15 Online Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you’re a high school student looking to take your learning beyond the classroom while simultaneously adding to your resume and college applications, consider participating in a research program. You’ll find research programs across a variety of subject areas, including STEM, cancer research, medicine, computer science, artificial intelligence, and more. Participating in these programs gives you the chance to improve practical skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, while also developing industry-specific skills and building your network.
What are the benefits of research in high school?
Research can help you strengthen your problem-solving, data analysis, and scientific communication skills while giving you a real sense of how a field actually works. Depending on the opportunity you choose, you could work on a project in AI, physics, neuroscience, or biomedical science, often alongside university faculty or industry mentors. Many programs also give you the chance to present your findings through a research paper, poster, or symposium, helping you build confidence and strengthen your college applications.
With that, here are 15 online research opportunities for high school students that you should check out.
If you’re looking for STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span AI and machine learning, mathematics, neuroscience, cancer research, earth science, quantum computing, physics, and environmental sustainability, so students with a wide range of research interests can find a relevant online opportunity.
Several programs are free, including MIT PRIMES-USA, sci-MI, Stanford SPINWIP, MathQuantum Fellowships, UCLA Neuroscience, NASA SEES, and Seaside Sustainability, while others, such as Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology, offer a $500 stipend and EDIT ML is free with no cost to participate.
Programs vary significantly in length and commitment, from two-week intensives (Stanford AIMI, Stanford AI4ALL) to year-long research cycles (MIT PRIMES-USA, Seaside Sustainability), so students can choose based on their availability and the depth of engagement they want.
Application deadlines range from September to December (MIT PRIMES-USA) to June (NC State GTI Online Research Academy), with several programs, such as Veritas AI and Lumiere, accepting rolling applications year-round.
1. MIT’s PRIMES-USA
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long
Application Deadline: September – December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores residing in the United States outside the Greater Boston area; More info here
MIT PRIMES-USA is a year-long, virtual research program that gives you the chance to spend time on unsolved problems in mathematics and applied mathematics projects (both individual and group projects). You will also receive mentorship from MIT and other universities' graduates and faculty. The program is divided into four phases that require you to participate in advanced readings, conduct independent research, and research under the guidance of your mentor, and take the time to write up and finalize your project. By the end of the program, you will have to present your project at the Fall-Term PRIMES conference and create a final paper summarizing your work, which will be posted on the PRIMES website. You will also have the option of submitting this paper to national science competitions or professional research journals.
2. Veritas AI: AI Fellowship
Location: Online
Cost: Varies (financial aid offered)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a background in coding or those who have completed the AI Scholars program
Veritas AI offers high school students passionate about AI the chance to participate in programs that include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. One of these programs is the AI Fellowship program, which allows you to spend over 15 weeks pursuing an independent research project. For your research topic, you can choose to combine AI with any other field of interest. To participate, you will be expected to have a basic understanding of Python or will be recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $45 application fee + $2,400 (financial aid offered); Unpaid
Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with strong math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship aims to give high school students an extensive introduction to AI in health and medicine through lectures, mentorship, and collaborative project work. Over the course of two weeks, you will learn about the role AI plays in clinical and research settings. The lectures you’ll attend will be led by Stanford researchers or clinicians and cover topics such as medical imaging AI, machine learning basics, responsible AI, and more. You’ll also be placed in small teams, where you’ll work on a focused health AI research project, which will teach you research essentials like framing questions, exploring data, and communicating your findings. Aside from this, the program also offers a “Meet-the-Expert Speaker Series,” during which you will hear from guest speakers from academia, industry, and beyond as they discuss real-world AI applications and career pathways.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Online
Cost: Varies (financial aid offered)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive research program that provides one-on-one research opportunities for high school students across a wide range of subject areas, including biology, physics, economics, data science, engineering, chemistry, and more. As a participant, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor who will work with you on an independent research project and offer their guidance. Upon completing the 12-week program, you will have produced an original research paper. For additional information about the application process, visit here; to read student reviews of the program, see here and here.
5. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 taxable stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 20 participants per year
Dates: July 13 – 25
Application Deadline: January 12 – March 22
Eligibility: High school students residing in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana; Must have a strong interest in a career in scientific research or medicine
The Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology offers students interested in science and medicine the chance to learn about biomedical career pathways, especially in cancer and cancer research. You will spend around two weeks working on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study project through which you will learn about the different aspects of cancer science and care. You’ll also attend faculty lectures, panel discussions, and workshops that offer guidance on biomedical career pathways. The program also gives you an at-home laboratory kit, with which you will gain hands-on cancer research experience.
6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Online + In-person options
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 (financial aid offered)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 15+ (remote internships)
ASSIP gives you the chance to gain research experience and work alongside researchers from George Mason University and other institutions. You can choose from a wide range of research areas, including STEM, molecular medicine, astronomy, psychology, robotics, computer science, mathematical modeling, and more. As a participant, you will learn to work with advanced technology and develop essential STEM skills. You will also improve your scientific writing and communication skills and attend discussion forums and meetings that spotlight various STEM career paths. By the end of the program, you will have completed a research project and earned three college credits from George Mason University.
7. EDIT ML High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 91 participants annually
Dates: June 13 – August 31
Application Deadline: March 1; Rolling from April 15 (late)
Eligibility: High school students from different socio-economic and geographic backgrounds with experience in Python and an interest in biomedical research
During the EDIT ML High School Summer Internship Program, you will explore the intersection of medicine and AI and develop technical skills. You’ll learn about how AI can be used to tackle complex biomedical problems, such as finding solutions for cancer-related challenges. The program consists of three tracks: the Skills Track, during which you will learn fundamental programming and machine learning techniques; the Advanced Track, where you will engage in research, publication efforts, and innovative projects; and the Peer Mentor Track, which combines research responsibilities with mentoring roles. You will also receive mentorship from biomedical researchers and clinicians affiliated with various departments at Dartmouth, including Pathology, Oncology, Radiology, and others.
8. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: Online
Cost: Free (virtual)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: May 15 – July 21 (see specified here)
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. current high school sophomores or juniors (16+) with a strong interest in STEM
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) program gives you the chance to work with NASA, academic, and industry professionals, all while gaining practical research experience across various STEM disciplines. This includes engineering, data analysis, and systems modeling. As a participant, you will get to explore research in areas like astronomy, space geodetic techniques, planetary science, aerospace, and more. Along the way, you will also develop skills in collaboration, design thinking, and communication. You can learn more about the potential projects available here.
9. Science Mentorship Institute (sci-MI)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Science Mentorship Institute (sci-MI) encourages interest in science and research through open-science models and free resources like scientific literature, textbooks, encyclopedias, and datasets. They also offer high school students the chance to benefit from a research mentorship. As a participant, you will be paired with a mentor who will offer advice and support as you work on a research project. You can choose from subject areas like neuroscience, biology, computer science, electrical engineering, chemistry, and more. This program is free for all and open to students from around the world.
10. Stanford AI4ALL Online
Location: Online
Cost: $4,120 (financial aid offered)
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 26
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: 9th graders (ages 14-16) with an interest in artificial intelligence
Stanford AI4ALL is a virtual and residential program that offers you the chance to explore AI. As a participant, you will engage with professionals, hear about cutting-edge ideas in the industry, and learn about the societal impacts of AI. You will also work on a research project, attend guest lectures, and better understand how to pursue a career in STEM. The program offers a mentored experience, giving you the chance to work on small-group research projects led by graduate students and post-docs in Computer Science and AI. You can choose from these four research areas: Computer Vision, Medical AI, Robotics, and Natural Language Processing.
11. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: 9th-11th graders (more details here) who are first-generation students or are from underrepresented backgrounds in physics
SPINWIP is a virtual program hosted by the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology alongside the Stanford Physics Department that aims to develop an interest in physics. For around three weeks, you will explore subject areas like quantum computing, astrophysics, quantum physics, and more. You will also learn how to code in Python and then apply these skills to a physics-based project. Aside from this, you will attend lectures and college and career prep workshops and work in small groups led by Stanford undergraduates. To learn more about the program, please see the syllabus here.
