20 Research Programs for High School Students
Doing research is one of the most effective ways for a high school student to move beyond the standard curriculum and explore a subject in real depth. Whether you want to publish a paper, work alongside scientists in a university lab, or simply find out how a field operates day to day, the right program gives you genuine mentorship and hands-on experience. Research programs for high school students also strengthen college applications by demonstrating initiative, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to handle advanced, self-directed work.
These opportunities vary widely in format. Some are fully virtual and mentor-driven, others place you in a residential lab at a major research university, and many pair rigorous inquiry with professional development and a final presentation or paper. Because the options differ so much in cost, structure, and subject area, it is worth comparing several research programs for high school students before deciding where to apply.
Why should you do a research program in high school?
A quality research program offers far more than a line on your resume. You learn how to frame a strong research question, review existing literature, analyze data, and communicate findings — transferable skills that serve you in any college major or career. Many programs connect you with Ph.D. mentors, faculty, and like-minded peers, and some end with a published paper or a symposium presentation. The best research programs for high school students help you clarify what you actually want to study before you set foot on a college campus.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 20 research programs for high school students spanning STEM, biomedical science, engineering, AI, the humanities, and multidisciplinary research.
If you are looking for remote options, check out our blog to online research opportunities for high school students here!
Key Takeaways
Formats span fully virtual, mentor-driven research (Lumiere, Veritas AI, Horizon, and MIT PRIMES via its PRIMES-USA track), residential university programs (RSI, SIMR, the Summer Science Program, and RMP at UC Santa Barbara), and commuter lab placements (MSK, the Rockefeller SSRP, DUNE, and Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program).
Many research programs for high school students are free or paid. RSI, MIT PRIMES, the Rockefeller SSRP, Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program, and CMU SAMS charge no tuition, while stipend-bearing options include Navy SEAP ($4,000–$4,500), the Broad Summer Scholars Program ($3,600), the Summer Science Program (up to $3,000), NYU ARISE ($2,000), MSK ($1,200), and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program ($750). Lumiere and Veritas AI vary by program type and offer full financial aid.
The list spans a wide range of fields: AI and data science (Veritas AI and the UChicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab), biomedical and cancer research (SIMR, MSK, Broad, Rockefeller SSRP, and DUNE), engineering (NYU ARISE, Navy SEAP, and NASA OSTEM), mathematics (MIT PRIMES and RSI), and the humanities and social sciences (Horizon, Anson L. Clark, and RMP).
Several rank among the most selective research programs for high school students, including RSI, the MSK Summer Student Program, and the Simons Summer Research Program, which also requires a school nomination.
Eligibility varies widely. Some programs are open to students worldwide (Lumiere, Veritas AI, Horizon, RSI, and SSP), while many are restricted by location or residency (MSK, DUNE, NYU ARISE, Princeton, UChicago DSI, and Broad) or require U.S. citizenship (SIMR, CMU SAMS, NASA OSTEM, and Navy SEAP).
Application deadlines cluster between November and March, with Navy SEAP (November 1) and MIT PRIMES (December 1) among the earliest; most university lab programs close in January and February, so it is best to prepare applications in the fall.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (tuition, housing, and meals covered)
Application deadline: Early December
Program dates: Late June to early August
Eligibility: High school juniors; must be at least 16 by the program start (seniors are not eligible)
RSI, sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education and hosted at MIT, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious research programs for high school students in the world. It opens with a week of intensive coursework led by accomplished professors, followed by a five-week independent research project with a mentor in a university or industry lab. Participants are expected to produce work comparable to early-stage academic research, culminating in a written paper and a conference-style presentation. Throughout the program, students attend lectures by leading scientists and work alongside a highly accomplished peer group.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free to attend (application fee applies); need-based stipends starting at $500
Application deadline: February 21
Program dates: June 8 to July 30
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; 16+; U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending school in the U.S.
