just exploring a field like computer science or pharmacology, your mentor can help shape your approach through ongoing feedback and discussion.

10. Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Student Research Internship Program 

Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old with an interest in genomics or mHealth translational research

For high school students in California interested in computer science research related to healthcare and genomics, the Scripps Research Translational Institute provides an internship centered on translational science. During the program, you'll examine how genetics, mobile health technologies, and data analysis advance personalized medicine. You will collaborate with a mentor to design and carry out an independent research project. Additionally, the internship includes weekly seminars and training in communicating scientific findings via presentations and posters.