15 Data Science Research Opportunities for High School Seniors

If you are a high school senior considering a future in data science, structured research in the field can help you move beyond classroom exercises and explore the kinds of questions professionals tackle every day. Structured data science research programs let you analyze biomedical records, build machine learning models, study climate or public policy data, test algorithms, or use statistics to uncover patterns in complex datasets. These experiences can strengthen your technical ability while showing you how data is collected, cleaned, interpreted, and communicated within real research environments. Many of these opportunities are often offered by well-known academic and research institutions, allowing you to work with skilled mentors, explore professional-grade tools, and form connections across data science, academia, and industry.

What are the benefits of doing data science research as a senior in high school?

A research experience can sharpen your programming, statistical reasoning, data visualization, critical thinking, and scientific writing skills before you begin college. You will also learn how to form a research question, select suitable methods, work through imperfect results, and explain your conclusions without overstating what the evidence shows. Depending on the opportunity, you could explore medical AI, computational biology, aerospace systems, cybersecurity, environmental monitoring, social science, or public health. Some programs place you within an established lab team, while others allow you to design an independent project and produce a paper, poster, model, or formal presentation. 

Here are 15 data science research opportunities for high school seniors to help you get started. 

If you’re looking for STEM research programs, check out our blog here.

Key takeaways

• These 15 opportunities span biomedical informatics, machine learning, aerospace data science, computational biology, environmental monitoring, cybersecurity, and social science analytics, so seniors with a wide range of data science interests can find a relevant option in person or online.

• Several programs are free or paid, including UChicago DSI Summer Lab ($5,600 stipend), SEAP ($4,000 to $4,500), NLM DSI Scholars (stipend provided), AFRL Scholars (~$506 per week), Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research ($500 per week), and JHU ASPIRE (free), while Veritas AI and Lumiere offer full financial aid.

• Programs vary significantly in length and format, from eight-week lab placements, such as SEAP and NLM DSI Scholars, to 15-week independent research projects, such as Veritas AI and AI Fellowship, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.

• Application deadlines for the most competitive programs fall early, including SEAP (November 1), NIST SHIP (January 26), NLM DSI Scholars (February 18), and JHU ASPIRE (February 15), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.

1. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX

Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 12 students/year

Dates: June 21 – August 6

Application deadline: February 16

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 17 by the start date

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a selective research program that pairs high schoolers with faculty mentors to spend seven weeks engaging in research. Placements typically span STEM fields, with past projects also including data science research. A data-focused project might center on applied statistics, artificial intelligence, computational analysis, modeling, or another question that relies on quantitative evidence. You will spend your days working on a research problem in depth, living on a university campus, and producing work that reflects sustained investigation. Seminars, discussions, and enrichment activities will help you place your research within broader academic and professional contexts. The experience concludes with a formal report, giving you practice in presenting a clear argument supported by methods and evidence.

2. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; full financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Vary by cohort: Summer, Spring, Fall, and Winter

Application deadline: Summer (May), Spring (January), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.

Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python

Veritas AI offers high school students passionate about AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. In theAI Fellowship program, you will learn about core AI concepts and pursue independent AI research projects focused on the use of AI. You will work on your projects over 15 weeks under the guidance of a mentor. A highlight of this program is the support of its in-house publication team that can help you publish your work in high school research journals. You can find a few examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.

3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

Location: Various locations across the U.S.

Stipend: Typically, $506.80/week; some sites offer bigger stipends + travel coverage (check details here)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive

Dates: 8 – 12 weeks in the summer, fall, or spring; most opportunities are available in the summer from late May/early June to August.