SIMR is an eight-week program that gives students direct exposure to how research happens inside a major medical school. Participants join a Stanford lab and work closely with a mentor on a medically focused project across areas such as immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, and genetics. Much of the experience is full-time lab work, with early lectures on key concepts in biology and medicine and a final research poster presentation. Students can also choose a bioengineering track to tailor the experience to their interests.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
5. MIT PRIMES
Location: Greater Boston (in-person) / Remote nationwide via PRIMES-USA
Cost: Free
Application deadline: December 1
Program dates: Year-long
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in the U.S.; a strong background in advanced mathematics is expected
MIT PRIMES is a year-long research initiative where students work on unsolved problems in mathematics and related fields such as theoretical computer science and computational biology, guided by MIT graduate students and researchers. The program moves through distinct phases: advanced reading, guided research, independent work, and a formal write-up. The pace mirrors real research rather than a compressed summer schedule, letting students develop a single project over roughly a year. It concludes with a conference presentation and a polished paper suitable for competitions or journals.
6. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. 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 subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
7. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No tuition; students cover housing/dining or commuting costs; stipend awarded at the closing symposium
Application deadline: February 5
Program dates: Late June to early August (about seven weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors; must be nominated by their school; 16+ by the start
In the Simons Summer Research Program, students are matched with a faculty mentor and integrated into an active lab, contributing to ongoing research in science, math, or engineering. Day-to-day work involves learning lab techniques, analyzing data, and collaborating with researchers. A distinctive feature is the nomination requirement: your school must select you before you can apply, adding a layer of selectivity to the process. Fellows also experience campus life at a major research university and present a final research poster.
8. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: No cost; $750 stipend upon completion
Application deadline: February 16
Program dates: Late June to early August (seven weeks)
Eligibility: Rising seniors or recent graduates (at least 17 by the start); U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program places students directly into a university lab or project for seven weeks of one-on-one work with a faculty mentor. Unusually, it spans disciplines from the natural sciences and computer science to the humanities and social sciences. With only 12 students selected each year, the program offers an exceptionally personalized and intensive introduction to scholarly research. Alongside their projects, scholars attend weekly seminars, join discussions, and present a final research report.
9. Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan, NY (commuter; no housing)
Cost: Free; $1,200 stipend upon completion
Application deadline: February 6
Program dates: Late June to late August (eight weeks)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with a permanent address within 25 miles of MSK's main campus; minimum 3.5 GPA in science; 14+
The MSK Summer Student Program places high school juniors in active biomedical research labs at one of the world's leading cancer research institutions. Each student works full-time under a faculty mentor on a self-directed project spanning areas such as cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, pharmacology, and structural biology. This is one of the most selective research programs for high school students, admitting roughly 20 students from more than 1,000 applications. Students attend lab meetings, engage with the wider MSK community, and present at a closing poster session.
10. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; $3,600 stipend plus partial travel support
Application deadline: January 21
Program dates: Late June to early August (six weeks)
Eligibility: Rising seniors at a Massachusetts high school within commuting distance; strong math/science grades; authorized to work in the U.S.
The Broad Summer Scholars Program pairs students with scientists at the Broad Institute to work on real projects in areas like cancer biology, computational biology, and infectious disease. Over six weeks, students run experiments or analyze data while attending scientific talks, workshops, and a college fair. The program pairs technical research with dedicated support in scientific communication, including weekly mentoring and poster training. Students with limited prior exposure to STEM are especially encouraged to apply.
11. University of Chicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Application deadline: January 12
Program dates: Mid-June to early August (eight weeks)
Eligibility: High school students living and studying in the Chicago area, including seniors starting college in the fall
The DSI Summer Lab is a paid research program that matches students with a mentor on a real data science project. Topics range across computer science, climate and energy, public policy, and biomedical research, and no prior research experience is required. Students learn data science tools and methods directly through their project, then present their work at a final event. The program also builds a cohort community through a weekly speaker series and group activities.
