8 Data Science Summer Research Programs for High School Students in California
As a high school student, you can utilize your summer break and attend research programs that offer you a way to build skills and explore subjects of your interest. These programs allow you to research topcis that interest you, helping you build analytical and problem-solving skills, and giving you the platform to collaborate with others. With mentorship, projects, and professional networking, these programs can strengthen your college applications and prepare you for future careers.
California is home to leading universities and tech organizations and hosts a wide range of opportunities in data science and related fields like AI and machine learning. These programs give you access to cutting-edge equipment and tools, resources that help with research, and a better understanding of the field. Whether you are an in-state student who wants to attend a local program, or an out-of-state student interested in studying in California and exploring the opportunities available in the state, you can find a program that suits your interests and needs.
We’ve highlighted 8 data science summer research programs for high school students in California.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students globally are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should have completed AI Scholars or have prior AI/Python experience.
Veritas AI offers two main pathways for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence and related fields like machine learning and data science. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to AI fundamentals through projects and foundational skills. For those with prior knowledge, the AI Fellowship provides a 1:1 mentorship experience with university-level mentors to develop unique individual research projects. This advanced track includes access to a publication team to help you submit your work to high school research journals and culminates in a showcase event. Both programs emphasize practical skills, mentorship, and opportunities to contribute original research in AI.
2. UC Irvine - Data Science for ALL
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA.
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 40 students.
Dates: July 7 - 11.
Application Deadline: April 25.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 are eligible to apply
Data Science for All is a summer program designed to teach foundational principles of data science and machine learning. You will learn data modeling, cleaning, wrangling, and visualization, alongside Python programming tailored for processing data. The program uses the open-source Texera platform to make concepts accessible regardless of prior computing background. A capstone project involves applying machine learning techniques such as classification and sentiment analysis to real-world datasets, including social media data. Instructors include professors and PhD students from UCI and UCLA, providing expert guidance throughout the program.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Data Science Track
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer.
Application Deadline: May.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week virtual experience where you are paired one-on-one with Ph.D.-level mentors to conduct independent research in data science, computer science, and related fields. Throughout the program, you will develop skills in research design, data analysis, and scientific writing, culminating in a formal research paper. The program emphasizes self-driven inquiry and critical thinking, supported by expert mentorship to foster academic communication and methodology skills. This flexible, rigorous program allows you to deeply explore your chosen topic while building a strong foundation in data science research.
4. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA.
Cost: $1,070. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: 31%.
Dates: June 1 - August 30.
Application Deadline: Summer Priority Deadline 1: February 1 | Priority Deadline 2: March 1 | Final Deadline: April 15.
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 are eligible to apply.
ASDRP offers high school students the chance to engage in authentic, computer science, data science, and engineering research under the mentorship of expert researchers in the Bay Area, with remote participation available for out-of-area students. Accepted students often continue year-round, exploring various research groups or concentrating deeply on one area. The program is highly selective, with limited openings each term. ASDRP fosters diversity, rigor, and passion in STEM, making it an excellent opportunity for aspiring data science researchers.
5. UC Santa Cruz - Science Internship Program (SIP)
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $4250 tuition and $65 application fee. Need-based scholarships are available
Cohort size: 60 students
Dates: Online Research Week: June 16–20. In-person Research: June 23–August 8
Application Deadline: February 1 - February 28
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply
The Science Internship Program at UC Santa Cruz offers the chance to spend your summer conducting open-ended research projects under the mentorship of UCSC researchers. The program begins with a week of virtual research activities, followed by seven weeks of in-person work where you will apply your skills to authentic projects across a wide range of disciplines, including data science. You will develop critical research skills, engage deeply with your projects, and collaborate with mentors and peers. The internship culminates in a hybrid presentation day where you will share your findings with the community.
6. UC Santa Barbara - Summer Research Academies: Inside Scoop – Mapping Organizational Structures and Networks Through Data Science
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.
Cost: Commuter: $2,775 | Residential: $8,774. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 25–30 students
Dates: June 25 - July 25
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply
UC Santa Barbara’s Summer Research Academies provide an immersive, project-based research experience where you will take a 4-unit university course and develop a research project in your chosen track. The Data Science track focuses on analyzing organizational structures and networks through curated datasets, using Python and machine learning techniques. You will explore network analysis to understand leadership, resource flows, and innovation in organizations, gaining experience with data modeling and analysis. The program includes academic seminars (GRIT talks), networking opportunities, and a capstone presentation where you showcase your research.
7. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz, CA.
Cost: $5,256 tuition and $44 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.
Cohort size: 160–200 students per campus.
Dates: July 6 - August 2.
Application Deadline: January 8 - February 7.
Eligibility: California high school students with strong academic records are eligible to apply.
COSMOS is an intensive four-week residential summer program designed to prepare the next generation of STEM leaders by immersing you in advanced, lab-intensive curricula beyond typical high school offerings. You will study with distinguished faculty and researchers at one of five UC campuses, each offering courses aligned with its research strengths. The program emphasizes working on projects in data science, computer science, engineering, and mathematics to deepen skills and awareness of STEM career paths.
8. Stanford University - AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $850 tuition and $40 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 16 - 27.
Application Deadline: February 28.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 years and older are eligible to apply.
Stanford AIMI offers a two-week virtual internship focused on the application of artificial intelligence in medicine. This project-based program introduces you to clinical and technical AI concepts through lectures, collaborative research initiatives, and personalized mentorship. You will work closely with researchers and post-doctoral fellows, gaining insight into how AI technology is applied in clinical settings. The program also offers options for longer-term, self-directed research for motivated students interested in deepening their experience.
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