Application deadline: January 10

Eligibility: Upper-level high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old, preferably with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 

The AFRL Scholars Program places you alongside scientists and engineers working on applied research connected to aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, materials, computing, and space technology. Your daily work may involve analyzing datasets, supporting simulations, writing or testing code, assisting with experimental design, or organizing technical findings for a larger team. Projects contribute to active laboratory work, meaning you will see how data-driven decisions influence complex systems with real operational constraints. A research mentor will guide you throughout and introduce you to fundamentals like documentation, professional communication, problem-solving skills, and work expectations within a federal laboratory. Depending on the project, you may gain exposure to data science or computational work focused on engineering, artificial intelligence, modeling, signal processing, and aerospace systems. 

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote!  You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.

Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Varies by cohort: fall, summer, spring, and winter. Available options range from 12 weeks to one year.

Application deadline: Varies based on cohort

Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school who demonstrate strong academic performance

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous program tailored for high school students. It offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a broad range of subjects that you can explore as a high school student. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on a research project. At the end, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose from areas such as computer science, data science, engineering, math, psychology, international relations, physics, chemistry, economics, and more. You can learn more about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.

5. University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab

Location: University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, Chicago, IL

Cost/Stipend: No cost; $5,600 stipend

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; 22 students in the last cohort (the number can vary each year)

Dates: June 15 – August 7

Application deadline: January 12

Eligibility: Undergraduate students and Chicago-area high school students; familiarity with programming languages and coursework in statistics, computer science, and math is preferred.

The University of Chicago’s DSI Summer Lab places you within an active research group working on questions across data science, computing, public policy, health, climate, social science, or related fields. You will spend eight weeks working closely with a mentor and contributing to a defined project while learning how researchers organize data, select methods, document decisions, and collaborate across disciplines. Cohort activities and near-peer mentoring will help you compare approaches, troubleshoot challenges, and understand the collaborative nature of computational research. Guest speakers and professional development sessions will add context on research careers, communication, and the broader impact of applied data science. You will also practice communicating your work through videos, which will be presented at a symposium at the end of the eight-week program. 

6. NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program

Location: National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD

Stipend: Available; amount varies based on education level (check details here)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: 8 – 12 weeks starting in June (dates are flexible)

Application Deadline: February 18

Eligibility: High school seniors (ages 17 and up) or college students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, who have completed coursework in data science, informatics, mathematics, computer science, or related fields; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents.

The NLM Data Science and Informatics Scholars Program introduces you to computational research at the intersection of health, biology, and information science. You will join a research group and work closely with a mentor on a project focused on biomedical datasets, informatics methods, computational biology, or analytical tools used to address medical questions. The program offers opportunities for both technical contribution and scientific communication, so you will learn how to explain why a method was chosen and what the results actually mean. Seminars and workshops will broaden your understanding of research careers while strengthening skills such as responsible data use, literature review, collaboration, and professional presentation. Regular interaction with researchers will help you see how computational work supports discovery across clinical and biological settings. You will also prepare research findings for poster-style presentations, gaining experience answering questions and discussing your work with a scientific audience.

7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Location: Department of the Navy labs across the U.S.

Stipend: $4,000 for first-time participants | $4,500 for returning participants

Cohort size: 300 students/year

Dates: Eight weeks in the summer (option to extend up to 10 weeks)

Application deadline: November 1

Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least the 9th grade and are 16+ by program start and U.S. citizens; graduating seniors are eligible.

SEAP gives students the opportunity to work in a Department of the Navy research laboratory on science and engineering projects under the guidance of professional researchers. Over eight weeks, you will participate in lab-based research while gaining exposure to how large government research teams operate. Your daily work may involve data analysis, software tasks, modeling, simulation, or computational problem-solving used in naval research settings. The program emphasizes professional development, offering you access to seminars, meetings, and shadowing opportunities. You will also gain exposure to lab practices and technical communication throughout the program.

8. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)

Location: NIST labs at Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10.4% acceptance rate; 35 students in the past cohort

Dates: June 22 – August 7

Application deadline: January 26

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0+ who are U.S. citizens living within 50 miles of either of the two NIST campuses.