12. MathQuantum High School Fellowships
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 10 students
Dates: 2 weeks
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: High school students interested in mathematics, computer science, physics, or quantum science
The MathQuantum High School Fellowships aim to fill the gap in knowledge between research in mathematics and quantum information science. During the program, you may participate in mentored research and interdisciplinary training, attend seminars and lectures, and work on a mini-project. You’ll also get to attend professional development workshops and benefit from networking opportunities. The program does not offer a stipend, but it may offer paid attendance to the Qubit by Qubit High School Summer Camp.
13. UCLA Neuroscience High School Virtual Summer Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: High school students considering a career in neuroscience
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Virtual Summer Program offers an introduction to the brain and the nervous system. You will spend around six weeks exploring various neuroscience topics in relation to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The program offers live seminars on fundamental neuroscience topics, conversations with guest speakers from medicine and research, and virtual lab activities that introduce research tools and methods. You’ll also take part in “Neurology Grand Rounds,” during which you will learn about current neurological topics from clinicians and researchers. Aside from this, you’ll be a part of a journal club, in which you will analyze neuroscience literature and work on a final research project. The program will end with a presentation of your findings.
14. NC State GTI’s Online Research Academy
Location: Online
Cost: $1,295 (scholarships offered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1 – June 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders and above
NC State GTI’s Online Research Academy gives you the chance to work on a college-level research project under the guidance and mentorship of NC State faculty. The program goes beyond theory and allows you to learn about fundamental research methodologies, which you will apply to your project. You’ll get to choose from a diverse range of project topics, including ones like Financial Math & Algorithmic Modeling: Quantitative Research in Derivative Markets, Autonomous Robot Navigation: Simulation and Algorithm Design for Intelligent Mobility, Genetics: Genomic Prospecting and In Silico Metabolic Modeling for Sustainable Bioremediation, and more. By the end of the program, you will receive a GTI program certificate and a letter of evaluation from your mentor.
15. Seaside Sustainability Internships – Green Scholars
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None (credit may be offered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies; Minimum of 15 hours a week for 5 months
Application Deadline: Varies by internship role
Eligibility: High school students
Seaside Sustainability offers internships for high school students that give you the chance to contribute to critical projects. You will learn how to write professionally and research effectively, as well as develop and present project findings, results, or updates to a cross-functional team. As a high school intern, you will be placed in the Green Scholars department, which offers a project-based, honors-level high school curriculum. The work you do will vary by team; the available teams include Environmental Literacy, Professional Skills, Project Management, and Program Management.
Frequently asked questions
1. What online research opportunities are available for high school students?
Options include mathematics and computer science programs, such as MIT PRIMES-USA and Veritas AI Fellowship, AI and data science programs, such as Stanford AIMI, Stanford AI4ALL, and EDIT ML, biomedical and cancer research programs, such as Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology and Lumiere Research Scholar Program, neuroscience programs, such as UCLA Neuroscience Virtual Summer Program, and earth science and physics programs, such as NASA SEES and Stanford SPINWIP.
2. Are there free online research programs for high school students?
Yes, MIT PRIMES-USA, sci-MI, Stanford SPINWIP, MathQuantum Fellowships, UCLA Neuroscience Virtual Summer Program, NASA SEES, EDIT ML, and Seaside Sustainability are all free. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology is free and provides a $500 stipend. Veritas AI, Lumiere, Stanford AIMI, and ASSIP charge tuition but offer need-based financial aid.
3. Which online research programs are best for students interested in AI or computer science?
Students interested in AI or computer science might consider Veritas AI Fellowship for independent AI research with a mentor, Stanford AIMI for an introduction to AI in healthcare and medical imaging, Stanford AI4ALL for project-based AI research in areas such as computer vision and natural language processing, EDIT ML for machine learning applied to biomedical problems, and Lumiere Research Scholar Program for independent research across computer science or data science fields.
4. When should I apply to online research opportunities for high school students?
The earliest deadlines are MIT PRIMES-USA (December 1) and Stanford AIMI (December 15 to February 20). Other early deadlines include MathQuantum Fellowships (February 13), Stanford AI4ALL (February 6), and UCLA Neuroscience (February 9). Programs, such as Veritas AI and Lumiere, accept rolling applications year-round, while NC State GTI accepts applications through June 15, giving students with later starts more flexibility.