14 STEM Research Programs for High School
If you are a high school student interested in STEM, research programs can offer you a glimpse into how researchers design experiments, analyze data, and then communicate results effectively. These programs offer you a wide range of experiences, including lab internships, independent projects, and computational research, often guided by experienced faculty and graduate student mentors. These are typically offered by universities, labs, or industry mentors, helping you develop technical, analytical, and collaboration skills.
Massachusetts stands out for its leading universities and research institutions that offer STEM research programs. You can engage in research projects, often mentored by leading scientists and professors from institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Northeastern, gaining practical skills and exposure to professional resources. The state’s strong emphasis on STEM education, coupled with valuable networking opportunities and industry connections, makes the opportunities offered in Massachusetts valuable for both local and out-of-state students.
Below, we have listed 14 STEM research programs for high school students, including a few virtual options.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $75 non-refundable application fee (can be waived)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <2.5%; 100 students
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 years old by the start of the program. You can view additional requirements here
At the Research Science Institute, you’ll experience the complete research process from theory to presentation. The program begins with an intensive week of advanced STEM coursework led by MIT faculty, introducing you to key concepts across biology, chemistry, and engineering. You then move into a mentored research phase, where you design and conduct your own project alongside scientists and graduate students. Expect to read current academic literature, collect and analyze data, and present your findings in both written and oral formats. RSI is one of the most recognized STEM research programs for high school students in Massachusetts, giving you a look at how professional scientists approach real-world problems across disciplines.
2. Veritas AI's AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1:1 student/mentor ratio
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including summer, winter, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students with a basic understanding of Python or who have completed the AI Scholars program
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. MIT Think Scholars
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Up to $1,000 funding for projects
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 6 students
Dates: February – June
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students with a permanent residence in the US
MIT’s THINK Scholars focuses on early-stage scientific innovation: your own ideas form the foundation of your work. Instead of joining an existing lab, you’ll design a project proposal in science, technology, or engineering, then refine it under the guidance of MIT mentors. Weekly meetings help you turn your concept into a feasible research plan, from defining methods to budgeting materials. You’ll also visit MIT labs, meet undergraduates in related fields, and present your progress to peers. This Massachusetts-based STEM program supports high school students in transforming conceptual research ideas into practical, testable projects.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program's STEM Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically small cohort sizes for personalized attention
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including summer, winter, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Winter I Cohort: November 16
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with top researchers for an intensive 12-week research experience. You receive individualized mentorship, structured workshops, and guidance on writing a publishable research paper. With areas ranging from biotechnology and machine learning to behavioral economics, the program allows students to either select from existing topics or design one of their own. By the end of the experience, you’ll have gained deep research exposure and practical insight into how professionals conduct and communicate STEM research. You may also be eligible to earn a UCSD credit. You can apply here.
5. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 30 – 40 students each year
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: Late-January
Eligibility: Rising seniors who attend a high school in Massachusetts | B or better in science and math | US citizens or permanent residents or non-US citizens with employment authorization (i.e. DACA)
At the Broad Institute, you’ll work alongside scientists on active projects in cancer biology, computational modeling, and infectious disease. This STEM research program introduces you to both experimental and computational approaches, allowing you to see how data and lab work intersect in biomedical research. You’ll attend technical training, scientific talks, and poster sessions while learning how to frame your findings for presentation. Each week blends research with discussion, giving you practice analyzing results and interpreting complex datasets. It is a prestigious, highly selective six-week summer research internship where you develop laboratory, computational, and problem-solving skills.
6. ADA Forsyth Student Scholars Summer Program
Location: ADA Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Minimum wage paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 12 – 15 students per cohort
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: 9th, 10th, or 11th graders living in the Eastern Massachusetts/Boston area
In this summer internship at the ADA Forsyth Institute, you’ll work alongside scientists conducting studies in immunology, microbiology, and oral health. Early in the program, you’ll learn foundational lab techniques and safety practices before moving on to assist with ongoing research. Weekly meetings and peer presentations give you practice sharing data and discussing results with mentors. It’s a research-focused STEM opportunity that combines laboratory training with exposure to real-world health science applications. By the end, you’ll have completed a small-scale project and presented your findings to a professional audience.
7. Northeastern University Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 20–30 students
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and live within commuting distance of Northeastern University | US citizens or permanent residents
Through Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program, you’ll join researchers in labs focused on topics like renewable energy, biomedical engineering, and computer modeling. You’ll gain experience operating specialized equipment, interpreting data, and understanding how theory translates into experimentation. The program includes seminars that highlight different branches of engineering and how they connect to emerging industries. By the end, you’ll have a deeper sense of what day-to-day research involves and how collaboration drives discovery. For high school students seeking a STEM research program in Massachusetts, YSP offers an immersive, lab-based experience.
8. Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) CURE Program
Location: Various institutes in Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Weekly stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 20 students
Dates: 7–11 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students (usually rising juniors and seniors) who are at least 16 years old
CURE places you in a biomedical research environment where you’ll investigate cancer biology under the mentorship of working scientists. You’ll gain experience in lab techniques, data analysis, and experimental design while participating in professional development sessions on research communication and ethics. The program also incorporates journal clubs and networking events that connect you with researchers from hospitals and universities. Through this program, you’ll see how lab discoveries progress from hypothesis to publication in real clinical contexts. You will also get to expand professional and personal networks via organized and personal interviews and networking roundtables.
9. Mass Life Sciences Center (MLSC) High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various institutions across Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $17 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 150 opportunities annually
Dates: Usually 6 weeks of full-time work between May 1 and April 30 of the next year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Underrepresented and low-income high school students in Massachusetts who are at least 16 years old; view detailed eligibility requirements here
This initiative connects you with paid lab placements at small companies and research institutions throughout Massachusetts. Students from eligible areas can complete pre-internship training that covers lab safety, biotechnology fundamentals, and professional communication. Once in the lab, you’ll participate in supervised experimental work, learning the procedures and expectations of real research environments. The program’s structure helps you build technical fluency while understanding how research organizations operate. It’s a practical pathway for high school students seeking entry-level STEM experience through research and biotechnology internships in Massachusetts.
10. MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering and Science)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15 – 25 students
Dates: Year-long
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores who live within driving distance of Boston with an interest in math and computational biology
MIT PRIMES allows you to explore mathematics through original research guided by MIT mentors. You’ll move through distinct stages, from advanced readings and proposal development to active research and a formal write-up. The work often crosses into computational biology or theoretical computer science, requiring persistence and creativity as you solve open-ended problems. By the end of the year, you’ll have completed a paper suitable for presentation or publication. For Massachusetts high school students interested in long-term STEM research, PRIMES offers a uniquely academic structure focused on mathematical inquiry.
11. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 20 students
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and live in Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, and Quincy
The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) program is a prestigious, on-site six-week summer program designed for academically talented high school students interested in biomedical engineering research. In this program, you’ll take part in lab-based biomedical engineering projects that explore how cells, tissues, and materials interact. Over roughly six weeks, you’ll develop and test hypotheses, refine experimental techniques, and interpret data under faculty supervision. The work introduces you to standard methods in cell culture, imaging, and instrumentation while emphasizing independent thinking. You’ll conclude by presenting your research to mentors and peers, mirroring the structure of academic dissemination.
12. MIT √mathroots
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 20 students
Dates: 2 weeks in early July
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 with demonstrated academic excellence in mathematics | Review all eligibility criteria before submitting your application
√mathroots is a two-week mathematical talent accelerator hosted by MIT PRIMES that encourages high-potential high school students to explore advanced topics in mathematics and creative problem solving. You dive deep into engaging mathematical concepts through interactive classes, group activities, and guest lectures. You’ll explore combinatorics, number theory, and algebraic concepts through lectures, workshops, and team challenges. The program emphasizes collaboration and critical thinking while introducing participants to elegant mathematical proofs and reasoning. Students also join a supportive academic community of peers and mentors who share their curiosity and passion for math.
13. Summer Science & Engineering Program
Location: Smith College, Northampton, MA
Cost: Tentatively, $50 application fee + $4,700 - $4,800/session; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; over 150 students annually
Dates: Session 1: July 4 – 17; Session 2: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering 9th to 12th grade in the fall
The Smith College Summer Science & Engineering Program gives exceptional high school students the chance to engage in hands-on, lab-based study with Smith faculty. Courses combine learning and technical experimentation across topics such as Designing Intelligent Robots, Chemistry of Herbal Medicine, or Novel Bacteriophage Discovery. You gain direct experience using scientific instruments, conducting real experiments, and analyzing results collaboratively. Designed to encourage exploration, this STEM program helps students strengthen their analytical thinking and prepare for rigorous college-level science and engineering work. The core activities emphasize learning by doing and following the engineering design process.
14. UMass Research Intensives
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Cost/Stipend: $45 non-refundable application fee + $12,157 (residential); $7,022 (commuter), full and partial scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; estimated 20 – 30 students
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a B or higher in mathematics and science courses
At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Research Intensives program pairs you with faculty mentors in labs studying subjects such as plant biology, environmental chemistry, and neuroscience. You’ll take part in experimental planning, observation, and data analysis while learning how to navigate an academic lab setting. Depending on your placement, you might explore microbial genetics, bioengineering, or ecological systems. This hands-on experience is one of several research programs in Massachusetts designed for high school students ready to engage with professional science at a university level.
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