NIST’s SHIP is a seven-week program that lets you contribute to research focused on measurement, technology, computing, and scientific standards while working with scientists. You can choose from placements connected to machine learning, cybersecurity, data mining, software reliability, cryptography, computer forensics, or wireless systems to engage in data science-focused work. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include coding, data mining, data preservation, organizing research data, documenting experiments, or supporting a larger technical investigation. At the end of seven weeks, you will showcase your research work in the form of a poster.

9. LEAH Knox: Data Science & Biomedical Research Internship

Location: Sites in Cambridge and Boston, MA, including MIT, Cambridge, MA

Stipend: Up to $2,250 in the summer | Up to $2,000 during the school year

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: July – August

Application deadline: January – March

Eligibility: Boston-area public school students, ages 16+ and up, in grades 10 – 12

The LEAH Knox program combines biomedical research, computational training, mentorship, and college preparation through a multi-stage experience. You will engage in laboratory work, learning research techniques, and using data to investigate biological or medical questions. As you advance in the program, you will move from guided skill-building into a placement where you can apply learned skills to a real project. Ongoing mentorship will offer you access to professionals who can explain research careers, academic pathways, and the daily realities of working in STEM. Events like lab visits and career panels during the school year will reinforce your learning and offer exposure to different scientific environments. 

10. Berkeley Lab’s Experiences in Research

Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA

Stipend: $500/week

Acceptance rate: ~10%

Dates: June 15 – July 24

Application deadline: March 22

Eligibility: 10th – 12th graders, ages 16 and up, with a 3.0+ GPA living in Northern California 

Berkeley Lab’s Experiences in Research is a STEM research opportunity for high school seniors, with placements in data science-focused work such as coding, analysis, experimental research, data communication, or technical operations. You will work on a project that reflects your interests and contribute to tasks designed by professionals in a national laboratory. You may spend your time organizing research data, developing scripts, assisting with computational analysis, or supporting projects that combine collection and interpretation. Workshops and peer activities will help you build teamwork, professional communication, and problem-solving skills and explore how research groups function. By working with Berkeley Lab mentors, you will gain a practical view of the different roles that support large scientific projects. 

11. Johns Hopkins University’s ASPIRE

Location: Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel, MD

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate: 10%

Dates: June 23 – August 21

Application deadline: February 15

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, ages 15 and up, with a minimum 2.8 GPA; applicants must be U.S. citizens and reside in D.C. or eligible Maryland and Virginia counties

The ASPIRE Program places you in a professional applied-research environment at JHU APL, where you will complete a technical project under the guidance of an APL staff mentor. Based on your placement, the work may involve data analysis, coding, algorithm development, machine learning, cybersecurity, systems analysis, engineering, or another data-intensive area. You will work closely with your mentor throughout, gaining exposure to professional environment expectations and technical project work. The experience can also help you explore how data science supports larger systems in fields where performance, reliability, and security matter. 

12. Saturday Academy Apprenticeships in STEAM Exploration (ASE)

Location: Portland, Corvallis, and other Oregon/SW Washington locations, depending on mentor placement

Stipend: Up to $1,500 available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~75 – 130 placements/year

Dates: Typically, eight weeks in the summer

Application deadline: March 6

Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders who can commute to the internship locations (usually in the Portland-Metro area and the Albany/Corvallis/Eugene areas)

Saturday Academy’s ASE connects you with a mentor-designed project in computing, data science, engineering, environmental science, biomedical research, or another technical field. Data science placements may involve working with databases, modeling, signal processing, environmental monitoring, developing apps, or analyzing research data. Each apprenticeship is built around a host organization’s actual needs, so the tools and methods you use will be tied to a practical objective. You may write code, test systems, organize information, review technical literature, or create a tool that supports the mentor’s broader work. Program events will give you opportunities to compare experiences with other interns, reflect on challenges, and improve how you explain your project. A final presentation will be a part of the experience, letting you turn several weeks of technical work into a concise account of your process, results, and learning.

13. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)

Location: Remote or sites in the Greater Seattle area, WA

Cost/Stipend: Small registration fee and project costs may be applicable; paid (with up to $500 stipend) and unpaid opportunities available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact details not available

Dates: 8 – 10 weeks between June and August

Application deadline: Typically, April/May

Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

SPARK SMP connects high school students to project teams led by mentors who are professionals from academia, industry, or research organizations. You will spend the summer working on technical projects, which may focus on data visualization, robotics, AI, machine learning, or other STEM areas, depending on your mentor’s expertise. You will work on research-focused tasks while learning how collaborative environments function. Mentors will outline the project scope, overall expectations, and deliverables at the start of the experience. You will learn about technical workflows, including iterative testing, documentation, and problem-solving, and gain access to professional development sessions. The experience will conclude with a formal presentation of project outcomes to peers and mentors.

14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Online or George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waivers are available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 18 – August 12

Application Deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Current high school and undergraduate students (who have not graduated from college) and are at least 15 (or 16 for in-person/wet lab placements) by the start date 

ASSIP places high schoolers with faculty researchers working across engineering, neuroscience, environmental studies, data science, and other STEM disciplines. Over eight weeks, you will work on your assigned project, analyzing datasets, using computational models, supporting experiments, running simulations, or evaluating results with specialized research tools. Close faculty mentorship will help you develop independence while ensuring that your work remains connected to the goals and standards of an active research group. Structured assignments will help you strengthen scientific writing, critical thinking, and presentation skills, while career discussions will expose you to different pathways within research. Depending on the progress and scope of the project, your contribution may lead to a publication, conference presentation, or longer-term collaboration. 

15. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program

Location: Online

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: June 13 – August 31

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated ability in computer science

The EDIT ML Summer Internship Program lets you contribute to machine learning and data science research focused on medicine, pathology, and complex biomedical science. You may work with medical images, electronic health records, pathology text, genomic information, graphs, or multi-omics datasets that require careful computational handling. As an intern, you will also learn how researchers design algorithms for difficult clinical questions such as cancer detection, image analysis, and biomedical prediction. Training in Python, R, high-performance computing, and research workflows will support both guided projects and more advanced investigations. Seminars and mentorship will address the ethical, interpretive, and clinical considerations that shape responsible medical AI. As you progress through the program, you will practice documenting methods and communicating findings to audiences familiar with biomedical research.

Frequently asked questions

1. What data science research opportunities are available for high school seniors?

Strong options include UChicago DSI Summer Lab and NIST SHIP for applied data science in academic and federal settings, NLM DSI Scholars for biomedical informatics at NIH, SEAP and AFRL Scholars for defense and aerospace data science, and Veritas AI and Lumiere for independent research projects in AI and data science.

2. Are there free or paid data science research opportunities for high school seniors?

Yes, UChicago DSI Summer Lab provides a $5,600 stipend, SEAP provides $4,000 for first-time participants, AFRL Scholars provides approximately $506 per week, Berkeley Lab provides $500 per week, and LEAH Knox provides up to $2,250. NIST SHIP, JHU ASPIRE, and EDIT ML are free to attend, and Veritas AI and Lumiere offer full financial aid.

3. Which programs are open to students regardless of location?

Veritas AI, Lumiere, EDIT ML, ASSIP (remote option), and SPARK SMP (remote option) are all fully virtual and open to students anywhere. SEAP and AFRL Scholars place students at labs across the country, and Clark Scholars accepts U.S. citizens and permanent residents nationwide.

4. When should I apply to data science research opportunities for high school seniors?

SEAP closes November 1, and AFRL Scholars closes January 10. UChicago DSI Summer Lab closes January 12, NIST SHIP closes January 26, and NLM DSI Scholars and JHU ASPIRE close in mid-February. Programs, such as EDIT ML (March 1) and ASSIP (February 15), fall slightly later. Veritas AI and Lumiere accept rolling applications throughout the year.