10 Great Research Opportunities for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student interested in exploring STEM, AI, or technology, participating in research programs or internships is a good way to gain experience. These opportunities not only enhance your practical skills but also provide exposure to real-world applications and valuable professional connections! Many research programs are offered by prestigious colleges and organizations, making them a solid addition to your college applications.
Exploring research opportunities for high school students allows you to explore fields you're interested in, whether it's engineering, computer science, or artificial intelligence. Participating in such programs can help you build a foundation for future academic endeavors while collaborating with experts.
To help you find the right fit, we've curated a list of the top 10 research opportunities for high school students in Illinois, as well as virtual programs. Each offers a robust research component in STEM, AI, or tech.
1. The Grainger College of Engineering: Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Early May
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12
Cost: Program fees apply; Financial aid available
The WYSE program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign introduces high school students to a variety of STEM fields through hands-on, minds-on activities. Once you arrive on campus, you’ll dive into interactive lab sessions and team challenges that mimic real-world engineering problems. You’ll be paired with current college students who act as mentors, guiding you through complex concepts and sharing their own experiences. At the end of the program, you’ll get to present posters of your research during a symposium. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your problem-solving skills by designing and building projects that push your creativity.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Apply here
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $2,990 onwards; Financial aid available
Lumiere Education offers a research program where high school students work one-on-one with PhD mentors from top universities. Over 12 weeks, you’ll choose a topic you’re passionate about and develop an independent research project, covering everything from hypothesis formation to data analysis.
Your mentor will meet with you regularly to help refine your research methods and give feedback on your writing. You’ll wrap up by crafting a polished research paper and presenting your findings at the Lumiere Research Symposium. It’s an excellent way for you to experience what true academic research opportunities for high school students look like!
3. University of Chicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Around 30 students
Dates: Mid‑June – Early August; 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Typically, January
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors; Ages 16+; Illinois or Lake County, Indiana, residents
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,000 stipend
UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart is a full‑time, summer cancer‑research internship where high school juniors and seniors contribute to real oncology studies in cutting‑edge labs. You’ll work alongside expert researchers, gain hands‑on experience with lab techniques, and enhance your analytical mindset.
The program includes career and skill development workshops, plus exposure to invaluable professional networks. You will end the program by presenting findings at a research symposium, which is excellent practice for future STEM paths. This immersive program is a standout among research opportunities for high school students, especially those drawn to biomedical fields.
4. Veritas AI: AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Apply here!
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in Python or completion of the AI Scholars program
Cost: $5,400; financial aid available
Veritas AI offers a 12-15-week fellowship where high school students undertake independent AI research projects under the guidance of mentors from top institutions. During the fellowship, you’ll meet one-on-one with experts to design and train your own AI model—whether it’s for natural language processing, computer vision, or another exciting application. You’ll receive personalized feedback on your work and refine your coding and research skills through regular mentor sessions. The program concludes with a showcase where you present your model and get evaluated on your approach and results.
5. Fermilab QuarkNet Summer Research Program
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Mid‑June – Early August (~7 weeks)
Application Deadline: January (typically)
Eligibility: Illinois high school sophomores to seniors; U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Stipend: Paid (~$17.20/hour)
Fermilab’s QuarkNet program immerses high school sophomores through seniors in weeks‑long lab work alongside Fermilab scientists on high‑energy physics or computational science projects. You’ll learn to design experiments, analyze data from particle detectors, and present your findings, developing key STEM research skills. Regular mentor interactions bolster your technical expertise and professional confidence. Paid at approximately $17.20/hour, it’s one of the few paid summer research opportunities for high school students in physics and engineering.
6. Argonne National Laboratory: College Bound Research Program
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Illinois high school seniors, GPA ≥ 3.75
Cost/Stipend: Weekly stipend ~$500; No cost
The College Bound Research Program at Argonne gives you real-world experience working alongside top scientists and engineers on significant research projects, ranging from advanced computing to biosciences. This full-time, summer internship places students in labs where they’ll participate in experimental work, data analysis, and team meetings, gaining insight into how large-scale research institutions operate.
Mentors guide you through your assigned project, and you will present your findings to Argonne’s research community. Beyond lab work, you’ll network and attend professional development events, setting a strong foundation in STEM. It’s one of the most compelling research opportunities for high school students in Illinois.
7. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA): Student Inquiry and Research (SIR) Program
Location: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Academic year with dedicated Inquiry Days; Summer opportunities available
Application Deadline: Not mentioned; Email SIR@imsa.edu to register interest
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12; IMSA students and IMSA scholars
Cost: Not mentioned
The Student Inquiry and Research (SIR) Program at IMSA offers a rich research environment for high schoolers during the academic year (with some summer extensions). You’ll join IMSA students on dedicated “Inquiry Days,” where you dive into self-directed projects under the mentorship of faculty, industry experts, or academic researchers.
You’ll choose a topic that excites you—whether it’s in biology, computer science, or sociology—and develop your research skills from literature review through data collection and analysis. At the end of each term, you’ll present your findings to peers and mentors, sharpening both your critical-thinking and communication abilities. It’s an authentic research opportunity for high school students looking to explore their passions in a structured, supportive setting!
8. Brookfield Zoo King Conservation Science Scholars Program
Location: Brookfield Zoo, Illinois
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Dates: Year-round program with seasonal activities
Application Deadline: Varies by session; Applications open by September 1 for the fall
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: None
The King Conservation Science Scholars Program at Brookfield Zoo engages high school students in conservation science through hands-on experiences and leadership development. In this year-round program, you’ll participate in field research, design community outreach projects, and learn about the science behind wildlife care.
You’ll work alongside zoo scientists and conservation professionals who will show you how research projects translate into real conservation impact. Along the way, you’ll discuss environmental challenges, gather data in the field, and share your findings with local stakeholders! This program is one of the most immersive research opportunities for high school students interested in environmental and wildlife science.
9. American Psychological Association (APA): Internal Internship Program (IIP)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Year-round internships available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Apply here
Eligibility: High school students residing in the U.S.; Must meet specific state employment requirements
Stipend: Paid; Academic credit available too
The APA’s Internal Internship Program offers remote internships and research opportunities for high school students interested in psychology and related fields. As an intern, you’ll assist with ongoing research projects, help draft communications, and even contribute to policy analysis initiatives. You’ll collaborate virtually with APA staff and learn how theoretical concepts apply to real-world psychology practice! You’ll also build professional skills like data organization and science communication, and explore non-traditional career paths in psychology. This program also provides an opportunity to attend workshops and discussions, as well as participate in group projects.
10. MIT PRIMES-USA
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: October 1 – November 18 (Tentative)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing at least 50 miles outside the Greater Boston area
Cost: None
MIT PRIMES-USA is a prestigious, year-long math research program for high school sophomores and juniors outside the Greater Boston area. During the program, you will work remotely with MIT mentors on original projects in math, computer science, or computational biology. The program runs in four phases: initial readings and a 5-page report, core research in spring, independent work over summer, and final paper preparation in the fall.
You will be expected to commit around 10 hours a week during peak months and present your findings at MIT’s Fall conference. It’s an intensive experience that hones problem-solving and academic writing skills. As one of the most rigorous research opportunities for high school students, PRIMES-USA is ideal for those serious about STEM.
Image Source - University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign