12 Data Science Research Programs for High School Students in New York
If you are a high school student interested in data science, research programs can be a great opportunity to explore the field. You can test‑drive careers, build technical skills, and form mentorship connections well before college. You also get the opportunity to build a network of like-minded peers.
New York has various reputable universities and organisations that offer data science research programs. This is a great way to explore various aspects of the field, such as coding, machine learning, and statistics, through data-driven research projects. If you are living in New York, you can potentially save on long-distance travel with these local programs.
To get you started, we’ve curated 12 data science research programs for high school students in New York.
12 Data Science Research Programs for High School Students in New York
1. NYU Tandon – Applied Research Innovation in Science & Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; students receive a $1000 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 60 students selected each year
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who are New York City residents and can commit full‑time
ARISE introduces you to engineering, computer science, and data‑driven research. You’ll spend the first two weeks in college‑level coursework learning the scientific method, research ethics, and lab safety. The remaining five weeks are devoted to a research placement in one of over 80 active NYU research labs, such as the Machine Learning for Good Laboratory or Responsible Data Science Lab, where you’ll work alongside graduate mentors on real projects. Students present their findings at a final symposium and receive a stipend. Apply early, as spaces are limited and preference is given to students with a demonstrated interest in STEM.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; need‑based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohorts of about 25 students per session
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: Open to ambitious high school students; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python/AI experience
Founded by Harvard graduates, Veritas AI’s Scholars program helps you build a foundation in artificial intelligence and data science. Over 10 sessions, you’ll learn Python, machine learning algorithms, and ethical considerations while working on a real‑world project under the guidance of mentors from universities like Harvard and MIT. Students who continue into the AI Fellowship work one‑on‑one with a mentor to design a unique research project and can publish their findings in a high school journal.
3. Baruch College Now STEM Research Academy
Location: Baruch College, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,575 stipend upon completion; potential high school credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: January – May OR July – August; Spring introduction to research course followed by a 5‑ to 6‑week summer internship
Application Deadline: Applications open in October and are typically due by December
Eligibility: NYC public high school juniors (10th graders may be considered) meeting Regents score benchmarks
Baruch’s STEM Research Academy provides training in research methods through a spring course and a summer internship with CUNY faculty. During the course, you’ll learn how to design experiments, search scientific literature, and interpret data. Students who complete the course are matched with faculty members for a summer research project in fields such as computer science and mathematics.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts paired 1‑on‑1 with Ph.D. mentors
Dates: Multiple cohorts: summer (June–August), fall (September–December), winter (December–February), and spring (March–June)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record
Lumiere pairs each student with a Ph.D. mentor to conduct an independent research project in fields like data science, computer science, or economics. Over 12 weeks, you’ll develop a research question, learn relevant methods, and produce a scholarly paper with your mentor’s guidance. You can choose topics ranging from machine learning to human–computer interaction, making this program flexible for diverse interests. Participants meet regularly with their mentors via video calls and have access to resources such as literature databases and writing support. At the end, you can have a research paper suitable for publication or college applications, making this a great option for data science research programs for high school students in New York.
5. American Museum of Natural History – Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP‑Machine)
Location: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), Manhattan, NY; summer institute held at the museum and remote sessions
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $2,500 upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 10–15 students accepted into the machine‑learning track
Dates: Year‑long program with summer institute followed by academic‑year research
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders who live and attend school in New York City; completion of algebra and at least one science class is required
SRMP‑Machine is a new track within the AMNH’s Science Research Mentoring Program that focuses on machine learning and data science. During the summer institute, you’ll learn how data science and ML tools are applied in scientific research and complete mini‑projects to develop programming skills. Throughout the academic year, you’ll work with museum scientists to design and conduct your own research project, using datasets related to biodiversity, astrophysics, or earth science. The program emphasizes ethics and responsible AI practices while also offering college‑readiness workshops, making this a solid option for data science research programs for high school students in New York.
6. York College Now STEM Research Academy (CUNY)
Location: York College, Queens, NY
Cost/Stipend: $750 stipend upon completion; free lunch and MetroCard provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students selected
Dates: July – August; Spring research course followed by a six‑week summer research program
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: NYC public high school juniors with strong Regents scores and GPA
This two‑semester program starts with a spring Introduction to Research course where you’ll learn how to formulate research questions, design experiments, and search scientific literature. After completing the course, successful students join the CUNY faculty for a six-week summer research internship in areas such as computer science, mathematics, or environmental science.
