15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Toronto
Are you a high school student in Toronto looking for ways to explore academic research before college? A local research program could be your chance to explore new ideas, learn from mentors, and build academic experience outside the classroom. Research programs help you understand how research works across subjects like biology, engineering, environmental science, health, and social studies.
You might attend workshops, analyze data, join lab teams, or present your findings at research events. Many programs also include guidance on writing research papers or preparing for college-level study. This experience shows colleges you’re inquisitive and ready to take on new challenges.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 15 research opportunities for high school students in Toronto!
15 Research Opportunities for High School Students in Toronto
1. University of Toronto - SPRINT
Location: University of Toronto St. George Campus
Cost: Free
Dates: July 15- July 26 (tentative, based on previous year dates)
Application Deadline: Applications open in April/May
Eligibility: All high school students in Ontario; special preference given to students entering grades 11 and 12
SPRINT is a free, ten-day summer research program at the University of Toronto for high school students who are curious about psychology. You get placed in research labs, where you help with tasks like running experiments, collecting data, and asking questions about how the mind and behavior work. You’re paired with a mentor and also join group workshops and discussions to learn what studying psychology in college is really like.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
3. DEEP Summer Academy
Location: University of Toronto St. George Campus
Cost: $725/week for domestic students; $1100/week for international students
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions between July 7 - August 15
Application Deadline: Round 1 (Early Bird): Feb 25 - Mar 23; Round 2: Mar 24 - April 13
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 9-12 with strong performance in science and math
The Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) is a one-week summer program at the University of Toronto for high school students who are serious about STEM. You’ll study advanced topics like robotics, data science, biomedical engineering, and cybersecurity through a mix of lectures, labs, and group projects. You will work with graduate students and alumni as instructors, and get a feel for what university-level engineering is like.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote - you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across many subjects you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project.
At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Emily Stowe Scholars Program
Location: Women’s College Hospital, Toronto
Cost: None. A stipend of 17.2 CAD per hour is provided.
Dates: July 8 to August 16
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11 or 12 who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or a member of another racialized group.
The Emily Stowe Scholars Program (ESSP) is a paid summer program in Toronto for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in health and science. You’ll help with research projects, learn from mentors in healthcare, and explore how topics like identity and social justice connect with science. The program also includes weekly workshops on health careers, how to apply to university, and how to build confidence as a young scholar.
6. Sunnybrook Research Institute
Location: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free. Pays a stipend.
Dates: Tentatively July - August
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 (must be 16 by July 1), eligible to work in Canada
The Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program is a paid, eight-week internship at Sunnybrook’s Focused Ultrasound Lab in Toronto. As a full-time participant, you work on real research projects in areas like physics, biology, engineering, or programming, alongside professional scientists. You’ll gain hands-on lab experience, take part in regular seminars, and build research skills that prepare you for future work in medical science or engineering.
7. SciHigh – Quinn Family Summer Internship Program
Location: Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Cost: Free; this is a paid internship ($17.20/hour for 37.5 hours/week)
Dates: June 30 - August 22
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Students in Grade 11 or 12, age 16 or older, who have taken Grade 11 Biology and Chemistry, can work in Canada, and meet Sinai Health’s vaccination rules.
SciHigh is a paid, full-time, eight-week summer internship at one of Canada’s top biomedical research institutes. As a high school student, you’ll join a lab and take part in ongoing research by shadowing graduate students and postdocs, running experiments, and learning how science happens day to day. You’ll also attend seminars, meet researchers, and get a close look at careers in medicine, biology, and other health-related fields.
8. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost: Free (unpaid internship)
Dates: Available year-round. Check the website for more details.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with at least one honors-level science or English course; minimum GPA of 3.25
EnergyMag offers remote internships for high school students who want to explore renewable energy and energy storage. You’ll work independently on research projects that analyze technologies, companies, or market trends, all while receiving guidance from a mentor through daily check-ins and ongoing feedback. As an intern, you'll build practical skills in research, communication, and analysis from home. If your work is strong, it may be published on EnergyMag’s website, and all participants receive a letter of accomplishment to recognize their efforts.
9. University of Toronto Medicine Youth Summer Program
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus (Toronto, Canada)
Cost: CAD 1,668 per module; Additional one-time registration fee: CAD 98 (non-refundable)
Dates: Module 1: Human Physiology – July 7-11; Module 2: Pharmacology & Toxicology – July 14-18; Module 3: Molecular Biology and Genetics – July 21-25; Module 4: Microbiology – July 28-August 1
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 12. Early registration is recommended due to limited spots
Eligibility: Open to Canadian and international students in grades 10 to 12; grade 9 students may apply to Module 4 only.
