10 Fall Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you're a high school student interested in STEM, AI, or academic research, fall can be an ideal time to take on a short-term project. While summer programs are popular, they often come with time constraints, higher costs, and limited availability. Fall research programs, on the other hand, offer a slower pace and deeper engagement—without disrupting your summer plans or requiring travel.
Participating in a fall research program allows you to explore advanced topics beyond the classroom, work with complex data, and receive mentorship from university faculty or research professionals. Because these programs often run over a semester or academic year, they also help build important habits like time management, consistency, and independent thinking.
Many fall programs, such as the ones below, are more affordable than summer alternatives, and some offer financial aid or scholarships to make them accessible to a wider range of students. If you're looking to grow academically during the school year while building a strong foundation for college applications in the summer, a fall research program can be a valuable investment.
Below are 10 fall research opportunities for high school students that combine expert mentorship, rigorous projects, and meaningful academic growth.
1. NASA - Office of STEM Engagement Internships
Location: Various NASA research centers across the country.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: The program typically runs for ≈16 weeks from late-August / early-September through mid-December.
Application Deadline: January.
Eligibility: High school students with a ≥3.0 GPA are eligible to apply.
Stipend: Paid.
NASA’s OSTEM internships allow high school students to contribute to cutting-edge projects in space exploration. You may work on developing machine learning models for spaceflight, testing environmental sensor hardware, or assisting in data analysis. Each student is mentored by experienced engineers or researchers and receives training in technical tools. These internships are highly competitive and offer stipends, making them both prestigious and practical. It is Ideal for students interested in aerospace, physics, or engineering, the program provides exceptional early-career exposure.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year including Fall.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 are eligible to apply.
Cost: Individual Research Program (12 weeks): $2,990 | Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks): $5,900 | Research Fellowship (6-12 months): $8,900. Need-based financial aid is available.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is tailored for high school students seeking advanced academic challenges. Through individualized mentorship with a Ph.D. researcher, you will explore disciplines such as computer science, neuroscience, economics, engineering, literature, and more. Over a 12-week period, you will conceptualize, develop, and complete an original research paper. This program emphasizes critical thinking, in-depth analysis, and academic writing, offering you the chance to engage in scholarly work that mirrors undergraduate-level research.
3. United States Senate - U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: United States Senate, Washington, D.C.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort: Highly selective; 30 students.
Dates: September 1 - January 23.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the Senator's office.
Eligibility: High school juniors who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0/B.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend of $35,360.
As a Senate Page, you will spend a full semester in Washington, D.C., supporting the daily operations of the Senate, delivering correspondence, assisting during roll call votes, and preparing the chamber for sessions. Though behind the scenes, this role places you at the heart of national policy making. Pages are nominated and sponsored by the U.S. Senators and reside in supervised housing just a few blocks from the Capitol. All living expenses, including accommodation, meals, and laundry, are covered, and you will receive a monthly stipend.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort: Highly selective; ≈12–15 students per cohort.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Fall.
Application Deadline: September. Reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Founded by Harvard graduates, Veritas AI offers high school students a structured pathway into artificial intelligence. For beginners, the AI Scholars Program introduces foundational concepts in AI, machine learning, and data science through 10 immersive sessions that include real-world projects. Students with prior experience can opt for the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, a more advanced track that involves one-on-one mentorship from experts affiliated with top universities. You will undertake independent research and receive support in publishing your work in high school academic journals. Check out past student projects here to get inspired.
5. Foreign Policy Research Institute - High School Internship Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: September – December.
Application Deadline: July 23.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Stipend: Stipend awards are determined by financial need after interns are selected for their program.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), a leading think tank based in Philadelphia, offers research opportunities for high school students with an interest in geopolitics, international relations, or security studies. You will support scholars with research, editing, and communications tasks, gaining meaningful insight into the processes behind global policy development. This flexible program can be completed remotely or in person, offering you the opportunity to engage with the workings of a policy institute while building research and writing skills that will prove valuable in higher education and beyond.
6. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at ASDRP Labs in Fremont, CA.
Acceptance Rate: ~25%.
Dates: September 1 – January 15.
Application Deadline: Priority: July 24 | General: August 15.
Eligibility: Current 9th - 12th grade students around the Bay Area are eligible to apply.
Cost: $1,070. Need-based financial aid is available.
ASDRP offers high school students the opportunity to conduct advanced research in fields such as biotechnology, materials science, machine learning, and physics. Over 4.5 months, you will participate in evening or weekend lab sessions, contributing to long-term group projects. Mentorship is provided by faculty, graduate students, and scientists from local institutions. Many students publish in scientific journals or present at symposiums.
7. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: The internship typically runs in increments of 1 month, from 1 - 9 months. Interns work approximately 8 hours per week.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10–12) who have completed at least one honors science or english course and have a GPA over 3.25 are eligible to apply.
Cost/Stipend: None.
The EnergyMag Internship is a virtual research opportunity focused on clean energy innovation. You will work independently researching topics such as solar technology, energy storage, and sustainable startups. Guided by a volunteer mentor, you will conduct literature reviews, gather and analyze data, and produce a written report modeled after a professional market or policy analysis. The internship offers flexibility, making it well-suited for students with demanding schedules. The program is free of charge and offers a valuable introduction to climate science, clean technology, and sustainability policy.
8. United States Department of the Treasury - Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: United States Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort: Highly selective.
Dates: September-December.
Application Deadline: July.
Eligibility: High school students who are US citizens are eligible to apply.
Cost / Stipend: None.
As part of this internship, you will be placed in offices such as Domestic Finance or Legislative Affairs as an intern, where you will assist with research, briefing materials, memos, and data management. Although the internship is unpaid, it is highly selective and offers pretty great access to policy experts and substantive projects. It is particularly well-suited for students considering future academic paths in economics, political science, or international relations.
9. Polygence Research Mentorship Program
Polygence is a customizable research mentorship program that enables high school students to design and execute original projects on any subject. Whether your interest lies in astrophysics, public health policy, machine learning, or literature, you’ll be matched with a mentor—typically a graduate student or Ph.D. candidate—who will guide you through 10 virtual sessions. The program emphasizes independent thinking, research methodology, and communication, culminating in a final product (e.g., paper, podcast, video, or exhibit).
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: The program typically runs for 3-6 months throughout the year, including Fall.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in self-driven research are eligible to apply.
Cost: ~$2,895. Need-based financial aid is available.
10. Alley Pond Environmental Center - Field Biology Internship
Location: Alley Pond Park, Douglaston, NY.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: October 5 – November 9. The program runs on Saturdays.
Application Deadline: August 1.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 years or older are eligible to apply.
Cost: $150. Need-based financial aid is available.
Conducted entirely outdoors across Alley Pond Park and neighboring habitats in Queens, the program introduces you to key research techniques, including soil and water sampling, species identification, and wildlife observation. Over six Saturday sessions, you will learn to design field experiments, maintain detailed scientific notes, and communicate findings effectively. Working alongside environmental experts, you will gain first hand exposure to field biology and conservation in urban ecosystems.
Image source - NASA logo