13 Math Research Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
If you want to refine your quantitative thinking and analytical problem-solving skills before college, programs that focus on math research are worth exploring. These programs often provide avenues to apply mathematical concepts in various contexts, gain exposure to research methodologies, and understand how mathematical tools are used across academic and industry settings. Many of them also offer opportunities to work under experienced mentors, collaborate with like-minded peers, and develop early connections that can support future academic or career paths.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
In New York City, several universities, research institutes, and educational organizations host structured opportunities for high school students interested in mathematics and related fields. Participating in a research program in NYC provides the added benefit of proximity to strong academic ecosystems, diverse professional networks, and a vibrant urban environment that encourages intellectual exploration. These options are well-suited for students who already live or study in the city, as well as those from outside NYC who want to immerse themselves in a rigorous academic setting.
We have identified 13 math research programs for high school students in New York City.
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students/year
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Rockefeller University’s SSRP is a group-based STEM research experience. Over seven weeks, you will join a group of peers and work full-time on a mentored laboratory project guided by scientific trainees from the Tri-Institutions (Rockefeller, MSK, and WCMC). You will begin by learning research techniques and norms, then develop and investigate your own research questions. You can indicate your preference for a math-focused research experience. During the program, you will also take elective courses and attend guest lectures, workshops, networking events, and social events. The summer experience ends in a formal poster presentation.
2. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are NYC residents enrolled in NYC schools
ARISE is a free 10-week summer research program designed to help high schoolers engage in hands-on STEM inquiry in lab environments. You will begin with four weeks of foundational training, learning about scientific writing, laboratory safety, and research methodologies. During the next six weeks, you will join one of 80+ NYU research labs, where you will work with faculty and graduate mentors on STEM research projects. You can indicate your preference for STEM-focused placement. You will gain about 120 hours of lab experience during the program, and present your work at the end.
3. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who have finished the AI Scholars program or have experience with Python or core AI concepts
Veritas AI allows high school students interested in AI to dive deeper into the field and develop their interests. The AI Fellowship program offers opportunities for AI exploration through collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Over 12 to 15 weeks, you will explore key AI and data science concepts and develop your own research project on an AI-based focus area. You can choose to merge AI with any other discipline for your project. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here. The program also offers you support to refine your work for future publication.
4. CCNY’s STEM Institute Summer Program: Math Track
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 7; free spring and fall programs also available
Application deadline: May 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 12
The STEM Institute at The City College of New York is a summer research program for high school students interested in exploring science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through applied and project-based learning. The program combines classroom instruction with afternoon research activities, allowing you to work on real-world problems under the guidance of experienced instructors. You will engage in collaborative projects, develop academic and technical skills relevant to college and future careers, and interact with peers who share similar interests. The mathematics curriculum includes courses such as Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Precalculus, and Calculus I, each covering foundational concepts ranging from algebraic expressions and functions to limits, derivatives, and integrals.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Math Track
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students with a strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a mentored program that helps high school students actively engage in independent research work. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on a research project. You can choose a research question within mathematics or related fields like data science, computational science, and statistics. The program also offers access to a writing coach who can help you learn how to present your findings. At the end of the 12-week program, you will have developed an independent research paper that you can present at the program’s virtual symposium. You can find more details about the application here.
6. Mathematical Modeling at Mercy University (M3U)
Location: Mercy University Westchester Campus, Dobbs Ferry, NY (20 miles from NYC)
Cost/Stipend: Free; an $800 stipend is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 2
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11 with a B or better grade
The M3U program offers high school students the opportunity to dive into mathematical modeling and gain exposure to math research. As a participant, you will spend around four weeks engaging in real-world math problem-solving and exploring the entire modeling process via hands-on laboratory work, classroom instruction, and software-based analysis. The program blends academic training with visits to research centers and museums, exposure to research methodologies, and discussions of ethical concerns in science. You will also write reports, conduct experiments, participate in debates and panel discussions, and work and present a final modeling project during the program.
7. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY (less than 1.5 hours away from NYC)
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; a $2,450 housing fee is applicable for residential participants. Stipends are available.
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years of age by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program allows motivated high school students to conduct hands-on research in science, mathematics, or engineering at Stony Brook University. You will be paired with faculty mentors, integrated into active research groups, and given responsibility for an individual project, culminating in a written abstract and research poster. Mathematics-focused research projects typically include work in applied mathematics and statistics, such as developing algorithms for high-performance computing, machine learning, multiscale modeling, and AI-based coastal flooding prediction. The program provides exposure to laboratory methods, research tools, and the academic environment of a major research university, complemented by weekly faculty lectures, specialized workshops, campus tours, and program events. At the final poster symposium, you will receive a stipend award.
