14 Research Programs for High School Students in Ohio
If you are a high school student interested in research, participating in a structured research program can help you explore a subject in greater depth while developing skills that extend beyond the classroom. Depending on the program, you may work in university laboratories, contribute to ongoing research projects, analyze data, or investigate topics in fields such as engineering, neuroscience, medicine, agriculture, and computer science. These experiences can help you build research, analytical, and communication skills while gaining a better understanding of potential academic and career interests.
Why should you pursue a research program in Ohio?
Ohio is home to universities, medical centers, government research facilities, and industry partners that offer research opportunities for high school students. Through these programs, students may conduct laboratory research, work with faculty mentors, explore biomedical and engineering topics, or participate in specialized projects in areas such as aerospace, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and environmental science. Whether you are interested in STEM research, healthcare, or applied engineering, Ohio offers a range of programs that provide early exposure to research and academic inquiry.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve narrowed down our list to 14 research programs for high school students in Ohio.
If you’re looking for programs in Ohio, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free or provide stipends, including Case Western C2KUHR ($7,500 stipend), AWS/Ma2JIC Internship (paid), OSU Neuroscience Internship (paid), Wright Scholar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (paid), OSU Research Internship ORIP (paid), NASA Glenn Engineering Institute (free), and UC Biology meets Engineering (free), making Ohio a strong state for paid and no-cost research opportunities.
Programs span a wide range of research fields including neuroscience and neurodegeneration (OSU Neuroscience Internship), kidney and urological research (Case Western C2KUHR), welding and materials engineering (AWS/Ma2JIC), aerospace and NASA mission research (Wright Scholar, NASA Glenn), agricultural and environmental science (OSU ORIP), solar energy and nanotechnology (University of Toledo RISE), bioinformatics and genomics (UT Summer Bioinformatics, UC MSSI Medical Informatics track), biorobotics (UC Biology meets Engineering), AI and machine learning (Veritas AI, Lumiere), and clinical medicine (OSU MD Camp).
Several programs conclude with a formal research presentation, poster session, or publication opportunity, including UT Summer Bioinformatics (peer-reviewed journal publication as co-author), OSU ORIP (research symposium), Case Western C2KUHR (poster sessions and lectures), and Wright Scholar (weekly scientific presentations), building valuable scientific communication skills.
Students looking for clinical medicine exposure alongside research can apply to OSU MD Camp (shadowing, phlebotomy, suturing, and problem-based learning cases at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center) and UC MSSI (biomedical research combined with clinical exposure at UC College of Medicine).
Deadlines are concentrated between January and April, with Wright Scholar closing January 10, AWS/Ma2JIC closing February 13, OSU ORIP closing February 28, and Case Western C2KUHR closing March 15, so students should begin identifying programs in the fall and apply to January and February deadline programs first.
1. AWS Foundation & Mₐ²JIC High School Internship Program
Location: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (Mₐ²JIC)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the Columbus area
AWS Foundation & Mₐ²JIC High School Internship Program is a paid, research-based learning opportunity for high school students. The program will allow you to explore your interest in Welding engineering, work on active projects, and receive guidance and mentorship from the Ohio State University faculty, industry partners, and researchers. You will gain knowledge about engineering design and materials joining, and gain exposure to career pathways in the field. The program offers laboratory tours and hands-on research experience, along with the opportunity to develop scientific skills and form meaningful friendships with peers.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship
Location: The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer, typically running from mid-June to early August
Application Deadline: Generally falls between late January and early March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents
Explorations in Neuroscience Research Internship is an eight-week paid learning opportunity for high school students. You will gain exposure to biomedical research, receive mentorships from trained experts, graduate students, and laboratory technicians, while also participating in real-world hands-on activities. The program will allow you to explore a range of areas, including neuroscience, neurodegeneration, and neurological injury, while also gaining knowledge about career pathways in Neuroscience. You will attend lab meetings, join group journal clubs, and receive formal reading and writing-focused training in primary literature. The program is funded by the National Institute of Health and is a great learning opportunity for students interested in biomedical research.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; 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
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
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.
5. Case Western School of Medicine – Cleveland & Columbus KUHR Summer Research Fellowship (C2KUHR)
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, with participating research labs across Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $7,500 stipend
Dates: Eight-week program held during the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students enrolled at any institution in Cleveland
In this program, you join an eight-week summer research fellowship where you work full-time in a basic or clinical laboratory studying kidney, urological, or blood disorders alongside Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University mentors. You gain hands-on experience employing laboratory methods, techniques, and equipment while learning to critically review scientific papers and make ethical research decisions. You write clear research abstracts and papers and present your findings during lectures, group meetings, and poster sessions. Weekly journal clubs and seminars cover translational research, scientific integrity, and responsible conduct of research. Projects span physiology, immunology, nephrology, hematology, urology, and tissue engineering across hospitals, including the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and Nationwide Children's.
