10 Research Programs for High School Students in Georgia
If you’re a high school student curious about research, joining a structured program can be one of the best ways to explore your interests in depth. Research programs often combine projects with mentorship from professors, graduate students, or industry professionals. These programs help you build critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills, as well as your profile for future opportunities.
Georgia is home to many universities and research centers that host summer as well as year-round opportunities for high school students. Fields of study range from biology, physics, and computer science to engineering, psychology, and social sciences. With access to state-of-the-art labs, dedicated mentors, and a collaborative academic environment, you can explore your interests and build meaningful connections within the research community.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 10 research programs for high school students in Georgia.
1. Emory University Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $2,400 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically, about 12 students are selected annually
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: Applications open in the Fall
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors at least 16 years old by program start
Each year, the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University selects 10–12 students to work directly with a physician or researcher on cancer-focused projects in laboratory or clinical settings. Over six weeks, you will conduct independent research, attend lectures led by Winship oncologists and faculty, and develop hands-on skills in lab work, data analysis, and presentation. The program also includes field trips to institutions like the CDC, David J. Sencer Museum, and Georgia Tech, along with career exploration in oncology. It concludes with a symposium where you will present your research to Winship doctors, scientists, and graduate students.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective
Dates: Varies according to the cohort
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers specialized programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars Program introduces beginners to core AI, machine learning, and data science concepts through a 10-session boot camp that includes hands-on projects. For advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides one-on-one mentorship with researchers from top universities. You will work on individual AI projects and receive editorial guidance from Veritas’s in-house publication team to help publish your work in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Project ENGAGES
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
During the summer, participants in the Project ENGAGES program will engage in full-time (35 hours per week) hands-on research within Georgia Tech labs. This immersive experience allows students to explore diverse scientific fields, including biology, biotechnology, and robotics. Before beginning lab work, you will complete a four-week “Boot Camp” to build core research skills. Participants present their work at a science fair and join a science club. This club offers virtual sessions that connect students directly with Georgia Tech laboratories.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive, 12-week research experience designed for high school students eager to explore academic inquiry at a professional level. You will be paired one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors to design and conduct independent research projects, culminating in a completed research paper. You can choose from diverse fields such as psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, data science, chemistry, and international relations. The program offers a unique opportunity to develop research, writing, and analytical skills under expert mentorship.
5. Science, Technology, and Engineering Program (STEP)
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+ years old with an interest in engineering and STEM fields
The STEP Program (Science, Technology, and Engineering Program) is a fully funded, two-week immersion in engineering challenges at Georgia Tech. You will work in teams on open-ended, real research problems inspired by active engineering efforts. Under the guidance of faculty and mentors, you will design, prototype, and test solutions, then present them to industry sponsors and academic panels. The program encourages creative thinking and engineering design skills beyond standard classroom projects.
6. UGA Young Scholars Internship Program
Location: Athens, Griffin, or Tifton, GA
Stipend: Stipend provided, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Internship Program: June 1 – July 7 | Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference: July 8 – 10
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old by the program start date | Have completed sophomore year | Completed one of the high school science courses, including laboratory, and one algebra semester
The Young Scholars Internship Program offers paid research placements for high school students on UGA’s Athens, Griffin, and Tifton campuses. Working 30 hours a week under the guidance of faculty mentors, you will conduct research in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. Alongside lab work, you will join workshops and visit agricultural facilities to gain broader industry insight. The program culminates in a poster presentation at the Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference, where you will showcase your findings.
7. Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP)
Location: Typically a college or university campus in Georgia
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 14 – July 11
Application Deadline: Schools are supposed to submit nominations on November 11, and online applications for candidates close on January 9
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Georgia
This prestigious residential summer program invites high-achieving high school sophomores and juniors to expand their academic or artistic skills beyond the standard curriculum. GHP focuses on developing critical thinking, creativity, and leadership through immersive classes in selected study areas. Days are spent in academic sessions, while evenings feature social and enrichment activities. You must be nominated by your school, making GHP one of Georgia’s most selective programs for talented students. While GHP is not strictly a research program, it provides advanced academic enrichment and critical inquiry in a residential setting, helping students deepen their intellectual engagement in specific disciplines.
8. Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – 16
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-graders interested in STEM
The Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) at Georgia Tech is a free, residential program for rising 11th and 12th-graders interested in STEM. Through lab experiments, technical workshops, and group challenges, you’ll explore how various engineering fields connect to solve real-world problems. Guided by faculty and student mentors, you’ll work on design-based projects from concept to testing. While not a formal research program, SEI focuses on hands-on engineering challenges that simulate aspects of real-world research and design. The program also includes facility tours and admissions sessions, offering insight into engineering education and careers while encouraging both technical and creative thinking.
9. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy (9-12)
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $600 (Option 1) | $1,000 (Option 2)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Option 1 (3-week healthcare-anatomy-lab session): June 2 – 20 | Option 2 (6-week Authentic Research Experience): June 3 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Rising high school students in grades 9–12
This six-week medical research program at Morehouse School of Medicine gives high school students hands-on experience in biomedical research. Working closely with a faculty mentor, you’ll conduct scientific investigations, collect and analyze data, prepare reports, and work in the lab. By the end of the program, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of what a career in biomedical research entails and whether it aligns with your future goals.
10. Emergency Medicine at Georgia Tech
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Residential Tuition: $5,698 | Commuter Tuition: $3,198
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 27
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Pre-college high school students interested in medicine and healthcare
This immersive program introduces you to the medical and healthcare professions through practical, hands-on learning. In the first week, you’ll master essential clinical skills like CPR, suturing, and checking vital signs inside a medical simulation lab. During the second week, you’ll participate in a realistic mass casualty simulation, collaborating with peers to triage patients, diagnose conditions, and develop treatment plans under time-sensitive conditions. While this course emphasizes applied clinical training rather than research, it allows students to engage in problem-solving and diagnostic reasoning relevant to healthcare fields. You’ll team up with other students and investigate patient history, diagnose conditions, and develop treatment plans for simulated cases.
Image Source - Georgia Institute of Technology logo