15 Free STEM Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students
STEM research programs allow high school students to explore scientific questions, develop technical skills, and gain experience beyond the classroom. Whether you're interested in biology, engineering, computer science, physics, or environmental science, these programs allow you to work alongside researchers and learn how STEM discoveries are made. Choosing a free program, or one that offers full financial aid, can make these opportunities accessible without the added burden of tuition or program fees. Many also provide funding for housing, meals, or stipends, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to participate in high-quality research experiences.
What are the benefits of STEM research in high school?
Participating in a STEM research program helps you build practical skills that can strengthen both your academic and professional goals. You'll learn how to design experiments, analyze data, think critically, and communicate scientific findings while working with mentors in university, laboratory, or industry settings. The work itself can range widely depending on available resources, allowing you to build physical engineering prototypes, write code for computational modeling, conduct environmental field studies, or even assist in university laboratories with ongoing biological or chemical research. These experiences can also help you explore potential career paths, deepen your understanding of a specific STEM field, and demonstrate initiative when applying to colleges or future internships.
To help you find the right opportunity, we've rounded up 15 free STEM summer research programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span biomedical research, neuroscience, AI, engineering, environmental science, physics, genomics, and computational biology, so students with a wide range of STEM interests can find a relevant free or fully funded option in person or online.
Several programs offer stipends in addition to being free, including Scripps Research ($5,040), Brookhaven National Laboratory (stipend provided), ARISE at NYU ($2,000), Berkeley Lab EinR ($500 per week), MPFI ($14 per hour), and Clark Scholars ($750), making them especially strong for students who need financial support to participate.
Programs vary significantly in depth and format, from 12-week virtual research projects, such as Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation and Veritas AI, to 10-week residential lab placements, such as Simons Summer Research and Rockefeller SSRP, so students can choose based on their experience level and availability.
Application deadlines for the most selective programs fall early, including Rockefeller SSRP (January 2), NIST SHIP (January 26), Broad Summer Scholars (January 21), and Stanford SIMR (February 21), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: ~$75 application fee (waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <2.5% acceptance rate; 100 students globally
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors; at least 16 by July 1 of the program year; additional requirements can be found here
Research Science Institute (RSI) is a free STEM summer research program that combines coursework with original scientific research. You begin with a week of advanced STEM lectures before joining research laboratories under the guidance of faculty and professional researchers. You’ll complete a full research cycle, including literature review, experimental or computational work, data analysis, and presentation of your findings. Research projects span disciplines such as biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physics. The program concludes with written papers and conference-style presentations that allow students to communicate their research to peers and mentors.
2. Veritas AI's AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small group and 1:1 mentorship format
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with 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. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $50 application fee (waivers available) + a limited number of need-based stipends are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~50 students/year
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; currently living in an attending school in the U.S
SIMR provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct biomedical research under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research staff. You work in one of several research areas, including immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, genetics, bioinformatics, cardiovascular biology, stem cell biology, and bioengineering. You’ll gain experience using laboratory techniques or computational research methods while learning how scientific studies are designed and conducted. The program also includes research seminars, career exploration activities, and opportunities to discuss scientific findings with researchers. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your work through a formal research presentation.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with high academic achievement (≥3.3 unweighted GPA recommended) and financial need (typically household income <$50,000/year)
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
5. Scripps Research High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
Stipend: $5,040 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: San Diego County students who have completed their most recent semester of high school (16+) from REACH partner schools with a 3.0+ GPA who have completed one year of biology and chemistry; first-time participants
The Scripps Research High School Summer Internship Program provides students with full-time biomedical research experience under the mentorship of laboratory scientists. You’ll spend seven weeks conducting experiments, learning laboratory techniques, interpreting data, and contributing to ongoing research projects. In addition to laboratory work, you attend weekly scientific seminars and professional development workshops covering current biomedical research and STEM careers. Mentors guide interns through experimental design and data interpretation while helping them develop scientific communication skills. The program concludes with participants presenting their research at the campus-wide Summer Intern Symposium.
6. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Optional residential costs / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate: <5% acceptance rate; approximately 30–40 students per summer
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+) who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program is a free STEM research program that places students in university research laboratories where they work alongside faculty mentors on ongoing STEM research projects. You’ll contribute to investigations in disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and environmental science. Throughout the program, you learn laboratory procedures, research ethics, scientific communication, and data analysis through authentic research activities. Weekly faculty lectures introduce students to current scientific developments and research methodologies. You’ll conclude the program by preparing and presenting a research poster summarizing your work.
7. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~60 students
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live and attend school in NYC
ARISE is a free summer research program that combines foundational STEM training with mentored research in NYU Tandon laboratories. You first complete workshops covering laboratory safety, programming, research ethics, scientific communication, and data analysis before beginning research placements with faculty mentors. Research opportunities span engineering, computer science, robotics, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, environmental science, and other STEM disciplines. Throughout the program, you apply research methods while developing technical, analytical, and communication skills in a university research setting. The experience concludes with a poster symposium where you present the results of your research projects.
8. Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research (EinR)
Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10% acceptance rate; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Northern California sophomores, juniors, and seniors; 16+ by June 15; 3.0+ GPA encouraged
Experiences in Research (EinR) is a free STEM summer research program that introduces high school students to research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. You’ll work with laboratory mentors on projects involving experimental research, coding, data science, scientific communication, and other STEM fields. Throughout the internship, you build technical and professional skills while learning how research teams collaborate to solve scientific problems. The program also includes activities focused on science communication, career exploration, and collaboration with researchers. You’ll complete a research project and share your work at the conclusion of the internship.