8. New York University’s Summer Math Program for Young Scholars
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,500; limited scholarship support may be available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: August 10 – 28
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 – 11 who have taken Algebra I and scored a grade of B- or higher
The Summer Math Program for Young Scholars at NYU’s Center for Mathematical Talent is a three-week in-person course for high school students, offering structured exposure to advanced mathematical study and research-oriented thinking. You will engage with topics such as number theory, graph theory, topology, combinatorics, and computer science through lectures, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and independent assignments led by Courant faculty and graduate students. The program also includes weekly mathematical games and puzzle sessions, daily talks on the applications of mathematics and the college transition, and a group visit to the National Museum of Mathematics. On completing the program, you will receive a certificate and may request a non-credit NYU transcript.
9. New York University’s GSTEM
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost: $5,750 (tuition) + optional $3,840 (for housing and meals); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 11th graders
GSTEM is a six-week program for high school students interested in STEM research. Here, you will be paired with a faculty mentor to complete an individual research project in math and science. Mathematics-focused projects in the past have included topics such as plasma confinement modeling, the dynamics of dissolving materials, nonlinear systems in music, and impact-force analysis in granular systems. The program begins with an orientation week featuring social activities, guest lectures, and introductory workshops, and concludes with a symposium where you will present your research. You will gain direct experience in laboratory work, programming, data analysis, scientific writing, and research presentation, while also taking part in weekly field trips that highlight the work of women in STEM. On completing the program, you will receive an NYU transcript with your final grade.
10. Columbia University Pre-College Program: Mathematical Methods in Physics
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Residential: $12,764 | Commuter: $6,310; need-based financial aid available for commuters
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 29 – July 17
Application deadline: Early registration deadline: February 2 | General application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school students who have completed one year of high school algebra and one year of high school physics; calculus coursework is recommended but not required.
Designed for students interested in physics and mathematics, this pre-college program introduces the mathematical techniques used to understand and solve complex physical problems. You will learn to model systems, analyze data, conduct theoretical investigations, and interpret physical phenomena through a combination of research, lectures, problem-solving exercises, and project-based work. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and the development of intuition needed to address challenges in both theoretical and experimental physics. The course is designed to cover foundational concepts that can help those planning to pursue physics, engineering, mathematics, or related fields in college.
11. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for NYC students
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including mathematics, computational sciences, and statistics. You can choose a mentor whose interests lie in math and contribute to research while working with them. Over the course of eight weeks, you will find opportunities to refine scientific writing and communication skills over remote sessions. Additionally, you will learn about career paths while connecting with researchers and STEM professionals. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about all the STEM research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
12. Institute for Mathematics and Democracy’s High School Summer Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Late-June – Early-August (six weeks)
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: High school students
The Institute for Mathematical Democracy runs a six-week online summer research program for advanced high school students. Here, you will work in small groups on data-driven projects tailored to your backgrounds, often using real electoral or census data to explore mathematical and civic questions. You will meet twice weekly with instructors and connect with the full cohort each week for guest lectures from mathematicians and experts in democracy reform. The program also includes a dedicated session on the college application process and concludes with presentations of your research. Previous projects have examined topics such as the impact of court decisions on gerrymandering metrics, how changes to the size or apportionment of the U.S. House influence presidential elections, empirical tests of the Median Voter Theorem, and models of proportional representation and multi-member districts.
13. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual format available for NYC students
Cost: $3,750; need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 64 virtual participants/year
Dates: Session I: June 15 – July 3 | Session II: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11
SuMAC invites a select group of high school students to engage in advanced mathematical study through lectures, guided research, and collaborative problem solving. The program immerses you in an environment focused entirely on mathematics, where you will explore contemporary research areas, the historical development of major mathematical fields, and applications across the sciences. You will study topics such as abstract algebra, number theory, or algebraic topology, working at a pace and depth comparable to college-level coursework. Courses are conducted live and online and supported by undergraduate and graduate instructional assistants. SUMaC is designed for enrichment rather than academic credit, offering a demanding curriculum consisting of assignments, interactive problem sessions, online guest lectures, and opportunities to present final research projects.
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