15 Computer Science Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you're a high school student looking to explore computer science before committing to it in college, a structured research opportunity can be a good option to explore. These programs often combine coding, research, or lab work with mentor guidance, helping you build skills, gain exposure to new material, and develop connections. Whether your interests lie in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computational biology, or software engineering, these opportunities can help you test out a specialization before deciding to pursue it further.
What are the benefits of computer science research in high school?
Computer science research can help you strengthen skills in programming, data analysis, and problem-solving while getting a real sense of how research actually works. Depending on the opportunity you choose, you could work on a project in machine learning, cybersecurity, or computational biology, often alongside university faculty or industry mentors. Many programs also give you the chance to present your findings through a research paper, poster, or symposium, helping you build confidence as a researcher.
To help you find the right opportunity, we've narrowed down 15 computer science summer research opportunities for high school students.
If you’re looking for STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These opportunities span AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, computational biology, software engineering, data science, and earth science, so students with a wide range of interests within computer science can find a relevant research program.
Several programs are free and offer stipends, including NYU ARISE ($2,000), Microsoft Discovery ($20/hour), Fred Hutch Coding for Cancer ($1,000), and NIST Research (unpaid but free), while others, such as Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars and CMU AI Scholars, are fully funded with no tuition cost.
Several programs are explicitly beginner-friendly, including Fred Hutch Coding for Cancer, which is structured for students with little to no prior coding experience, and Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars, which provides foundational computer science instruction alongside research exposure.
Application deadlines range from December (RSI) to May (NYU CS4CS, New York Historical Tech Scholars), with most programs closing between January and March, so students should identify target programs in the fall and begin preparing materials early.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer (varies yearly)
Application deadline: Typically early- to mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors; more information here
Research Science Institute (RSI) is a free, six-week program for high school students. It begins with a week of STEM-focused classes taught by experienced professors. Over the next five weeks, students conduct intensive research, reading advanced texts and journal articles while developing a detailed research plan. They work on individual projects and receive mentorship from researchers and scientists. The program ends with students presenting their findings through written reports and oral presentations based on their research projects.
2. Veritas AI's AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts 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.
3. Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; financial need must be demonstrated
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores. Minimum age: 16 years; Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars is a four-week college-level course for high school students. You will have the opportunity to work on hands-on projects, attend faculty lectures, and explore the field of computer science in-depth. The program is fully funded and allows you to develop technical skills and receive mentorship and guidance from a range of professionals, including researchers, faculty members, and staff. You will work on solving real-world challenges while also attending weekly seminars focused on college preparation. The program concludes in a final symposium presentation.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote; you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort.
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. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University, New York/Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $2,000 stipend is paid
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11, living in and attending school in New York City
NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) is a ten-week free summer program for high school students. The program enables you to participate in a thorough learning experience, perform research, and gain essential research training. During the first four weeks of the program, you will attend college writing workshops, engage in safety training, along with the development of research skills. The remaining six weeks will focus on working on real-world projects in NYU laboratories and assisting the faculty. You will have the opportunity to present your work at the Colloquium to the NYU community and the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Poster Symposium.
6. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Coding For Cancer
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $1,000
Dates: July 27 – August 21
Application deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th grade students; preference for Washington State residents
Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Coding For Cancer introduces you to the computational tools and programming languages used in modern cancer research. You will learn to write code in the R programming language and environment, using it to process, analyze, and visualize biological datasets. Through live online sessions, you will interact with computational biologists at Fred Hutch to learn how data science accelerates medical discoveries. The curriculum is specifically structured to support students with little to no prior coding or computing experience. Upon successful completion of all program requirements and coding assignments, you will earn a $1,000 stipend.
7. Carnegie Mellon University: AI Scholars (AIS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors), at least 16 by start date, U.S. citizens or DACA/permanent residents.
Carnegie Mellon University: AI Scholars (AIS) is a free, merit-based program where you will examine core concepts in artificial intelligence and computer science through faculty lectures and team-based technical projects. Working in small groups, you will apply computational tools and machine learning principles to solve real-world technical problems under the direct mentorship of Carnegie Mellon faculty. You will also participate in industry-focused sessions that expose you to practical applications of artificial intelligence in modern technology sectors. Weekly college readiness seminars will guide you through the university admissions process, financial aid options, and strategies for maintaining personal well-being.
8. NIST Research
Location: Boulder, CO, and Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship
Dates: 7 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: 11th-12th grade High school students, or those recently graduated, must be US citizens
NIST Research offers a multidisciplinary research learning experience to high school students. You will have the opportunity to work at one of the six laboratories, including the Information Technology Laboratory, Communications Technology Laboratory, Engineering Laboratory, Material Measurement Laboratory, NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), and Physical Measurement Laboratory. Through the Communications Technology Laboratory, you will engage in meaningful research on areas such as wireless networking, public safety communications, and radio frequency advanced technologies. You will also gain practical experience with scientific instrumentation, experimental design, and technical data collection.
9. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft Offices in Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; A USD 20/hour stipend is paid
Dates: July 10 – August 4
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors living and attending high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or living and attending high school around Atlanta, Georgia
Designed for graduating high school seniors, this four-week paid internship introduces you to core career pathways within the tech industry. You will work on collaborative, hands-on projects while receiving direct mentorship from professional Microsoft employees. The curriculum covers foundational principles in software engineering, user experience (UX) design, and project management methodologies. You will practice real-world workplace skills, learn how cross-functional product teams build software, and cultivate a growth mindset.
10. NYU Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th grade High school students living in NYC and specific New Jersey and Nassau County areas
In this four-week intensive program, you will build foundational skills in computer science and digital security on NYU's urban campus. You will explore technical focus areas such as cryptography, digital forensics, network defense, and security-oriented scripting languages. The curriculum uses hands-on Capture The Flag (CTF) coding challenges and academic research modules to teach you how cybersecurity professionals detect and mitigate threats. You will also participate in unique theater-based communication workshops designed to enhance your public speaking and teamwork capabilities. Industry professionals and university mentors will guide you through technical exercises and discuss educational pathways in tech.
11. New York Historical Tech Scholars
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: Grade 9th-12th NYC area high school students living in the New York City metro area (including the five boroughs of NYC, as well as areas of New York state, Connecticut, and New Jersey)
This week-long summer program allows you to explore the intersection of digital technology, media production, and historical research. Working alongside museum curators and technical staff, you will research notable historical figures, artists, and civic movements to create student-led digital media products. Depending on your track, you will build web design projects, produce podcasts, or construct digital assets for temporary exhibitions. You will practice primary source analysis, digital storytelling, and media curation in a collaborative group setting.
12. NASA & UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Virtual with final two weeks in-person at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies each year; more information here
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, U.S. citizens; Minimum age: 16 years
NASA & UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program offers a STEM-focused research opportunity to high school students. You will have the opportunity to work on projects in a range of areas, including data analysis and Earth science, while receiving mentorship and guidance from subject matter experts and researchers. You will work in collaboration with teams, analyze large datasets, and conduct field investigation work. The program will allow you to learn and apply programming tools, attend virtual sessions on climate research and remote sensing, and participate in an online symposium to share your work with others.
13. UCSD’s Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: Virtual and University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,000; full and partial need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Southern California residents in grades 10th–12th with a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA. More information here
UCSD’s Research Experience for High School Students (REHS) offers you an eight-week volunteering opportunity. The program will allow you to work on an ongoing research project, participate in lab meetings, and engage in group discussions. You will learn how scientists formulate hypotheses, execute computational trials, and draw evidence-based conclusions from complex datasets. Throughout the summer, you will work alongside research staff to translate your findings into a professional scientific poster. The program culminates in a campus showcase event where you will present your final research project and discuss your future academic goals.
14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $1,299 + $25 application fee; fee waivers available
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15 and older
George Mason University's Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is an eight-week full-time learning opportunity for high school students. Depending on your project assignment, you will explore focus areas such as software engineering, cybersecurity, computer simulations, human-computer interaction, and data modeling. You will work alongside university researchers, participating in team meetings, technical forums, and structured career development sessions. The curriculum helps you build practical skills in technical writing, scientific communication, and creative problem-solving. Additionally, you will earn three college credits while building a portfolio of scientific work.
15. miRcore Advanced Computational Biology (ACB) Camp
Location: Virtual or University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: In-person: $875; Virtual: $610; partial scholarships available; $75 application fee
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grade 8 – 12 students
During this one-week camp, you will use the R programming language and RStudio environment to conduct computational biology research on real cancer datasets. You will analyze microRNA sequencing data sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to categorize tissue samples and identify potential cancer biomarkers. Guided by instructors and teaching assistants, you will write scripts to process big data and generate publication-quality scientific charts. The curriculum combines statistics, genetics, and computer programming to show you how data science is applied to clinical oncology questions.
Frequently asked questions
1. What computer science summer research opportunities are available for high school students?
Options include university research programs, such as RSI at MIT, NYU ARISE, UCSD REHS, and ASSIP at George Mason, AI and machine learning programs, such as Veritas AI Fellowship, CMU AI Scholars, and Lumiere Research Scholar Program, cybersecurity programs, such as NYU CS4CS, computational biology programs, such as Fred Hutch Coding for Cancer and miRcore ACB Camp, and industry programs, such as Microsoft Discovery Program.
2. Are there free computer science research programs for high school students?
Yes, RSI at MIT, Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars, CMU AI Scholars, NYU ARISE, NYU CS4CS, NIST Research, NASA SEES, and New York Historical Tech Scholars are all free. Several also provide stipends, including NYU ARISE ($2,000) and Microsoft Discovery ($20/hour). Veritas AI Fellowship and Lumiere Research Scholar Program offer need-based financial aid.
3. Which programs are best for students with little to no prior coding experience?
Fred Hutch Coding for Cancer is explicitly designed for students with no prior coding background and teaches R programming from scratch. NYU CS4CS also builds foundational skills in cybersecurity and scripting for students new to the field. Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars and ASSIP at George Mason are also accessible entry points for students earlier in their computer science journey.
4. When should I apply to computer science summer research opportunities for high school students?
The earliest deadline is RSI at MIT (early to mid-December), followed by NIST Research (January 26), Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars and CMU AI Scholars (February 1), and NYU ARISE (February 27). Later deadlines include UCSD REHS (March 15), NYU CS4CS (May 15), and New York Historical Tech Scholars (May 17). Students should begin identifying programs and preparing materials in the fall semester.