7. High School Initiative in Remote Sensing (HIRES)
Location: Grove School of Engineering at City College of New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 stipend upon completion and 3 college credits
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20–25 students accepted
Dates: 7-week summer program (June – August)
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: New York City high school students entering grades 10–12 with algebra II/trigonometry completed and relevant score requirements
HIRES immerses you in remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), which are fundamental tools in environmental data science. Students choose projects related to climate change, weather, water resources, or coastal oceans and take mini‑courses in computer analysis, GIS, and remote sensing. You’ll collect and analyse data alongside scientists and prepare a presentation for the CREST STEM Summer Research Symposium. The program runs full‑time and awards participants college credit and a stipend.
8. Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP)
Location: DNA Learning Center at CUNY City Tech, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 50 students join research teams each year
Dates: Workshops and training during school breaks, followed by year‑long research projects; lab training in August 25 – 29; symposium in May or June
Application Deadline: Typically due in May
Eligibility: New York City high school students in grades 9–12
The UBRP engages students in biodiversity research using DNA barcoding, a bioinformatics technique that combines genetics and data science. You’ll attend preparatory workshops, then partner with scientists from institutions like the American Museum of Natural History or the Rockefeller University to design and execute your own research project. Projects often involve collecting specimens around New York City, sequencing DNA, and analysing genetic data to study urban ecosystems. By the end of the program, you’ll have a research project and presentation to showcase on college applications.
9. Queensborough Community College Now STEM Research Academy
Location: Queensborough Community College, Bayside, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 30 students per cohort
Dates: Two‑semester program with a spring course and a six‑week summer research experience
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall for a spring start
Eligibility: NYC public high school juniors meeting CUNY benchmarks
This research academy offers exposure to biotechnology, computer science, information security, and other STEM fields. You’ll begin with a college‑credit course that develops skills like designing experiments and analysing scientific literature. After passing the course, you can apply for a six‑week summer research placement under the guidance of CUNY faculty. The program targets students from high schools that lack research opportunities, providing you with the chance to gain lab and data analysis experience, regardless of your school’s resources.
10. City College STEM Research Academy (CUNY)
Location: City College of New York, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,575 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Varies based on cohort
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by campus and cohort
Eligibility: NYC DOE students on track to graduate, with scores meeting CUNY benchmarks
The City College STEM Research Academy serves students from underrepresented schools by teaching research fundamentals in a spring course and placing them in summer research experiences with CUNY faculty. You’ll learn to formulate research questions, design experiments, search library databases, and read peer‑reviewed literature. If selected for the summer, you’ll work full‑time in a lab or data project and receive stipends and transportation support.
11. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; participants receive a stipend upon completion (amount not disclosed)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; roughly 30 students are selected from hundreds of applicants
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors at least 16 years old; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
At the Simons Summer Research Program, you’ll join a Stony Brook research lab and work alongside faculty and graduate students on a six‑week project. The program encompasses fields ranging from applied mathematics to computer science and statistics, allowing students interested in data science to explore algorithms and big data analysis while receiving one-on-one mentorship. You’ll attend weekly seminars on scientific ethics and career paths and produce a research abstract and poster to present at the end of the session, making this a solid option for data science research programs for high school students in New York.
12. NYU Tandon Machine Learning Program for High School Students
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition about $3,050; optional housing available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 30 students per session
Dates: Two‑week sessions offered June 16 – 27, July 7 – 18, and July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ who have completed precalculus and have some programming experience
NYU’s machine learning summer program gives you a crash course in algorithms, neural networks, and coding. Over two weeks, you’ll attend lectures, participate in hands‑on labs, and build models using Python, culminating in a final project. The curriculum covers supervised and unsupervised learning, convolutional neural networks, and ethical considerations. Because the program is hosted at NYU’s Brooklyn campus, you’ll also get a taste of college life and can opt for on‑campus housing, making this a solid option for data science research programs for high school students in New York.