15 Computer Science Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you're a high school student in Texas interested in computer science, joining a research program can be a smart way to explore the field without committing to an expensive pre-college course. Computer science research programs for high school students in Texas offer exposure to skills like programming, data analysis, and technical writing, all while helping you connect with mentors and researchers in academic or professional settings. These programs often emphasise collaboration, curiosity, and creativity, making them a solid option for students who want more than just theory.
Many are hosted by top universities or supported by national organisations, and several come with low or no cost, especially for in-state students. You don’t need to be a coding expert to apply, just motivated and open to learning. If you're considering a future in tech, keep reading.
We’ve rounded up 15 of the best computer science research programs for high school students in Texas to help you find the right fit.
15 Computer Science Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee. There is a $750 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students are accepted
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Gifted high school juniors and seniors (the average SAT score of accepted participants is typically in the 99th percentile)
The Clark Scholars Program is an intensive computer science research program for high school students in Texas that places you alongside Texas Tech faculty. Over seven weeks, you’re expected to engage in research, participate in seminars, and explore topics beyond your school curriculum. The structure is flexible, allowing you to shape your research path based on academic goals and faculty mentorship. Weekly discussions and field trips round out the experience, but the primary focus remains on your work in the lab or academic department.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Motivated high school students. The Fellowship track requires prior knowledge of Python or completion of the AI Scholars track
Veritas AI offers research-based computer science programs for high school students focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning. In the 10-week AI Scholars program, you’ll work in small groups to explore Python, neural networks, natural language processing, and tools like TensorFlow through guided projects in areas like medicine, climate science, and public health. If you’re more advanced, the AI Fellowship provides a 1:1 mentorship model where you'll build a unique research project over 12–15 weeks, often resulting in a formal presentation or paper. In both tracks, you'll gain exposure to key technical frameworks like scikit-learn and pandas, while also learning how to think critically about AI's role in society.
3. UTD’s Intensive Research Internship in CS Labs
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $1,000 (discounts available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program has limited capacity
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications open January 1
Eligibility: Students completing the 10th or 11th grade are preferred; in-person attendees need to be at least 16 years old
If you're ready to move beyond basic programming and explore what research looks like, UTD’s computer science research program for high school students in Texas provides a structured experience where you'll work on projects such as simulations, app development, or reading and analysing technical papers. Each lab sets its own expectations and selects participants based on readiness, making the experience both challenging and tailored to the research environment. You’ll also have a chance to present your work, receive a certificate, and earn awards/special certificates if your project stands out.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive, one-on-one mentorship opportunity where you’ll collaborate with a Ph.D. researcher to produce an independent research paper. The program supports a wide range of computer science research areas, including machine learning, cybersecurity, algorithm design, and tech ethics. You can also create your own research topic if it’s not already available. You’ll work directly with a scholar from a top university, develop a research question, and follow through with original analysis and writing.
5. Rice University’s Digital Health Young Scholars Program
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 9 – 26
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students from select Houston area schools
This computer science research program for high school students in Texas centres on medical applications, giving you exposure to how code powers modern diagnostic and monitoring tools. You’ll explore how computer science, digital design, and embedded systems intersect with healthcare technology. The curriculum introduces core concepts through projects using sensors, GPS modules, and Tiny Circuits to build a basic wearable device. Your work will reflect the foundational steps of digital health research: designing, coding, and testing systems with relevance.
6. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: Hybrid/on-site at the University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: None; need-based travel scholarships are available for in-person interns
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%
Dates: Distance learning modules from May 19 – July 1, followed by on-site internships at UT from July 6 – 19. Virtual internships take place between June – July 19
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program, have a strong interest in STEM, and are U.S. citizens
SEES introduces you to data-driven Earth science through the lens of NASA-supported research, with projects that often rely on coding, data visualisation, and satellite image interpretation. You’ll start with remote modules and virtual mentoring, followed by an in-person component at UT Austin, where you'll collaborate with scientists working on topics like remote sensing, geodesy, and mission planning. Your work may involve programming tasks like scripting for data cleaning or visualisation, especially when handling NASA satellite data. Every project culminates in a presentation at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, where you share your team’s findings with peers and mentors.
7. National High School Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Data Science: $3,995 (100 full scholarships + $750 stipend for eligible students); Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence: $3,995 + $1,000 for the self-study component (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is a competitive admissions process
Dates: July 7 – Aug 8 (Data Science); June 23 – July 25 (Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders and rising college freshmen. No prerequisites for Data Science; students interested in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence will have to either complete a self-study course, complete a TCS course, or have prior knowledge
If you're curious about how computer science applies to fields like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, or big data, this computer science research program for high school students in Texas gives you a structured way to explore them. You’ll learn how to conduct research at a college level while building core skills in data wrangling, algorithm design, and tech ethics. During the first half, you focus on intensive technical training. After that, you apply your skills to a problem through an independent research project developed under the mentorship of industry or academic professionals. Many participants work with real datasets and use programming tools to visualise results or train models.
8. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Weekly stipend of $501.60
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information isn’t available, but there is a competitive admissions process
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in or accepted to an educational institution who are at least 16 years old. A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is recommended
At the AFRL Scholars Program, you’ll work directly with scientists and engineers on applied STEM research in a professional lab setting. Depending on your placement, your project may involve programming, algorithm development, or data modelling as part of broader efforts in areas like cybersecurity, autonomous systems, or aerospace tech. This is one of the few computer science research programs for high school students in Texas that places you inside a defence research environment, with expectations aligned to real technical contributions. You’ll be expected to document your work in a formal technical report and, in some cases, present your research at a poster session or to a research team.
9. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 (application fee) + $850. Waivers and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students are accepted
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28 (February 21 for fee waivers and scholarships)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old with math and/or computer programming skills
The AIMI Summer Research Internship introduces you to the role of artificial intelligence in modern healthcare, blending foundational instruction with applied research. Over two weeks, you’ll participate in technical lectures, group work sessions, and mentoring activities that explore how machine learning and data science intersect with clinical problems. The experience includes research in small teams, where you may work on tasks like training models or analysing medical datasets under the guidance of Stanford researchers. A follow-up independent research opportunity may be available if you’re interested in continuing beyond the core program.
10. Summer Research Program with Columbia University
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders and recent high school graduates
This virtual computer science research program for high school students in Texas immerses you in the full research cycle, from learning data science fundamentals to applying them in live university projects. The program starts with technical training in R, where you’ll work on skills like web scraping, data wrangling, and visualisation before stepping into your role as a research assistant. During the second half, you’ll collaborate with PhD students and professors at Columbia’s Data Science Institute, contributing to ongoing research with real-world datasets. You’ll also learn how to communicate findings through structured presentations and consistent feedback from faculty.
11. Summer High School Research Academy
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is not available
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who live in Texas and are at least 15 years old
At HSRA, you’ll join a UT Austin research lab for five weeks and contribute to active work in fields like genome engineering, neuroscience, or data analytics. This computer science research program for high school students in Texas offers the chance to apply coding or statistical skills to biological and environmental problems. Apart from lab work, you’ll also complete written reflections, attend faculty-led seminars, and present your findings at a research symposium. Each lab determines its own schedule, but most students spend 15 to 25 hours a week with their research teams.
12. NASA Internship Programs
Location: Virtual/NASA centres nationwide
Stipend: Most students receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4–6%
Dates: Fall (late August – mid-December), Spring (mid-January – early May), Summer (late May – August)
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16; Spring: September 12; Summer: February 27
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old at the time of application, have a cumulative 3.0/4.0 GPA, and are U.S. citizens
Through NASA’s OSTEM internship program, you can contribute to projects that span aerospace engineering, planetary science, computer systems, and data analysis. These internships place you alongside professional researchers and engineers at NASA centres, where your tasks may involve coding, modelling, or supporting technical systems, depending on your team’s focus. Internships vary in schedule and structure, but all include mentorship and training components designed to build long-term skills.
13. UT Computer Science Academies: Academy for All
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: None (travel scholarships for up to $500 are available if needed)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is not available
Dates: Standard edition: July 6 – 12; Machine Learning Edition: July 27 – August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11 and 12
UT Austin’s Academy for All introduces you to both foundational and emerging areas in computer science, depending on the track you choose. In the Standard Edition, you’ll work with C++ to program Arduino microcontrollers, giving you experience in embedded systems and hardware-focused development. The Machine Learning Edition shifts the focus to Python and model training, where you’ll implement algorithms and explore the real-world implications of AI. Both tracks emphasise collaborative project work, technical communication, and exposure to the broader tech landscape through guest lectures and campus exploration.
14. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
Location: Various locations nationwide
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Internships take place in the summer (specific dates vary by internship and lab)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in high school. Individual internships may have specific eligibility requirements
As an AEOP intern, you’ll spend part of your summer conducting research in a university or U.S. Army lab, guided by professional scientists or engineers. Projects vary by site, but many involve programming, systems analysis, or data modelling, making this a practical option if you're exploring computer science research programs for high school students in Texas. You’ll learn how to navigate a functioning lab environment, apply technical skills to problems, and collaborate with experienced STEM professionals. In addition to lab work, AEOP offers access to career-focused workshops, master classes, and one-on-one coaching through its Learning Hub.
15. MITRE Summer Programs
Location: Various locations nationwide
Stipend: Students receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is unavailable
Dates: 8–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school students
MITRE offers high school students a chance to engage with complex, real-world problems in areas like cybersecurity, robotics, and systems engineering. As an intern, you’ll contribute to public interest research, often involving programming, data analysis, or modelling tools, depending on your assigned project. While not limited to computer science, many roles involve direct technical work in government or public safety–oriented applications. You’ll work in MITRE labs, attend mentoring sessions, and collaborate with other students and professionals to build both technical and communication skills.