15 STEM Research Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)

If you are a high school student interested in STEM, participating in a research program can be a good way to deepen your understanding of different subjects and areas within the field. These programs often blend experimentation with mentorship from researchers, helping you build technical skills, practice critical thinking, and explore scientific questions. Whether you’re working in a lab, conducting fieldwork, or contributing to a long-term research project, these experiences help you grow as a learner and prepare for future academic opportunities.

Why should you attend a program in New York City?

New York City offers a wide range of research opportunities for high school students interested in STEM. You might conduct experiments in university labs, code and analyze data, or work on long-term projects guided by scientists and mentors while learning how research is carried out. Whether you live in the city or are visiting for the summer, these programs can help you expand your skills and explore your interests in science.

To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 STEM research programs for high school students in New York City.

If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.

1. The City College of New York STEM Research Academy

Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: None (student may receive a stipend of $1,575 upon completion)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students

Dates: February 10 – May 23 (spring) | July 6 – August 6 (summer)

Application Deadline: January 16

Eligibility: High school students in 10th–11th grade

The STEM Research Academy provides NYC high-school students with a clear pathway into genuine scientific research. You start with a semester-long research methods course in spring, where students learn essential skills such as experimental design, data analysis, literature review, scientific communication, and lab safety. In summer, accepted students complete a paid research internship at CCNY or at a partner laboratory, joining research teams and working on real projects under faculty supervision. Throughout the program, you can develop practical STEM skills and strengthen your ability to present findings and think like a young scientist.

2. Veritas AI Fellowship

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is 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: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Cost/Stipend: None | $1,000 stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 1 – August 14

Application Deadline: February 21

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents

NYU’s ARISE program engages high school students in hands-on research at the Tandon School of Engineering, where they spend 10 weeks collaborating with NYU faculty, graduate researchers, and lab teams. You will receive structured training in robotics, computer science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, and environmental science before contributing to real-world research projects. The program focuses on developing skills like lab techniques, data analysis, scientific communication, and research ethics through workshops and weekly seminars. Each student conducts a research project under mentorship and presents their results at a final symposium.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – STEM Track

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by program; financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week, intensive research experience where you collaborate one-on-one with a PhD mentor on a project in the subject of your choice. Through regular meetings, you’ll outline your research plan, receive detailed feedback, and ultimately produce a college-level research paper. You can select from a wide range of fields, including computer science, psychology, economics, engineering, data science, chemistry, and international relations. Admission is competitive, with an acceptance rate under 15%. The program also provides access to writing support, optional publication assistance, and structured guidance throughout your research journey.

5. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace

Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY

Stipend: $2,000

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Spring Session: February 25 – May 21 | Summer Session: July 6 – August 14

Application Deadline: Applications open on November 1

Eligibility: High school students ages 16+; must live in or attend an NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace

Biorocket is a six-month research internship that pairs you with scientist mentors to work on a molecular biology or genetic engineering project. You will acquire laboratory skills, design and execute your own summer research project, and present your results publicly. The program features improv-based science communication workshops and visits to biotech laboratories and companies. There are no GPA or transcript prerequisites, and students from underrepresented STEM groups are highly encouraged to apply.

6. American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program

Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

Stipend: $2,500

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Year-long program; August – June

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who attend a partner school or program, or who have previously participated in designated AMNH youth programs

The SRMP at the American Museum of Natural History is a year-long internship in which you conduct a research project under the guidance of a museum scientist. It begins with a four-week Summer Institute in August, which includes workshops, field activities, and training in coding, laboratory techniques, and data science. Throughout the school year, you’ll meet twice weekly to work on your project and attend monthly advisory meetings. Research areas span astronomy, biology, environmental science, and machine learning. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your work.

7. Baruch College STEM Research Academy

Location: Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, NY

Stipend: $1,575 (paid the following fall semester)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students

Dates: Spring course: January 26 – May 26 | Summer research: mid-July – mid-August

Application Deadline: December 4

Eligibility: NYC public high school students in 10th or 11th grade with a minimum overall GPA of 80; students from underrepresented groups encouraged to apply

Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy begins with a spring-semester course in which you learn the fundamentals of experimental design, scientific writing, and research paper analysis. Students who complete the course and are selected advance to a six-week summer internship, during which they’ll conduct a research project with a Baruch or CUNY faculty mentor in areas such as biology, psychology, or environmental science. Your work will be showcased at the CUNY STEM Research Exhibition. The program is fully funded and provides mentorship, a stipend, and college credit.

8. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students each summer

Dates: June 22 – August 6

Application Deadline: January 2

Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are 16 years old by the program start

Rockefeller University’s SSRP is a free, seven-week summer research program where you work full-time on a laboratory project. You’ll join a small research team supervised by scientists from Rockefeller, Weill Cornell, or Memorial Sloan Kettering. Following your foundational training in core lab techniques, you’ll choose a research question to explore with your group. The program ends with a poster presentation, and over the course of seven weeks, you’ll attend various lectures, electives, and collaborative activities.

9. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Stipend: $1,200

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2% acceptance rate

Dates: June 29 – August 21

Application Deadline: February 6

Eligibility: Current high school juniors who live within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus. Applicants must be at least 14 years old by June, have valid U.S. work authorization, and hold a minimum 3.5 GPA in their science subjects

Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program is a prestigious, research-focused opportunity for students interested in biomedical science. Under the mentorship of MSK researchers, you’ll carry out an independent project connected to cancer research and attend workshops, seminars, and sessions on translational science. The program is highly selective, admitting only around 20 students from over 1,000 applicants. Full attendance is required, and applicants are not allowed to contact MSK faculty during the application process.

10. Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Cost/Stipend: No cost except for residents, dorm fee $2,450 + additional meal costs | Stipend typically provided, amount not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically below ~5%

Dates: June 29 – August 7

Application Deadline: February 5

Eligibility: Current high-school junior (11th grade), U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and at least 16 years old by the program start 

The Simons Summer Research Program provides motivated high-school juniors with an immersive, practical STEM research experience at Stony Brook University. Over the seven-week summer session, you’ll join a university research team and work alongside faculty and graduate mentors on a meaningful science, engineering, or math project. Alongside lab work or computational research, you'll participate in weekly faculty talks, specialized workshops, and events aimed at expanding your scientific knowledge and skills. The program concludes with presenting your findings at a poster symposium, a genuine academic setting where you can enhance your communication and presentation skills. 

11. New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute High School Internship

Location: NYSCF Research Institute, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 2 – August 8 (tentative, based on previous years)

Application Deadline: January 31 (tentative, based on previous years)

Eligibility: High school students connected to NYSCF partner organizations

The NYSCF High School Internship is a paid summer opportunity that places you full-time in a stem cell research lab at the NYSCF Research Institute. Through a partner organization, you’ll be paired with a mentor and contribute to active biomedical research projects. During the program, you’ll develop lab skills in tissue culture, data interpretation, and scientific communication. This program is highly selective with limited spots, offering exceptional hands-on experience in professional science and biotechnology environments.

12. Hk Maker Lab Summer Engineering Design Program

Location: Columbia University and HYPOTHEkids, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 6 – August 7

Application Deadline: December 5

Eligibility: 10th–11th grade students from NYC public or charter schools who will graduate within the next two years and can show educational or economic disadvantage

HK Maker Lab is a free, five-week engineering program designed for high school students from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds. It begins with a three-week SHAPE course at Columbia University, where you explore topics including biomedical engineering and design. In the final two weeks, you’ll work in teams to develop an app or website that tackles a real public health issue. The program focuses on building technical skills and fostering creative problem-solving, with mentorship support throughout. Completing the program may make students eligible for NY Bioforce, a paid STEM internship available the next summer.

13. Hofstra University’s Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP)

Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Cost: $2,250

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 6 – July 31

Application Deadline: January 12

Eligibility: High school students enrolled in 10th or 11th grade at the time of application; must have completed a lab science course

The Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program (HUSSRP) enables high school students to conduct hands-on STEM research alongside university faculty. After being matched with a mentor and completing an interview, you’ll begin a research project that may involve lab work, coding, data analysis, or tackling scientific or mathematical problems. The program opens with orientation and safety training, and each Wednesday features a seminar and lunch session with faculty and fellow researchers. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings during a campus poster session and may choose to submit your project to science fairs or competitions.

14. NYU GSTEM

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost: $5,500 (tuition) + $3,840 (optional housing with meal plan)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students

Dates: June 30 – August 8

Application Deadline: March 2

Eligibility: High school students who are in 11th grade with a strong interest in STEM

NYU’s GSTEM program offers a six-week research experience across STEM fields. You will be paired with a mentor, typically a university researcher, and will work on an independent project in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, or mathematics. Besides conducting research, you’ll participate in weekly workshops on scientific writing and public speaking, and join field trips to STEM institutions across New York City. The program ends with a research symposium where you'll present your work.

15. Columbia Engineering's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY

Cost: Residential fee: $10,705 | Commuter fee: $5,880 (Need-based scholarships available)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Average class size is 25 students

Dates: Session 1: July 6 – July 24 | Session 2: July 27 – August 14

Application Deadline: March 2

Eligibility: Current high school students (16+ for the residential program)

The SHAPE (Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers) offers motivated high school students an immersive introduction to engineering and STEM at Columbia University’s engineering school. Over three weeks, you'll engage in project-based learning, technical lectures, lab sessions, and design challenges that reflect real undergraduate engineering courses. You’ll collaborate with peers on team projects, interact with Columbia faculty and graduate students, and explore fields like mechanical, electrical, computer, and civil engineering, along with systems design, robotics, and data science. In addition to structured academic activities, social events, and campus functions will give you a taste of college life in New York City.

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