12 STEM Research Programs for High School Students in Florida
If you’re a high school student interested in conducting research in STEM, consider enrolling in a STEM research program. These programs allow you to move beyond classroom learning by developing research skills such as problem formulation, data analysis, and scientific communication while working alongside peers who share similar academic interests. Through research-focused experiences, you can also gain early exposure to how STEM work is carried out in academic and professional settings.
Why should you attend a program in Florida?
Florida has several reputable universities and organizations that offer research programs in STEM and related fields. As a participant, you may work on research questions, analyze data, design experiments, or contribute to ongoing scientific projects under guided supervision. Whether you are a Florida resident looking for opportunities close to home or an out-of-state student interested in spending the summer in a research-focused setting, the state provides a wide range of options to support your interests.
To help you get started, we've made a list of 12 STEM research programs for high school students in Florida.
If you are looking for internships in Florida, check out our blog here.
1. Florida State University: Young Scholars Program
Location: Florida State University campus, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living in Florida who have finished pre-calculus, have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0, and have a score in the top 90th percentile in standardized math/science exams
The Young Scholars Program at Florida State University is a six-week residential summer program for high school students interested in pursuing advanced study in STEM. You’ll study courses across mathematics, science, and computer programming. In mathematics courses, the focus is on problem-solving through topics such as game theory, modeling, and linear algebra. You’ll explore the applications of mathematical tools through studying encryption, strategic decision-making, and dynamic systems. You’ll also work on an independent research project in an active FSU lab under faculty supervision. The program concludes with a research poster presentation and a final paper.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program 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. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – December 3
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in Duval or St. Johns counties with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
The SPARK Research Mentorship Program offers Florida high school juniors and seniors a mentored research experience at the Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville. You’ll work directly in a professional laboratory for at least 25 hours per week, contributing to an active research project in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, epidemiology, or AI. You learn how scientific questions are formed, tested, and communicated through hands-on lab work and regular meetings with a research mentor. You will conclude with a formal oral presentation and a research poster presentation to the Mayo Clinic research community, and you can submit it to regional and state science fairs. See past research projects here.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: STEM Track
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world
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 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 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. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old, live in Palm Beach or Martin County, and have U.S. work authorization
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Summer Research Internship is a six-week, full-time program for high school students entering their junior or senior year. You’ll work directly with MPFI researchers on active projects focused on brain structure, function, and development. Depending on your track, you may conduct wet-lab experiments, analyze large neuroscience datasets, build software tools, or design mechanical components used in research labs. The program places strong emphasis on scientific thinking, data interpretation, and technical skill development. You will document your work by writing a scientific abstract based on your project. The internship concludes with a formal research presentation to MPFI scientists and the broader research community.
6. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship
Location: University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current juniors in Miami and Broward-area high schools with strong academic performance in biological and/or computational sciences
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is an eight-week paid research program for high-performing high school juniors from the Miami and Broward areas. You’ll work at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in labs focused on biological and computational sciences. You’ll join active research projects and work closely with faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff. You will learn how researchers design experiments, analyze data, and interpret results using quantitative and computational methods. The internship concludes with a final presentation, giving you the chance to share your work with peers and professionals.
7. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida Health
Location: Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, FL + the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute campus in Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $4,480
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 5 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students set to begin their junior or senior years in Palm Beach or Martin County high schools in the fall; applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be at least 16 years of age, and be US citizens or permanent residents
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship is an eight-week, full-time, paid research program at the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. You’ll be supervised by scientists from UF Scripps as you work in active biomedical or chemical research laboratories. You will focus on experimental design, data analysis, and bench research in drug discovery, biotechnology, and disease research. You will attend scientific seminars that will introduce you to a range of ongoing research questions and methods. By the end of the program, you’ll submit a written scientific abstract and present your work through a poster and oral presentation.
8. Florida International University (FIU) Summer Research Internship
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 12 – August 7
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: High school juniors, recent graduates committed to FIU, and accepted FIU transfer students; must be at least 16 with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Summer Research Internship Program at Florida International University offers high school students an eight-week introduction to cardiovascular health research. You’ll be matched with an FIU faculty mentor and spend at least 15 hours each week working in an interdisciplinary research lab focused on heart and vascular science. The curriculum includes engaging with case studies and research workshops. You will learn to think critically about experimental design and data interpretation. Throughout the summer, you can build communication and leadership skills through presentations and group discussions. The experience ends with a formal research presentation and abstract submission at a campus symposium.
9. Florida International University’s High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Florida International University Center for Translational Science, Port St. Lucie, FL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified; specific information available via public schools in St. Lucie County
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 8 – July 9
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in St. Lucie County
The FIU Center for Translational Science High School Summer Internship places juniors and seniors in active biomedical research labs for five weeks. You’ll work with FIU scientists on topics such as neuroscience, drug discovery, metabolism, and heart or lung physiology. The program teaches how researchers frame questions, test hypotheses, and analyze results using structured scientific and quantitative reasoning. You will spend time in state-of-the-art labs running experiments and interpreting data. The internship ends with a formal poster presentation at a CTS luncheon. You also earn more than 100 volunteer hours and leave with a research poster you can reuse in future competitions.
10. University of Florida’s Student Science Training Program (UF SSTP)
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $5,500 program fee + $50 application fee; Need-based scholarships available for Florida high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 90 students
Dates: June 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: Florida high school students: April 15 | International students: April 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grade 12 who are at least 16 years old by the program start date
The University of Florida Student Science Training Program is a seven-week, residential research experience for students interested in STEM. You will engage in faculty-mentored research, spending 30 hours per week on ongoing scientific projects. There are daily lectures on cutting-edge topics, an honors seminar class, and workshops and group discussions that help you develop critical thinking, technical writing, and communication skills. You will also attend individual and small-group mentorship sessions on scientific literature and research methodologies. The academic experience is supplemented by social activities, including service learning, field trips, and recreational events.
11. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote options available
Cost: Tuition costs $1,299; you receive three university course credits for participation in ASSIP
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years old or older as of the first day of the program each year if they are working in a laboratory with biological or chemical hazards. For all other internships, applicants must be 15 by the first day of the program, including remote internships
ASSIP is an eight-week, full-time research internship at George Mason University, where you work directly with a faculty researcher on an original project. During the summer, you'll utilize advanced research tools and lab technologies while contributing to ongoing STEM projects. The program starts with an orientation in mid-June and ends with a formal poster presentation in August. You’ll practice scientific writing and research communication through structured discussions and mentor feedback. You will also earn three college credits from George Mason University upon completion of the internship.
12. University of Florida’s Research Explorations (REx) Program
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $2,500 (includes accommodation, social activities, meals, insurance, staffing and supervision, and program supplies) plus a $35 non-refundable application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Sessions run between June 21 and July 31
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Research Explorations program at the University of Florida offers high school students an intensive introduction to university-level research. You’ll spend your days inside active research labs, working directly with UF faculty and graduate students. You’ll choose a focused track out of two options. The Biomedical Science track trains you in advanced laboratory techniques, including DNA and protein analysis, CRISPR, and gel electrophoresis. The Environmental Science and Toxicology track examines how air and water pollutants affect human and ecosystem health through hands-on investigation. You will also engage with the faculty through scheduled research talks and discussions on career options.
Image source - Florida State University Logo