12. NYU Tandon ARISE
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY (hybrid; remote start, then in person)
Cost: Free; $2,000 stipend upon completion
Application deadline: Late February
Program dates: Early June to mid-August (10 weeks)
Eligibility: NYC residents attending NYC high schools; rising juniors and seniors
ARISE places high school students in one of dozens of NYU research labs across fields like bioengineering, computer science, robotics, and mechanical engineering. The first weeks cover lab safety, scientific writing, and research methodology before students move into full-time in-person lab work. Students present at a colloquium at NYU and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History. The program is designed to expand access to advanced STEM research for NYC students.
13. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Application deadline: January 2
Program dates: Late June to early August (about seven weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; at least 16 by the start
The Rockefeller SSRP groups students into small research teams guided by scientists from the Tri-Institutions, contributing to a shared research question shaped by the team's interests. Students learn core lab techniques, narrow a focus, then move into experimentation, data analysis, and a final symposium. The structure mirrors an actual research lab, with multiple mentors and defined roles that show how scientific collaboration works day to day. Lectures, workshops, and networking events round out the experience.
14. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (commuter program for NJ residents)
Cost: Free
Application deadline: March 15
Program dates: Five to six weeks over the summer
Eligibility: 16+ by mid-June; enrolled in a local NJ high school; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students attending a U.S. high school
Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program offers one-on-one work with a faculty member, postdoc, or researcher on a real project in the natural sciences, computer science, or engineering. Past students have used large language models to design environmental tools, studied fossils to understand climate change, and built image-analysis algorithms. No prior research experience is required to apply. Participants contribute to lab work, literature reviews, coding, and data analysis, and join regular lab meetings.
15. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; fully funded
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: Late June to early August (six-week in-person session plus a virtual jumpstart)
Eligibility: Rising seniors (11th grade at application); at least 16; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SAMS is a pre-college STEM program that begins with a virtual skill-building session, then moves into a six-week in-person experience of classes, lectures, workshops, and group projects led by faculty and graduate students. The program is designed to mirror the first semester of the CMU freshman experience in a supportive environment. Students present their work at a closing symposium, and CMU strongly encourages applications from students underrepresented in STEM.
16. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC (commuter)
Cost: Free; stipend available
Application deadline: February 9
Program dates: Mid-June to early August (eight weeks)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; at least 15 at the start; living within commuting distance of Duke's west campus
DUNE matches students with a neuroscience lab and a mentor for a full-time summer research project focused on how the brain works. Most time is spent in the lab collecting and analyzing data, supported by workshops on college prep and careers in science and medicine. The program prioritizes students who are passionate about brain science but have had few prior opportunities to explore neuroscience or research. It closes with a poster session attended by Duke scientists, peers, and family.
17. Research Mentorship Program (RMP), UC Santa Barbara
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Approximately $5,675 (commuter) or $13,274 (residential); limited need-based scholarships available
Application deadline: March 9
Program dates: Mid-June to late July
Eligibility: Grades 10–11 (exceptional 9th graders considered case by case); minimum 3.80 weighted GPA
RMP blends independent research with formal coursework across disciplines spanning STEM, the humanities, and the social sciences. After a short virtual onboarding, students work one-on-one with a mentor on a project they select, often 35–50 hours per week, while taking structured courses on research methods and presentation. Students produce a technical research paper, present at a symposium, and earn college credit. Seminars and workshops introduce college-level academics and research careers.
18. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various NASA facilities across the U.S., plus virtual options
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Varies by session (spring typically August, summer October, fall January)
Program dates: Fall and spring run 16 weeks; summer runs 10 weeks
Eligibility: Full-time high school students; minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens
NASA OSTEM Internships let high school students contribute to real agency projects under the guidance of NASA mentors across disciplines including space science, engineering, aeronautics, and data analysis. Interns may design experiments, analyze mission data, or help develop new technologies. The internships also include a structured component on personal and professional development. Positions are offered across NASA centers and virtually, so students can filter for opportunities open to high schoolers.
