14 Physics Summer Research Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in physics, a research program can help you explore the field and build skills during the summer. These programs allow you to apply what you’ve learned in class to experiments and projects, helping you build academic and professional skills, such as data analysis, collaboration, and critical thinking. Many programs also provide mentorship from experienced researchers, giving you guidance and insight as you explore your interests and plan for college or future research opportunities.
What are the benefits of a physics research program?
By joining a physics research program, you’ll get to explore topics such as quantum mechanics, astrophysics, or particle physics in ways that go beyond textbooks. You might conduct experiments in labs, analyze datasets, or design simulations, while collaborating with mentors and peers to explore advanced concepts in physics. These experiences can help you understand how research actually works while building a foundation for future studies in physics, engineering, or other STEM fields.
To help with your search, we have a list of 14 physics summer research programs for high school students.
If you are looking for online chemistry programs, check out our blog here.
1. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL
Cost/Stipend: None | $500 weekly
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application deadline: January 13 – March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors or rising graduates enrolled in an Illinois high school; Must be U.S. citizens
Fermilab’s PRISM is a four-week summer program for high school seniors and recent graduates that immerses participants in the world of advanced scientific research. Each week focuses on a different theme, covering subjects like quantum physics, artificial intelligence, particle science, and engineering design. You’ll engage in hands-on experiments, attend lectures from Fermilab scientists, and participate in lab tours that showcase the facility’s ongoing research. The physics summer research program for high school students integrates mentorship and professional development sessions to help you navigate STEM pathways in college and beyond. Participants also produce a research abstract and final presentation.
2. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens at least 16 years of age with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
The AFRL Program connects high school, undergraduate, and graduate students with Air Force scientists and engineers conducting real-world research. For upper-level high school students, this paid summer internship offers the chance to assist in projects related to aerospace systems, artificial intelligence, atomic physics, or data analysis. Depending on your placement, you might work on software design, experimental setup, or satellite fault modelling, all while learning how these efforts contribute to national defence and technology innovation. Interns earn a weekly stipend and receive mentorship from experienced researchers within government laboratories.
3. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students who have either completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
The Veritas AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is a 15-week virtual research experience that allows high school students to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and their field of interest, including physics. Designed for learners with foundational Python knowledge, the fellowship pairs you one-on-one with mentors from top universities to develop and complete independent AI research projects. Under guided supervision, you’ll apply AI tools and data analysis techniques to real-world problems and produce a research paper that can be submitted to student journals or presented at academic showcases.
4. Texas Tech University – Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free | $750
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 17 years of age by the start of the program and are graduating this year or the next year
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week residential summer research program for twelve high-achieving high school juniors and seniors. You will be paired with Texas Tech faculty mentors to conduct original research in a field of their choice, including opportunities in physics through the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering departments. You may assist with experimental design, data collection, or computational modelling in areas such as radar systems, millimetre-wave sensing, or image-guided technology. The program combines independent research with weekly seminars, field trips, and discussions on ethics and professional development. Scholars receive full room and board, and a $750 stipend upon completion of a final report summarising their findings.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions of varying lengths (12 weeks–1 year) available, including summer cohorts
Application deadline: Varies by cohort/multiple cohorts run each year, including in the summer
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an online research mentorship initiative founded by scholars from Harvard and Oxford, designed to help high school students conduct independent, college-level research under expert guidance. Over 12 to 16 weeks, you will work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to explore a research question in a chosen field—physics being one of the tracks available. Students learn to formulate research questions, conduct literature reviews, and develop a comprehensive academic paper that synthesises their findings. The program includes writing support, workshops on methodology, and opportunities to present work at the Lumiere Research Symposium.
6. MIT’s Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: None | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students per cohort
Dates: June 22–August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors worldwide
The Research Science Institute at MIT is a six-week, fully funded summer program that brings together top high school students from around the world for advanced STEM research. This prestigious physics summer research program for high school students begins with one week of intensive coursework in subjects like physics, biology, and computer science, after which students conduct five weeks of mentored research. You’ll engage in experimental or theoretical investigations, review scientific literature, and prepare both written and oral presentations of your results. The experience culminates in a conference-style symposium where participants present their findings to peers and faculty. Students also have full access to MIT’s research facilities, labs, and libraries throughout the program.
7. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and graduating high school seniors with U.S. work authorization
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship allows high school seniors to participate in real scientific research centred on plasma physics and fusion energy. Conducted at the PPPL facility, the program pairs students with experienced scientists and engineers who guide them through active research projects. Depending on your background, you may engage in computational modelling, data analysis, or engineering design using Python, Java, or CAD tools. You will gain hands-on experience with experimental or simulation-based research methods, contributing directly to ongoing studies in clean energy and fusion science. The physics summer research program for high school students expects strong preparation in subjects like physics, chemistry, and math, along with familiarity with programming or design.