6. Wright Scholar Research Assistant Program
Location: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors ages 16 and above; U.S. citizens with a GPA of 3.5 or above
The Wright Scholar Research Assistant Program is a highly competitive, paid summer internship designed to immerse exceptional high school juniors and seniors in real-world science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research. You will be matched and receive guidance from expert mentors and work as a full-time research assistant on an ongoing research project in STEM. The student applications for the program are scored based on a “blind” review system. Alongside your lab work, you attend weekly lectures from prominent scientists, take specialized engineering classes, and participate in hands-on workshops at nearby institutions like the University of Dayton and Ohio State University.
7. OSU Research Internship Program (ORIP)
Location: CFAES Wooster Campus, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: May 11 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students; must be at least 18 years old by May 1 of the program year
OSU Research Internship Program (ORIP) offers you an engaging summer research opportunity. The program will allow you to engage in both laboratory and field environments. You will receive mentorship from experienced scientist faculty at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). You will have the opportunity to work on research projects in a range of disciplines, including environmental science, food science, biological engineering, entomology, and plant sciences. The program offers professional development opportunities, along with gaining knowledge about fundamental and applied research. The program concludes in a research symposium where you will get to present your work, engage in networking sessions, and prepare for a career in STEM.
8. University of Toledo – Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Program
Location: University of Toledo campus, Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Toledo, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current high school students interested in scientific research; preference given to Toledo Public School students; open to students in the Toledo area and outlying regions, with a small number historically coming from Michigan, the Washington, DC area, and California
In this program, you join an active University of Toledo research group for eight weeks, working alongside faculty mentors and junior researchers on an individualized project that is important to the academic lab's overall goals. You contribute directly to ongoing science and engineering work, gaining your first immersive look at what scientists do daily. Past participants have developed processing methods for carbon nanotubes, fabricated and tested solar cells, built a clean room, investigated the toxicity of metals used in solar cells, and explored cell division of fission yeast. Many students convert their work into science fair posters, with past participants advancing to the Intel ISEF and Google Science Fair.
9. University of Cincinnati – UC Biology meets Engineering (BmE) Program
Location: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 1–18
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Current high school students
In this program, you spend three weeks on the University of Cincinnati's Uptown campus exploring the scientific connections between animal senses and robotics through this free, NSF-supported program in the Department of Biological Sciences. You conduct hands-on biological investigations into how animals such as snakes and fish sense and navigate their environments, then translate those findings into engineering practice. Working in campus labs, you build and program autonomous robots equipped with sensors and animal-inspired behaviors to complete specific tasks. You also take part in college and career readiness workshops that connect the experience to STEM pathways. Across the program, you practice inquiry-driven experimentation, careful observation, and transdisciplinary problem-solving that bridges biology and engineering.
10. NASA Glenn Center – High School Engineering Institute
Location: NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Session 1: July 13–17; Session 2: July 20–24; Session 3: July 27–31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th grade; minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA verified by a school counselor; U.S. citizens
In this program, you join NASA's Glenn Research Center for a five-day, work-based program where you apply the engineering design process to authentic NASA mission research alongside the center's technical experts. You investigate one of three research challenges: reducing jet engine noise through acoustic dampening, developing a smart power management and distribution system for future space stations, or inventing airless tires for lunar and Mars rover operations. You design, build, and test prototypes, translating real-world mission questions into practical engineering solutions. Through this hands-on research, you strengthen technical problem-solving, experimentation, and STEM career-readiness skills. The program ties directly to aerospace research advancing NASA's Artemis-era exploration goals.
11. Ohio State University College of Medicine – MD Camp
Location: The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: $325; full and partial scholarships awarded based on financial need and quality of application
Dates: June 8–26
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in medicine or biomedical research, residents of the state of Ohio only
As an MD Camp participant, you gain direct exposure to biomedical research within an intensive three-week immersion in medical school life. Through the Introduction to Research component, you learn how to read academic papers effectively, hear from current undergraduate and medical students about their research experiences, and by the end, can analyze the experimental design, methods, and results of a research paper while learning how to get involved in research yourself. You also shadow clinicians and researchers at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital, work through clinical cases in problem-based learning groups, and practice procedures like phlebotomy and suturing in hands-on clinical workshops.
12. STEAM@XU - Summer Programs | Xavier University
Location: Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Cost/Stipend: Commuter Day Camp: $495 (increases to $545 on May 1); Residential Overnight Camp: $1095 (increases to $1,195 on May 1)
Dates: Day Camp: July 20–24; Residential Camp: July 19–24
Application Deadline: Not strictly specified; spots are limited and preference for research group placement is given to early registrants
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th-grade students
STEAM@XU - Summer Programs at Xavier University is a one-week camp for high school students. The camp offers both commuter and residential options and allows you to gain in-depth knowledge of the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) fields. You will receive guidance from the expert faculty at Xavier’s, work on hands-on research projects, and develop a range of skills in critical thinking and college readiness. You will have the opportunity to explore different project topics and areas, including exploring proteins in virtual reality, decoding literary patterns, and more.
13. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine – UC Medical Sciences Summer Institute (MSSI)
Location: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: $1,100; a limited number of scholarships and financial aid awards are available
Dates: Session 1: June 1–5 (Cellular); Session 2: June 8–12 (Cellular); Session 3: June 8–12 (Medical Informatics); Session 4: June 15–19 (Molecular); Session 5: June 22–26 (Molecular)
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors interested in medicine or healthcare-related fields; at least 16 years old by August 1
In this program, you spend a full week immersed in biomedical research at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, choosing a track in cellular biology, molecular biology, or the newly added medical informatics. In the laboratory tracks, you learn core research basics and instrumentation, practice techniques such as using micropipettes, and explore topics like recombinant DNA, protein biochemistry, cell-based assays, and gene expression while touring advanced research core facilities. If you select medical informatics, you work with data visualization, artificial intelligence, and machine learning applied to healthcare data. You build practical lab skills, scientific reasoning, and exposure to real research environments alongside peers from different high schools.
14. University of Toledo Neurosciences and Psychiatry – Summer Biomedical Science Program in Bioinformatics
Location: Virtual/online program administered by The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, Toledo, Ohio
Cost: $2,900
Dates: June 15 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12; evaluated on high school academic performance, AP coursework, and test scores such as PSAT, SAT, or ACT if available; access to a computer with Microsoft Word and EndNote installed prior to the start of camp is required
In this program, you join a 20-day virtual research camp where you work alongside a College of Medicine and Life Sciences faculty mentor and a counselor in a small team to investigate an important question in biomedical science using bioinformatics and data science techniques. You analyze large RNAseq and gene-expression datasets, learn coding in R and RStudio, gain access to supercomputing resources, and build a foundation in cloud computing and genomics. Your team designs and completes an original project, then writes it up for publication in the peer-reviewed journal Translation, with campers credited as authors.
Frequently asked questions
What types of research programs are available for high school students in Ohio?
Options include paid biomedical and neuroscience internships (OSU Neuroscience, Case Western C2KUHR, AWS/Ma2JIC), paid aerospace and engineering internships (Wright Scholar, NASA Glenn), paid agricultural and environmental science internships (OSU ORIP), free biorobotics and biology programs (UC Biology meets Engineering), free solar energy research programs (University of Toledo RISE), bioinformatics and genomics programs (UT Summer Bioinformatics, UC MSSI), clinical medicine immersion programs (OSU MD Camp), AI and machine learning programs (Veritas AI, Lumiere), and multi-disciplinary STEAM research camps (STEAM@XU).
Which Ohio research programs offer the largest stipends or financial support?
Case Western C2KUHR provides the largest stipend at $7,500 for eight weeks of kidney and urological research. Wright Scholar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OSU Neuroscience Internship, AWS/Ma2JIC Internship, and OSU ORIP all provide stipends, though exact amounts are not publicly disclosed. NASA Glenn Engineering Institute and UC Biology meets Engineering are both free with no tuition cost.
Which programs are best for students interested in biomedical or clinical research?
Case Western C2KUHR places students in basic and clinical labs studying kidney, urological, and blood disorders for eight weeks across Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth. OSU Neuroscience Internship provides eight weeks of NIH-funded research in neurodegeneration and neurological injury. OSU MD Camp combines biomedical research literacy with clinical shadowing and procedure practice at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. UC MSSI offers tracks in cellular biology, molecular biology, and medical informatics at UC College of Medicine.
Which programs are best for students interested in engineering or aerospace research?
Wright Scholar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base places students in full-time research alongside Air Force scientists and engineers for eight weeks. NASA Glenn Engineering Institute runs five-day sessions where students work on real NASA mission challenges including jet engine acoustics, space power systems, and lunar rover tire design. AWS/Ma2JIC Internship focuses on welding engineering and materials joining research at Ohio State University.
Are there Ohio research programs that lead to publications or formal scientific output?
Yes, UT Summer Bioinformatics Program explicitly credits participating students as co-authors in the peer-reviewed journal Translation upon program completion. University of Toledo RISE participants frequently convert their work into science fair projects, with past students advancing to Intel ISEF and Google Science Fair. Case Western C2KUHR requires students to write research abstracts and papers and present at poster sessions.
When should I apply to research programs for high school students in Ohio?
Wright Scholar has the earliest deadline at January 10. AWS/Ma2JIC closes February 13 and OSU ORIP closes February 28. Case Western C2KUHR and UT Summer Bioinformatics both close March 15. OSU MD Camp closes March 17 and UC MSSI closes March 25. NASA Glenn and University of Toledo RISE both close May 1. Students should begin researching in the fall and prioritize January and February deadline programs well before the winter break.