14 Research Programs for High School Students in Washington State
As a high school student, research programs are a good option for you to experience research and innovation. You can gain practical skills, mentorship, and exposure to professional research environments across various fields , including medicine, computer science, and engineering. Hosted by top universities and organizations, these programs also help you connect with mentors, researchers, and peers who share similar academic interests.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
In Washington State, many universities and organisations offer strong research opportunities specifically designed for high school participants. Across these programs, you may work in laboratories, contribute to ongoing research projects, analyse data, or conduct fieldwork. They are ideal for Washington residents seeking local opportunities, as well as out-of-state students eager to explore the state’s STEM landscape.
We’ve narrowed our list down to 14 research programs for high schoolers in Washington State.
If you are looking for internships in Washington State, you can check out our blog here.
1. Department of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Multiple U.S. Navy laboratories nationwide, including facilities in Washington State
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend of $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Application deadline: August 1 – November 1
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer (specific dates vary by lab)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
SEAP provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in research alongside Navy scientists and engineers. Over the eight-week program, you will work on STEM projects related to naval science and technology, applying classroom concepts to practical challenges. You will gain experience with laboratory techniques, technical problem-solving, and the research process. Throughout the program, you will receive guidance from professional mentors and participate in activities such as seminars, lab tours, and shadowing, all designed to deepen your understanding of scientific investigation and its applications.
2. Veritas AI- AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Seattle Children’s Research Institute Research Training Program
Location: B. Wayne Hughes Building, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend of $2,000
Application Deadline: January 6 – March 9 (tentatively)
Dates: July 14 – August 8 (tentatively)
Eligibility: Rising juniors with an interest in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, or a related scientific field, who live within commuting distance to downtown Seattle
At Seattle Children’s Research Institute, the Research Training Program places you in an active laboratory setting where you can learn core scientific practices. You will start with guided instruction in techniques such as microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and basic gene-editing methods. Workshops in areas like biochemistry, immunology, and infectious disease help you build essential background knowledge and introduce you to current topics in biomedical science. As you become more comfortable with these skills, you will work on an independent project that concludes with a short oral presentation. In addition to your lab activities, you take part in sessions focused on college preparation and exploring careers in health and research.
4. 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: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with PhD 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. Institute for Systems Biology Summer Internship
Location: ISB labs, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend of $5,000
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: Current 11th graders
This free summer program for high school students in Washington State is held at the Institute for Systems Biology and gives you the chance to participate in research that connects biology with technology and systems-based approaches. Depending on your placement, you may work on computational models, microbiology projects, or studies related to systems medicine. In addition to your research tasks, you’ll practice communicating your work by developing a website that explains your project clearly to a general audience. You’ll also collaborate with ISB researchers and other students, gaining a clearer understanding of how organised, multi-step research projects operate. Throughout the program, you can explore different roles within biology and technology and see how these fields come together in practical settings.
6. SEAS Summer Immersion Program (SSIP)
Location: Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Cost/Stipend: All students receive a full scholarship. No stipend
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: July 6 – 11 (tentatively)
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors with an interest in math or science
Gonzaga University’s SEAS Summer Immersion Program is a weeklong residential experience where you will work with engineering and computer science concepts. During the day, you move through a series of faculty-guided labs that may involve building or programming small devices, analysing environmental samples, or exploring basic principles of different engineering fields. In the evenings, you attend sessions with practising engineers who describe their work and the pathways that led them into their specialities. Throughout the week, you examine how engineering methods apply in areas such as civil infrastructure, environmental studies, and computing. The program includes research-focused tasks and design exercises that encourage you to practice reasoning through technical problems and developing workable solutions.
7. UW Medicine Neuroscience Summer Student Program
Location: Various lab locations across Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Application Deadline: October 31 – December 15
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 18 years old by the first day of the program | Minimum 3.2 GPA | U.S. citizens/permanent residents | Current immunisations (measles/mumps/rubella, varicella, hepatitis B) and a TB test result valid through the program end date
This eight-week program gives you an in-depth look at neuroscience from both research and clinical perspectives. Under the guidance of mentors from the University of Washington’s Departments of Neurological Surgery and Neurology, you will rotate through labs and observe clinical procedures to see how research findings are applied in medical settings. You will also practice developing hypotheses, analysing data, and presenting results through structured lab projects. In addition to laboratory work, the program includes exposure to hospital operations and discussions on ethics, connecting scientific study to patient care. You also attend lectures, lab meetings, and Grand Rounds to learn how different disciplines collaborate in neuroscience research and healthcare.
8. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Several sites in the Greater Seattle area, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Some projects may offer a stipend
Application Deadline: Typically in April
Dates: 8–10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Seattle area | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SPARK SMP pairs high school students with mentors from universities, industry, and community organisations to work on STEM-related projects. You will take part in research activities, which could include programming in Python, applying machine learning techniques, or creating data visualisations, depending on your mentor’s focus. The program emphasises independent problem-solving and collaboration while introducing you to standard research practices. You will also participate in sessions on career preparation and professional networking, providing opportunities to engage directly with scientists and engineers. SPARK SMP offers a structured mentorship experience in Washington State, helping you build technical skills and gain insight into how STEM research is conducted.
9. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Pathways Research Explorers Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $500 stipend
Application Deadline: January 2 – March 14 (tentatively)
Dates: Session 1: July 28 – August 8; Session 2: August 11 – 22 (tentatively)
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students who have completed an introductory biology or chemistry course | Live in Seattle or the surrounding areas
This two-week summer medical program at Fred Hutch provides high school students in Washington State with a focused introduction to biomedical research. You will take part in laboratory exercises, visit active research spaces, and speak with scientists about areas such as cancer biology, immunotherapy, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Much of the learning occurs in the Learning Lab, where you practice fundamental lab techniques in a small cohort setting that allows for regular discussion and guidance. You will also learn about different stages of research careers and the academic routes that lead into science and medicine. Throughout the program, you will work alongside peers who share similar interests, combining practical laboratory experience with opportunities to understand potential career paths in the biomedical field.
10. Soil to Society Through Science — Summer Research Opportunity
Location: Washington State University, Pullman/Spokane, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,200 stipend + additional symposium stipend + 1 free college credit (more credits available at $595 each)
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with a minimum 3.5 GPA, who are U.S. residents
In this internship, you will work with researchers studying how soil conditions, crop development, and human health are connected. You will learn laboratory techniques, take part in fieldwork, and practice basic data analysis while considering questions related to sustainable agriculture. Your work is tied to an ongoing project — this may involve examining soil properties, evaluating crop quality, or measuring nutritional components in grains — and you will contribute to the project’s data collection and documentation.
11. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
Location: Several sites around King County, WA
Stipend: $20/hour
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: July 7 – August 7 (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school-aged youth who are at least 16 years old when the program begins | Current and valid identification and proof of eligibility for employment in the U.S.
In this internship, you examine how clean water systems operate and their role in environmental and community health. Run by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, the program combines field investigation with office-based research tasks. During site visits to treatment facilities, farms, and watershed areas, you will observe water management practices and gather information on ecosystem conditions and restoration work. In the office, you will contribute to research and communication projects, conduct interviews with staff members, and prepare a final presentation that summarises your findings on clean water issues. For students in Washington State interested in sustainability, the internship offers a chance to study examples of environmental systems while developing skills in research, analysis, and communication.
12. Biomedical Research Internship for Growth of High School Trainees from Underrepresented Populations (BRIGHT-UP)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Paid, amount unspecified
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12), especially those from underrepresented backgrounds
This eight-week summer internship is intended for high school students from under-resourced educational or economic backgrounds and provides structured support from professional mentors in a research lab setting. Over the course of the program, you will learn core laboratory practices and explore different scientific areas through discussions, lab visits, and sessions with researchers. You will complete a research project that gives you steady experience while working within a community committed to broadening participation in biomedical science. The internship also includes weekly meetings focused on career planning and understanding pathways in STEM fields.
13. University of Puget Sound Summer Academic Challenge
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: 20 days from mid-June to mid-July
Eligibility: 7th to 12th graders attending a public school in Tacoma and the greater Pierce County who are first-generation college students or come from underrepresented minority groups/socio-economic status
The Summer Academic Challenge is a four-week program that uses project-based learning in STEAM while focusing on topics rooted in the local community. Your area of study depends on your grade level — for example, you might examine the ecological role of salmon in Puget Sound or look at how regional transportation systems have changed over time. Each theme blends scientific and mathematical ideas with social and environmental questions, helping you see how academic concepts relate to everyday issues. Activities may include analysing environmental data, considering sustainability practices, or testing design approaches for transportation challenges. The program includes fieldwork, hands-on workshops, and group projects, giving you a combination of lab activities, outdoor investigation, and collaborative problem-solving.
14. Talaria Summer Institute
Location: Chapters in several locations, including Washington/virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students of marginalised genders
At the Talaria Institute, you will focus on science research by developing and completing an independent project from start to finish. The program pairs you with a mentor who helps you shape a research question, review relevant background information, and apply standard scientific approaches to investigate your topic. You learn how to organise and interpret data, assess your results, and write a clear research paper that explains your process and findings. Throughout the program, you participate in peer review, exchanging feedback with other students who are working on their own projects. By the end, you gain experience in both conducting research and communicating your work in a format commonly used in academic environments.
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