9. MPFI Student Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 6–8 students
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (16+) live in and attend a high school in Palm Beach or Martin County; legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The MPFI Student Research Internship introduces high school students to neuroscience research through full-time work in laboratories at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. You work alongside scientists on projects involving neural circuits, brain imaging, molecular biology, and related research areas. You’ll learn laboratory techniques, experimental design, data collection, and analysis while participating in ongoing research studies. Weekly seminars and discussions expose interns to current neuroscience research and careers in biomedical science. The program concludes with students presenting their research findings to institute scientists and fellow participants.
10. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Stipend: Need-based stipends may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 32 students
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; 16+ by the start of the program
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a free, team-based biomedical research program that places students in mentored research groups led by scientists from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine. You work in collaborative research teams to investigate scientific questions and design experiments. You’ll learn laboratory techniques, research design, data analysis, and scientific communication while participating in lectures, workshops, and networking events. Throughout the program, you analyze your findings and prepare a scientific research poster. The experience concludes with a poster symposium where each research team presents its work to the scientific community.
11. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, and Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective; approximately 45 students
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who live within 50 miles of NIST Gaithersburg or NIST Boulder
NIST's Summer High School Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to conduct research alongside scientists and engineers at one of the nation's leading federal research laboratories. You’ll work on individual research projects in areas such as physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, materials science, mathematics, and information technology. Students receive guidance from NIST mentors as they develop laboratory, computational, and data analysis skills. In addition to research, you participate in professional development activities and present your work during a program-wide poster session. The internship emphasizes the research process, scientific collaboration, and technical communication in a federal laboratory environment.
12. Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program
Location: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 20–25 students each summer
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students; 16+ by program start; rising 12th graders recommended; U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program places students in research groups led by laboratory scientists and engineers working across a range of STEM disciplines. You’ll contribute to projects in fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, environmental science, and engineering while gaining experience with laboratory equipment and computational tools. You learn how scientific research is planned, conducted, and documented through close collaboration with your mentors. The program also includes seminars, facility tours, and professional development activities that introduce students to research careers at a national laboratory. At the conclusion of the internship, you present the results of your research to laboratory staff and fellow interns.
13. Northeastern University – Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 32–34 students
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are within commuting distance of Northeastern University; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Young Scholars Program is a free research experience that places students in laboratories at Northeastern University to conduct engineering and STEM research under faculty mentorship. You contribute to projects in disciplines such as bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and materials science. You’ll learn laboratory methods, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication while working on active research projects. The program also includes faculty seminars, engineering workshops, and professional development activities that introduce participants to current research and engineering careers. You’ll present your research findings during a closing symposium attended by faculty, mentors, and peers.
14. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory – ASPIRE
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <10% acceptance rate; 1:1 mentor-to-student model
Dates: June 23 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; 15+ by June 1; U.S. citizens; minimum 2.8 GPA; no criminal record; reside in Washington, D.C., or specific counties in MD (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's) or VA (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax)
ASPIRE is a full-time STEM summer internship that places high school students alongside scientists, engineers, and technical professionals at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. You’ll work on mentor-led projects across areas such as artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, robotics, software development, cybersecurity, materials science, and STEM education. You’ll gain experience applying technical and problem-solving skills while contributing to ongoing research and engineering efforts. Throughout the internship, you work in a professional research environment and receive guidance from experienced mentors. The program concludes with a capstone showcase where interns present the work they completed during the summer.
15. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Only a $25 application fee / $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (i.e., students graduating high school in the program year or the next) who are at least 17 by the start date; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Clark Scholars Program provides highly motivated high school students with the opportunity to conduct free summer research across a wide range of STEM disciplines at Texas Tech University. You’ll be matched with faculty researchers and contribute to ongoing research projects while learning the methods used in academic research. You’ll gain experience in experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication through daily work in research laboratories or computational environments. The program also includes seminars, field trips, and discussions with university faculty about research careers and graduate education. At the end of the program, scholars present the results of their summer research to faculty, mentors, and fellow participants.
Frequently asked questions
1. What free STEM summer research programs are available for high school students?
Strong options include RSI at MIT for competitive independent STEM research, Stanford SIMR and Rockefeller SSRP for biomedical and life sciences, ARISE at NYU for engineering and computer science, NIST SHIP for federal research in physics and materials science, and Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation for virtual AI and interdisciplinary research.
2. Which free STEM programs also provide stipends or pay?
Scripps Research provides a $5,040 stipend, ARISE at NYU provides $2,000, Berkeley Lab EinR provides $500 per week, MPFI pays $14 per hour, Clark Scholars provides $750, and Brookhaven National Laboratory provides a stipend. Simons Summer Research and Rockefeller SSRP also offer stipends, though amounts are not publicly disclosed.
3. Which free STEM research programs are most selective?
RSI accepts fewer than 2.5 percent of applicants globally, Rockefeller SSRP accepts 32 students, Clark Scholars accepts only 12 students per year, and MPFI accepts 6 to 8 students. JHU ASPIRE and Scripps Research are also highly competitive with acceptance rates below 10 percent.
4. When should I apply to free STEM summer research programs for high school students?
Rockefeller SSRP closes January 2, NIST SHIP closes January 26, and Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation and Veritas AI have rolling deadlines. Stanford SIMR closes February 21, JHU ASPIRE closes February 15, ARISE closes February 27, and Clark Scholars closes February 16. Students should begin preparing materials in the fall to avoid missing the most competitive deadlines.