8. Laboratory Learning Program @ Princeton University
Location: Princeton University main campus, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Five or six weeks during the summer (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. high school who are 16 years old by June 15; certain research opportunities may have additional eligibility criteria.
LLP at Princeton University is a free, full-time summer research experience for local high school students interested in science and engineering, including physics. Spanning five to six weeks, this outreach initiative places you in active research labs, working directly with Princeton faculty and research staff on ongoing projects. Depending on placement, you might investigate topics like photonics, robotics, or sustainable energy systems, gaining experience in experimental design and data analysis. The program runs during regular weekday hours, with schedules determined by the hosting laboratory. Students are expected to produce a summary report of their work at the end of the program, reflecting both their findings and the techniques learned.
9. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors; U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents; At least 16 years of age by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University offers talented high school juniors the opportunity to conduct hands-on research under the mentorship of university faculty. Over six weeks, you will join active research teams in fields like physics, chemistry, or engineering, gaining experience in experimental methods, data analysis, and scientific reporting. During the application process, you can select physics-related mentors and projects that align with your interests. The program includes weekly faculty lectures, workshops, and lab tours designed to broaden understanding of contemporary research. Each participant prepares a written abstract and presents a poster summarising their project at a closing symposium.
10. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, Maryland, or Boulder, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks starting the second or third week of June
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are U.S. citizens
SHIP at the National Institute of Standards and Technology provides an eight-week research experience for high school juniors and seniors at NIST’s Maryland or Colorado campuses. You will be matched with scientists or engineers working in fields such as materials science, physics, or engineering, contributing to projects that support national standards and measurement accuracy. You might assist in the Physical Measurement Laboratory, working on precision measurement, optics, or nanotechnology research. Daily tasks can include conducting experiments, collecting and analysing data, or supporting technical modelling. Participants also attend research seminars and complete a final presentation summarising their project.
11. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Michigan State University, MI
Cost/Stipend: None | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24-25 students annually
Dates: July 20–26
Application deadline: Early December - early March
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students who are currently at the high school level
The PAN program, hosted by the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University, is a free, week-long summer experience for high school students. The program introduces participants to the study of atomic nuclei and their role in astrophysics and cosmology through lectures, experiments, and guided lab activities. You’ll conduct hands-on nuclear physics experiments, use detection equipment, and explore connections between subatomic particles and cosmic phenomena. Participants also tour research facilities, interact with scientists, and discuss current questions in nuclear and particle physics. The experience includes room and board on campus and concludes with presentations and discussions that further help you understand both the science and its broader implications.
12. GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women)
Location: Boston University campus
Cost/Stipend: None | Up to $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 20%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Current juniors enrolled in a school in Massachusetts living within a 30-mile radius of Boston | At least 16 years old by July 1
Hosted by Boston University, the GROW program is a six-week summer research experience for rising high school seniors from the Boston area. After an initial two-day orientation, you will be placed in university labs to contribute to ongoing projects in disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, or engineering. Those interested in physics can work on experimental or computational projects under the supervision of BU faculty and graduate mentors. In addition to research, participants attend science communication workshops, career panels, and site visits to research institutions, gaining exposure to various STEM fields. Program staff meet regularly with students to guide progress and help prepare for the final symposium, where participants present their research findings to peers and faculty.
13. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics
Location: Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $8,000 (financial aid available) | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, 32 students
Dates: June 23 – August 3
Application deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors at least 15.5 years old by the start of the program
The Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics is a six-week physics summer research program for high school students interested in astronomy and physics. It begins with two weeks of online coursework that introduce topics in astrophysics, data analysis, and programming, followed by four weeks of residential study and research at Yale University. During the on-campus portion, you’ll attend lectures in stellar physics, learn to use the telescopes at the Leitner Observatory, and analyse data collected from both local and remote observatories. Students live in dorms and collaborate in small teams to complete research projects, which culminate in a written paper and presentation at a mini-conference. The program also focuses on developing computational, statistical, and communication skills.
14. UPenn Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $5,500 + additional costs | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 11 - August 1
Application deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students; Minimum 3.3 high school GPA; TOEFL scores required are 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), or 600 (PBT), an IELTS score of 7, and a Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 120
The Experimental Physics Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania is a residential summer program that gives high school students an in-depth understanding of modern physics through theory, experimentation, and discussion. Over several weeks, you’ll study topics such as mechanics, electromagnetism, astrophysics, and quantum dynamics, while also exploring the philosophy and ethics of science. Daily lectures are complemented by laboratory sessions, projects, and interactive discussions that connect theoretical physics with real-world applications. Each week, Penn faculty deliver research talks that introduce participants to active investigations across different physics subfields.
Image source - Princeton University