14 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Dallas

If you are a high school student in Dallas who wants to explore and conduct independent scientific studies, participating in a research-based program or internship is a great next step! Engaging in research in high school can help you explore interesting problems in your field of choice, develop new skills, and learn from experienced researchers. 

Many research opportunities are virtual and come at no or low cost, making them accessible and flexible options. 

Your participation in a research program also boosts your college application profile, highlighting your interest in learning beyond the classroom. Many programs also end with a complete research paper that you can submit to research competitions.

Here, we have rounded up 14 research opportunities for high school students in Dallas. Whether you want to pursue research in astronomy, medicine, data science, business, psychology, or engineering, you will find a research opportunity that aligns with your interests.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual
Acceptance/Cohort size: Selective; one-on-one mentorship
Dates: Multiple cohorts lasting anywhere between 12 weeks and a year, depending on the program format you choose
Application deadline: August 24 for the next cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $2,990 – $8,900; need-based financial aid is available

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an online research experience for students interested in conducting independent research in a subject of choice. Here, research opportunities are available in various STEM, social science, and health fields. During the program, you will get to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design and complete a college-level research paper. The program also offers assistance with literature reviews and research planning through sessions with a writing coach. By the end of the session, you will have a completed research paper! You will also have the opportunity to present at a virtual research symposium and get support and resources to publish your work. 

2.  Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships 

Location: Multiple Texas sites, including the University of Texas at Dallas
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size information is unavailable 

Dates: 6 to 10 weeks in May–August; dates vary based on the lab

Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements vary for each AEOP internship opportunity 

Stipend: An educational stipend offered; exact details disclosed following selection

AEOP’s Internships are Army-sponsored research-based opportunities for high schoolers interested in STEM fields. If selected, you will engage in research under the guidance of a university researcher or a Department of Defence scientist. You may be assigned tasks such as modelling, experimentation, data collection and analysis, and comparison of datasets. The Dallas site specifically involves tasks like designing a database that measures the effects of sand particles on flow statistics. Additionally, you may assist in the identification of key-dimensional parameters that govern particle-blade interactions. The program also offers access to workshops, online tutorials, webinars, and learning materials to help you build academic and professional skills.

3. Veritas AI: AI Fellowship

Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: 12- to 15-week cohorts offered year-round
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; the next deadline is on July 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 with prior experience with Python or participation in AI Scholars
Cost: $5,400; need-based aid available

The AI Fellowship is an online opportunity to work on projects focusing on artificial intelligence under the mentorship of AI practitioners. Over 12–15 weeks, you will design and build a project that can involve research and scientific writing on an AI-based interdisciplinary topic of your choice. Throughout the program, you will receive support and feedback to help get your research work published in high school journals. You will also explore topics in your area of interest and machine learning concepts. The program also offers career development opportunities, optional showcase events, and hands-on exposure to AI. 

4. UT Dallas Intensive Research Internship in CS labs and Summer Research Workshops

Location: University of Texas at Dallas campus, Dallas, TX
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
Cost: $1,000 for the internship; $700 for the in-person workshop; discounts available for students from low-income families

As part of its computer science outreach, UT Dallas offers on-campus research opportunities, allowing you to spend eight weeks on lab or workshop-based research in computing, coding, AI, and related fields. In the Intensive Research Internship track, you will work closely with UT faculty and grad students on research and tasks like studying research papers, conducting simulations, developing applications or tools, etc. You can also register for Summer Research Workshops, which cover topics like quantum computing, programming, and data science. Here, you will also work on a final project or research paper and present it.

5. Welch Summer Scholars @ UT Dallas

Location: One of five Texas universities, including UT Dallas
Acceptance rate: Competitive; limited spots
Dates: June 8 – July 11
Application deadline: March 16; applications open in December
Eligibility: Texas high school sophomores and juniors
Cost: Free; includes housing and resources

Welch Summer Scholars is a five-week, in-person chemistry research experience at Texas universities, including UT Dallas. During the program, you will explore lab techniques, data analysis, and experimental design under the supervision of faculty and graduate students. You will work on authentic chemistry projects and present your findings in a symposium of peers. You will also participate in lectures, facility tours, workshops, group meetings, and site visits during the program.

6. UT Dallas Summer Biology Research Workshop

Location: UT Dallas Department of Biological Sciences, Dallas, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12
Cost: $2,000

The Biology Research Workshop is a four-week residential in-person program offered by the UT Dallas Department of Biological Sciences that allows you to work on a mentored research project. You will undergo training to learn about lab tools and the basics of biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and data analysis in the first week. Then, you will spend three weeks working with a mentor on a research project in biological sciences like neuroscience, cancer biology, and genomics. You will interact with university faculty and grad students, attend research seminars, and deliver a research presentation. You may get to develop scientific communication and lab safety skills in the process.

