14 Science Summer Research Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, summer science research programs can let you work on projects in fields like biology, engineering, neuroscience, computer science, and environmental research. You can learn practical skills such as coding, data analysis, lab techniques, and scientific writing while also connecting with professors, researchers, and other students who share your interests. Many of these opportunities are hosted by respected universities and organizations, making them a great way to explore STEM more seriously while also building experiences that can strengthen your college applications.
What are the benefits of attending a science research program?
One of the biggest advantages of attending a science summer research program is the variety of projects you can explore. Depending on the program, you could be conducting chemistry experiments, studying genetics, building AI models, analyzing climate data, designing engineering solutions, or even contributing to university-led research. Some programs also give you opportunities to present your findings, collaborate in teams, or learn directly from industry professionals and researchers.
To help you find worthwhile opportunities, we’ve narrowed down our list to 14 science summer research programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 14 programs span genetics and genomics, biomedical research, AI and machine learning, astrophysics, polymer science, environmental science, neuroscience, and computational biology, so students with a wide range of science interests can find a relevant option in person or online.
Several programs are free or paid, including RSI (fully funded), JAX SSP ($7,500 stipend with room and board), Clark Scholars ($750 stipend, fully funded), Simons Summer Research (stipend provided), SSP (fully funded for eligible students), and BWSI (free for families earning under $200,000), while Veritas AI and Lumiere offer full financial aid.
Programs vary significantly in depth and format, from four-week residential intensives, such as COSMOS and Hofstra HUSSRP, to 15-week independent virtual research projects, such as Veritas AI AI Fellowship, so students can choose based on their experience level and availability.
Application deadlines for the most selective programs fall early, including Rockefeller SSRP (January 2), JAX SSP (January 26), Simons Summer Research (February 5), and Stanford SIMR (February 21), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; accepts less than 2.5% of applicants
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Early to mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors with one year remaining before graduation; applicants must be at least 16 years old by July 1
Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious STEM summer programs for high school students, the Research Science Institute (RSI) brings around 100 students from across the world to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for an intensive research experience hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education. The program begins with advanced coursework and lectures by leading professors in fields such as biology, mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science, then transitions to a five-week individual research internship under the guidance of professional scientists and researchers. You’ll read current scientific literature, conduct original research, and prepare both conference-style papers and oral presentations summarizing your findings. Throughout the summer, participants also attend evening lectures by Nobel laureates, entrepreneurs, and prominent STEM leaders while gaining access to MIT’s research and computing resources.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Programs generally run for 15 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines for Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November) cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in AI concepts or Python. Applicants are encouraged to complete the AI Scholars program before applying
The Veritas AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is a selective virtual research program designed for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Founded and run by Harvard graduate students, the program pairs students 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. Over approximately 15 weeks, students conduct independent AI research projects that integrate AI with other disciplines, such as healthcare, finance, or the social sciences. Participants receive mentorship throughout the research and development process and also gain access to an in-house publication team that helps students prepare their work for submission to high school research journals.
3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free program with room, board, and meals provided; $750 stipend upon successful completion; $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 12 students
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 17 years old by the start of the program and graduating in the next two years
Hosted by Texas Tech University, the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective seven-week summer research experience that allows students to work closely with university faculty on advanced research projects across a variety of disciplines. Scholars are matched with experienced mentors and conduct hands-on research while participating in seminars, social programming, and academic discussions designed to deepen their understanding of scholarly work and professional research environments. In addition to completing an individual research project, students gain exposure to university-level collaboration, critical thinking, and scientific communication through presentations and written reports. The program covers on-campus housing, meals, and organized activities, making it one of the few elite fully funded summer research opportunities for high school students.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — students can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring. Program options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate strong 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.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free for accepted students; limited need-based stipends available; $50 application fee with fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently living in and attending high school in the U.S.; students must be high school juniors or seniors and at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Hosted by Stanford Medicine, the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) gives high school students the opportunity to conduct medically oriented research alongside Stanford faculty, researchers, and postdoctoral scholars. Over eight weeks, participants work on laboratory projects in areas connected to biological sciences and medicine while learning how scientific research is designed, conducted, and communicated. The program is intended for students with varying levels of prior experience and emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and exposure to real biomedical research environments. Students receive mentorship from researchers while exploring topics ranging from molecular biology to clinical and translational science, depending on their assigned lab.
6. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition fees; stipend awarded at program completion; students are responsible for transportation and residential/dining costs if living on campus
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University gives high-achieving students the opportunity to participate in hands-on research in science, mathematics, or engineering alongside university faculty and research teams. Over six weeks, students are paired with faculty mentors and integrated into active laboratories where they contribute to real research projects while learning advanced techniques and problem-solving skills. Participants also attend weekly research talks, workshops, tours, and special campus events that introduce them to life at a major research university. At the end of the program, fellows present their work through written research abstracts and scientific posters during a closing symposium.
7. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: New York, New York
Cost/Stipend: Free program; limited need-based stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 32 students
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and able to commit full-time for the entire seven-week program
Hosted by The Rockefeller University through its RockEDU Science Outreach initiative, the Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) gives students the opportunity to work in collaborative biomedical research teams mentored by scientists from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine. Rather than assigning students to isolated projects, the program organizes participants into small research groups where they collectively develop scientific questions, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings at the end-of-program symposium. Alongside laboratory work, students participate in workshops, elective courses, guest lectures, networking events, and scientific discussions that introduce them to research culture and careers in the life sciences. The program emphasizes curiosity-driven investigation and mentorship while providing structured support from multiple scientists within each team.
8. JAX Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: $7,500 stipend plus room, board, and travel expenses covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 30 – August 7 (Bar Harbor) / May 30 – August 10 (Farmington)
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and graduating high school seniors interested in genetics and genomics research
The JAX Summer Student Program (SSP) is a rigorous research fellowship focused on genetics and genomics that places students directly into active laboratory environments for intensive mentored research. Over 10 weeks, participants collaborate with scientific mentors on ongoing projects while gradually developing independence in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving. In addition to laboratory work, students participate in journal clubs, professional development workshops, and training sessions covering topics such as genetic testing, science communication, peer review, and data visualization. The program also exposes students to a broad range of science-related careers through interactions with researchers, veterinarians, grant writers, and other professionals working across the scientific ecosystem.
9. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: Multiple University of California campuses, including UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz
Cost/Stipend: $5,518 program fee plus $46 application fee; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 160–200 students per campus
Dates: July 5 – July 31/August 1
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: California high school students completing grades 8–12
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is a four-week residential STEM enrichment program that allows students to study advanced scientific topics through intensive, lab-based coursework at participating University of California campuses. You can select one campus and join specialized academic clusters led by university faculty, researchers, and scientists, exploring subjects that often go far beyond the standard high school curriculum. Depending on the campus and cluster, you may study areas such as engineering, biology, computer science, mathematics, environmental science, biotechnology, robotics, or data science while working in state-of-the-art research facilities. The program emphasizes collaborative learning, hands-on experimentation, and exposure to STEM careers through challenging projects and close interaction with mentors and peers who share strong academic interests.
10. Garcia Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 laboratory usage fee; optional housing and meal costs not included; $50 non-refundable registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 24 – August 7
Application Deadline: There is no information available
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old by July 4, with a minimum unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0), standardized test scores above the 60th percentile, and coursework in at least three core STEM-related subjects, including chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology, or English
The Garcia Summer Research Program at the Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces gives academically advanced high school students the chance to conduct original materials science and polymer research alongside university faculty, graduate students, and researchers. During the seven-week program, you’ll join active research teams and work on independent scientific projects while learning laboratory techniques and research methods used in modern polymer science and engineering. You will be encouraged to contribute meaningful findings to the scientific community through presentations, publications, and submissions to competitions such as ISEF and other science fairs. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes creativity, leadership, and long-term mentorship, with opportunities for you to continue research during the academic year through the Garcia mentor program.
11. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Multiple university campuses across the United States
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded for students with demonstrated financial need; program fee up to $11,800 with extensive financial aid and optional $3,000 stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 5 weeks during the summer, beginning mid-to-late June
Application Deadline: January 29 for international applicants; February 19 for domestic applicants
Eligibility: High school juniors graduating in the next two years, depending on the application cycle; international and U.S. students may apply
One of the longest-running and most respected STEM research programs for high school students, the Summer Science Program (SSP) immerses participants in collaborative, college-level scientific research across fields such as astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, and cell biology. The program places students on university campuses where they spend five intensive weeks conducting real research projects with professional scientific equipment under the guidance of faculty, researchers, and STEM mentors. Depending on the research track, you might calculate asteroid orbits, investigate antibiotic resistance in microbes, study enzyme inhibitors, or use gene-editing techniques in laboratory experiments. Beyond research, SSP includes guest lectures from leading scientists, collaborative problem-solving, field trips, and residential community activities that mirror the pace and independence of university STEM programs.
12. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (for in-person courses) and virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free for families earning under $200,000 annually; $2,400 program fee for families above that threshold; housing not provided for in-person programs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four weeks during July
Application Deadline: Summer application released in March after prerequisite coursework registration
Eligibility: Students living and attending high school in the United States who are current high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors; current seniors are not eligible
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is an intensive STEM program that combines advanced technical coursework with collaborative, project-based learning in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotics, aerospace, autonomous systems, medical analytics, and hardware engineering. Before applying to the summer program, students complete free online prerequisite courses that prepare them for the pace and technical rigor of the summer curriculum. During the four-week program, participants work in teams on ambitious engineering and research projects ranging from autonomous drones and underwater vehicles to AI-driven medical tools and serious game development. Courses are taught through a workshop-style format emphasizing coding, systems thinking, experimentation, and collaboration rather than traditional lectures alone.
13. Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Cost/Stipend: $5,675 commuter option; $13,274 residential option; limited need-based scholarships available; $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 or 11 with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.80; exceptional 9th graders considered on a case-by-case basis
The Research Mentorship Program gives students the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary university-level research while working closely with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or faculty mentors. You can select from a wide range of research disciplines and spend the summer learning research techniques, contributing to active projects, and exploring how academic research is conducted in professional settings. In addition to hands-on mentorship, students attend the GRIT lecture series, where members of the UCSB research community present cutting-edge scientific discoveries and innovations. The program also immerses students in campus life, encouraging collaboration and networking with peers who share strong academic and research interests.
14. Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP)
Location: Hempstead, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2,250 tuition plus $65 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in 10th or 11th grade, at least 15 years old by the start of the program, with at least one year of a high school research course
The Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP) offers students the opportunity to conduct faculty-mentored research across a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, psychology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, geology, sociology, and public health. Participants spend four weeks working on research projects alongside university mentors while developing skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Students are selected through a competitive process that considers academic performance, demonstrated interest in research, interviews, faculty recommendations, and mentor availability. The program concludes with a formal poster presentation session where participants share their research findings with families, teachers, and peers, and many students continue on to regional and national science competitions.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the best science summer research programs for high school students?
Strong options include RSI at MIT for competitive independent STEM research, JAX SSP for genetics and genomics with a $7,500 stipend, Rockefeller SSRP for collaborative biomedical research, Stanford SIMR for medical and biological sciences, and Veritas AI and Lumiere for virtual independent research in AI and other scientific fields.
2. Are there free or paid science summer research programs for high school students?
Yes, RSI and Clark Scholars are fully funded, JAX SSP provides a $7,500 stipend with room and board covered, Simons Summer Research provides a stipend, and SSP is fully funded for students with demonstrated financial need. BWSI is free for families earning under $200,000, and Veritas AI and Lumiere offer full financial aid for qualifying students.
3. Which programs are most selective?
RSI accepts fewer than 2.5 percent of applicants and draws from a global pool, Clark Scholars accepts only 12 students per year, and Rockefeller SSRP accepts 32 students. Simons Summer Research and Garcia Summer Research Program also have competitive admissions processes with strong academic requirements.
4. When should I apply to science summer research programs for high school students?
Rockefeller SSRP closes January 2, JAX SSP closes January 26, and Simons closes February 5. Clark Scholars closes February 16, Stanford SIMR closes February 21, and COSMOS closes February 6. Students should begin researching options in the fall to avoid missing the most competitive deadlines.