The Medicine Youth Summer Program (YSP) is an in-person, week-long academic experience for high school students, held at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus in the heart of the city’s Medical Discovery District. You’ll get hands-on exposure to medical science through lab work, lectures, and interactive discussions with instructors. Each module focuses on a core subject like physiology, microbiology, genetics, or pharmacology, and you can sign up for one or multiple weeks depending on your interests.
10. Youreka Canada
Location: In-person at university campuses across Canada
Cost: Registration fee - CAD 80
Dates: The program runs for 10 weeks between January-April
Application Deadline: Kingston: December 28; All other regions: January 6
Eligibility: Canadian students in grades 9 to 12, CEGEP, or first year at Queen’s University. No virtual option for international applicants.
Youreka is a 10-week research and mentorship program for high school and first-year students, based at seven different university campuses across Canada, including Queen’s University. You’ll join a small research team led by an undergraduate mentor and work on real-world projects using data, experiments, and scientific writing.
Each week features workshops on topics like experimental design, statistics, and how to use the R programming language to understand big datasets. You’ll share your findings through presentations and take part in final symposia. Some teams even get the chance to publish their research after a formal review. Past projects have focused on public health, bioinformatics, and how social systems work.
11. SickKids StAR Internship Program
Location: SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
Cost/Stipend:
Dates: 6 weeks during summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grade 11 or 12, at least 16 years old by program start, with Grade 10 Science completed. Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents with a valid SIN who identify as Black, Filipino, or Indigenous.
The SickKids StAR Program is a six-week paid summer internship at the SickKids Research Institute in Toronto, designed for high school students from Indigenous, Black, or Filipino backgrounds. You’ll be matched with a research lab and work alongside professionals, gaining lab experience, learning new techniques, and presenting your findings at a final research symposium.
The program helps you explore careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM). Beyond lab work, you’ll join career development sessions and activities through the Kids Science program, guided by mentors who can show you what a future in research looks like.
12. UHN STEM Pathways
Location: In-person (Toronto-based) and virtual offerings available
Cost: Free
Dates: Schools or groups can request a visit or program directly through the UHN website.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades K to 12. Open to schools, classrooms, and community groups, with priority given to underserved communities.
UHN STEM Pathways is a free outreach program based in Toronto that helps students from kindergarten to Grade 12 explore science, technology, engineering, and math. Run by the University Health Network, it gives you the chance to meet scientists, visit research labs, and take part in hands-on STEM activities.
The program includes both virtual and in-person experiences like workshops, expert panels, and school visits, led by professionals working in health science and tech. UHN STEM Pathways puts a special focus on reaching underserved communities, making STEM opportunities more accessible to students across Ontario and beyond.
13. Law Youth Summer Program
Location: University of Toronto Faculty of Law, St. George campus
Cost: CAD 1,125 (March Break); CAD 1,175 per summer module; One-time non-refundable registration fee: CAD 98
Dates: March Break: In the Shoes of a Law Student - March 10-14; Corporate Law: June 30-July 4; July 28-Aug 1; Aug 11-15; Criminal Law: July 7-11; Aug 4-8; International Law: July 14-18; Social Justice: July 21-25
Application Deadline: Summer registration opens February 12. No formal deadline; applications are accepted on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis
Eligibility: Open to Canadian and international students currently in Grades 10-12
The Law Youth Summer Program (YSP) at the University of Toronto gives high school students a chance to study Canadian and international law at one of Canada’s top law schools. Each one-week session focuses on topics like criminal law, human rights, corporate negotiation, and social justice, using a mix of lectures, debates, legal simulations, and field trips. The March Break module gives you a taste of what law school is really like, while summer modules dive deeper into specific areas of law.
14. Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag - Indigenous Youth Program
Location: University of Toronto, Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design
Cost: Paid program (participants are employed)
Dates: Summer, seven consecutive weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified, check the website
Eligibility: Toronto-based Indigenous youth, ages 15-25
Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag is a paid summer program for Indigenous youth, run by the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty. You work full-time on real design and conservation projects while learning from Elders, architects, artists, and environmental experts. You’ll explore the land, make your deer-skin drum, take part in cultural field trips, and learn how to blend traditional knowledge with sustainable design.
15. Math Mentorship Program
Location: University of Toronto, Department of Mathematics
Cost: $255
Dates: January – May
Application Deadline: November 9 (based on previous year dates)
Eligibility: Grade 9-12 students
The Math Mentorship Program at the University of Toronto is a research opportunity for high school students across Canada. You work with a mentor, either a graduate student, professor, or researcher from January to May, developing a real math research project together. Meetings happen online or in person at the St. George campus, and you explore new ideas, solve problems, and get feedback as your project grows. It starts with an opening event and ends with a celebration where you present your work. Some top students get to share their research at a national math conference.
Image source - Lumiere Education