7. UT Southwestern Medical Center’s STARS Summer Research Opportunities

Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Stipend: Paid; amount not specified

Dates: June 2 – August 8

Application deadline: January 20; applications open on November 22

Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by June 1

The STARS, an initiative offered by UT Southwestern Medical Center, offers a series of programs and resources to students and teachers interested in science. The Summer Research Opportunities is an eight-week, non-residential program offering high school students the chance to conduct biomedical research alongside a faculty mentor. Here, you will work on a project, earn a stipend, and present your research findings at the program’s conclusion at UT Southwestern as well as at your school. The program focuses solely on research, offering you a chance to familiarize yourself with a modern biomedical research laboratory.

8. UT Austin and NASA’s SEES Summer Intern Program

Location: Virtual opportunities available for Dallas students
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~10; 215 students
Dates: Module-based learning: May 19 – July 1 + Virtual project work: June – July 19 + Virtual Symposium: July 21 and 22
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and U.S. citizens
Cost: None; travel scholarships may be available

Offered through a collaboration between UT Austin and NASA, the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)’s Summer Intern Program offers virtual and in-person research opportunities. Here, you will begin the program with online tutorials and data modules and then switch to project work, engaging in space research. You will work alongside NASA professionals and faculty, exploring remote sensing and scientific data analysis. The experience can help you develop an understanding of Earth systems, climate science, and natural hazards. You’ll also have access to mentorship, career insights, and opportunities to share your insights at the program’s conclusion.

9. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual projects available for Dallas students

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend

ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including engineering, statistics, computer science, medicine, and physics. You can choose a mentor offering a remote research format to engage in research and refine your scientific writing and communication skills over virtual sessions. During the program, you will learn about STEM career paths through discussion forums led by professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with a research symposium. You may also get to publish your work or present it at scientific conferences.  

10. Mohan Lab Internships at the University of Houston

Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX (~3 hours away from Dallas, TX)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~10 students accepted each year
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Cost/Stipend: Not specified

Mohan Lab offers 9- to 10-week summer internships to high schoolers interested in exploring cellular and molecular biology. As an intern, you will get to learn research techniques like microscopy, tissue culture, and protein assays while assisting with ongoing biomedical research. In the past, interns have worked on projects focusing on autoimmune diseases and cancer. Weekly meetings with faculty and grad students are also part of the experience. You may also get to continue your research, specifically manuscript writing and data analysis, beyond the internship period. 

11. UT Southwestern Medical Center’s STARS Summer Research Opportunities

Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available

Dates: June 2 – August 8

Application deadline: January 20; applications open on November 22

Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by June 1
Stipend: Available; amount not specified

The STARS, a program offered by the UT Southwestern Medical Center, is a series of opportunities and resources for students and teachers interested in science. The program’s Summer Research Opportunities are eight-week, non-residential experiences offering high school students the chance to conduct biomedical research alongside faculty mentors. Here, you will work on a project and present your research findings at the program’s conclusion at UT Southwestern as well as at your school. The program can provide you with a mentored research experience in a modern biomedical research laboratory.

12. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Remote
Cohort size: ~25 students

Dates: June 16 – 27

Application deadline: February 28

Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens | Preference is given to applicants who have previously worked on a healthcare project and/or have strong math or computer programming skills

Cost/Stipend: $850 and a $40 application fee; no stipend

Stanford AIMI (Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging) Summer Research Internship is a virtual program for high school students interested in learning about the role of AI in healthcare. Here, you will get to explore the basics of AI in the context of medicine and healthcare and work on solving a real-world medical challenge with the assistance of AI tools. Throughout the program, you will have access to mentorship offered by researchers and Stanford Student Leads. The internship also comes with opportunities to participate in social activities, group work sessions, and virtual interactive sessions led by guest speakers from backgrounds like nonprofits, academia, government, and industry. During the program, you will also come up with a research project, which you can continue working on after the program ends.

13. Stanford AI4ALL

Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – July 2

Application deadline: January 24

Eligibility: 9th graders/rising 10th graders who are over the age of 14
Cost: $4,000 | Financial aid is available.

StanfordAI4ALL is a virtual program offering an introduction to future and current real-world applications of AI. The two-week program also covers topics like medical AI, natural language processing, robotics, and computer vision through lectures, hands-on learning opportunities, research projects, and interactions with AI professionals and researchers. In the past, students have worked on developing AI/ML applications that analyze data to address a problem, like detecting patterns or the occurrence of certain diseases. You will also attend career development workshops. This experience can be an opportunity to explore how to use artificial intelligence to address societal challenges.

14. Texas A&M Camp SOAR

Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (2.5 hours away from Dallas, TX)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically early June
Application deadline: TBA; application window opens in early January
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school
Cost: A participation fee is involved, but the amount is not specified; scholarships are available

Camp SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research) is a five-day introduction to aerospace engineering and research offered at the Texas A&M campus. As a participant, you will design and build a project to explore the engineering design process. You can choose one of three tracks—airplanes, helicopters, and space. You will also tour aerospace research labs, hear from aerospace professionals, and engage in group-based problem-solving. You will participate in team activities, learn about aerospace research, and present your ideas to peers and faculty. 

Image source - Stanford University