19. Department of the Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Navy laboratories across the country
Cost: No registration cost (housing, meals, and transportation not covered); stipend of $4,000 (new) or $4,500 (returning)
Application deadline: November 1
Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grade 9 and are at least 16 at the start; graduating seniors eligible; U.S. citizens
SEAP places students in Department of the Navy labs to gain hands-on research and engineering experience in fields like cybersecurity, software development, algorithm design, and data analysis. Each apprentice is paired with a scientist or engineer who mentors them on real-world projects. Placements are matched to student interests across more than 30 Navy laboratories nationwide. The program is a strong fit for students drawn to applied engineering beyond the classroom.
20. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Multiple U.S. college campuses (residential)
Cost: Program fee applies; financial aid covers 100% of demonstrated need; families earning under $75,000 typically attend free; $3,000 stipends available; no application fee
Application deadline: Check the website for the current cycle (domestic in February, international in January)
Program dates: Five weeks in the summer; dates vary by campus
Eligibility: Rising seniors; open to domestic and international students; admissions are need-blind
SSP is a five-week residential program where students work in teams of three on an original scientific investigation from start to finish, choosing a track in astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, or cell biology. Teams design experiments, collect and analyze their own data, and present their findings. The research is genuine rather than guided, so teams develop their own methods and troubleshoot independently under faculty supervision. With decades of history, SSP is among the most respected research programs for high school students in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of research programs are available for high school students?
Options include residential university lab programs (RSI at MIT, SIMR at Stanford, RMP at UC Santa Barbara, and the Summer Science Program), paid city-based lab internships (the MSK Summer Student Program, the Rockefeller SSRP, NYU ARISE, and the Broad Summer Scholars Program), fully virtual mentored research (Lumiere, Veritas AI, Horizon, and MIT PRIMES via PRIMES-USA), and government research programs (NASA OSTEM and Navy SEAP).
Which research programs for high school students are free or offer stipends?
Free options include RSI, MIT PRIMES, the Rockefeller SSRP, Princeton's Laboratory Learning Program, and CMU SAMS. Stipend-bearing programs include Navy SEAP ($4,000–$4,500), the Broad Summer Scholars Program ($3,600), the Summer Science Program (up to $3,000), NYU ARISE ($2,000), MSK ($1,200), and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program ($750). Lumiere and Veritas AI vary by program type and offer full financial aid.
Which programs are best for students interested in biomedical or cancer research?
SIMR places students in Stanford medical labs, the MSK Summer Student Program embeds them in one of the world's leading cancer centers, and the Broad Summer Scholars Program covers cancer, computational, and infectious-disease research. The Rockefeller SSRP centers on biomedical science, while DUNE focuses specifically on neuroscience.
Are there virtual or online research programs for high school students?
Yes. Lumiere, Veritas AI, and Horizon are fully remote and mentor-driven, MIT PRIMES offers a nationwide remote track through PRIMES-USA, and NASA OSTEM includes virtual internship placements.
Which research programs for high school students are the most selective?
RSI is widely regarded as one of the most competitive programs in the world, the MSK Summer Student Program admits roughly 20 students from more than 1,000 applications, and the Rockefeller SSRP accepts a small cohort each year. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program selects only 12 scholars nationally, and the Simons Summer Research Program requires a school nomination before you can apply.
When should I apply to research programs for high school students?
Application deadlines cluster between November and March. Navy SEAP (November 1) and MIT PRIMES (December 1) are among the earliest, followed by RSI in early December and a wave of January and February deadlines including UChicago DSI, the Rockefeller SSRP, Broad, Simons, MSK, DUNE, SIMR, and Anson L. Clark. Virtual programs like Lumiere, Veritas AI, and Horizon run multiple cohorts with rolling deadlines throughout the year.