15 STEM Research Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you are looking for a way to explore your interests in STEM in high school, consider research programs! STEM research programs can offer you a structured way to explore science and engineering beyond the classroom. As a high school participant, you will gain exposure to lab work, technical tools, and collaborative projects that can help you boost both academic and career readiness.
New York State hosts a range of university and institution-led STEM programs that focus on innovation and discovery. These programs offer learning opportunities in a lab, mentorship from professionals, and a glimpse into real research. Whether you are a local or visiting New York, you can benefit from access to top research facilities, diverse mentors, and connections within the state’s growing STEM network.
To make your search easier, we have come up with a list of 15 STEM research programs for high school students in New York State.
1. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: February 21
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in the upcoming school year
NYU’s ARISE Program is a 10-week summer opportunity that combines research training with practical lab experience. Over the first four weeks, you will develop essential skills in lab safety, academic writing, and research methodology. You will spend the remaining six weeks in an NYU laboratory, where you will gain around 120 hours of hands-on research experience in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer science, and machine learning. The program emphasizes analytical thinking, communication, and professional development. ARISE concludes with a research presentation at NYU and a poster session at the American Museum of Natural History.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Dates: Vary by cohort; multiple cohorts each year, scheduled in the summer, fall, spring, and winter
Eligibility: High school students who have completed Veritas AI’s AI Scholars program or have some experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI provides programs that allow high school students to explore AI and deepen their interest in the field through hands-on projects, mentorship, and collaboration. During the 15-week AI Fellowship, you will work independently on a research project that integrates AI with another area of your interest. You will also engage in virtual sessions to learn about AI and narrow down a topic of interest for your project. Throughout the experience, you will receive personalized guidance from mentors while strengthening both your technical and research abilities. You will present your project to peers at the end of the program.
3. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free with optional fees for residential participants; stipend awarded (amount unspecified)
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Application deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Students in 11th grade (at the time of application) who are 16 or older by the start of the program and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University gives high school students the chance to conduct hands-on research at a leading academic institution. As a Simons Fellow, you will work under the mentorship of a Stony Brook faculty member and collaborate with a research team on an assigned project. During the program, you will find opportunities to develop research skills and also attend workshops, seminars, and faculty presentations. The experience concludes with the submission of a written abstract and a poster presentation at a research symposium. You will commit at least four hours daily to your projects and receive a stipend for your contributions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies by cohort (summer, fall, winter, and spring); duration ranges from 12 weeks to 1 year depending on the format you choose.
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program for high school students who want to work on independent academic projects. Research opportunities span multiple disciplines, including physics, mathematics, psychology, economics, engineering, computer science, data science, chemistry, and international relations. Under the mentorship of a Ph.D. scholar, you will design, execute, and complete a research project tailored to your interests. Over 12 weeks or more, depending on the format you choose, you will develop your work into a formal research paper suitable for submission.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple locations across the country, including Rome Laboratory, NY
Stipend: Available; amount varies by site and education level. See specifics here
Acceptance rate: Selective; exact details not available
Application deadline: January 9
Dates: Varies for each internship; a minimum commitment of eight weeks is required.
Eligibility: Students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old by the application deadline
The AFRL Scholars Program provides paid internships for upper-level high school students interested in exploring aerospace engineering and research. You will work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers, contributing to advanced projects and gaining hands-on experience in innovative technologies. You can indicate your preference for up to three research topics per AFRL site based on your interests. As a participant, you will also have the chance to tour AFRL facilities and complete research assignments under expert mentorship. Most internships take place during the summer, though limited fall and spring positions are available.
6. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly disclosed, but participants typically get stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: October 31
Dates: Summer program; dates vary by year
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students enrolled in partner programs residing in New York City
The BRAINYAC program at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute provides high school students with an in-depth summer research experience in neuroscience. You will work with Columbia neuroscientists who will mentor you through a laboratory-based research project, offering firsthand insights into the process of scientific discovery. The program offers opportunities for hands-on experimentation along with exposure to academic research settings and practical skill-building opportunities relevant to scientific careers. As a participant, you will also get to engage with the neuroscience community and gain early research experience in the process.
7. Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP)
Location: New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $500
Cohort size: ~36 students
Application deadline: May 27
Dates: Lab training: August 25 – 29 + additional sessions and workshops scheduled during the academic year + symposium in early June/late May
Eligibility: High school students in New York City who are at least 13 years old
UBRP is an opportunity to study New York City’s biodiversity through DNA barcoding projects. The program begins with a training course that introduces key lab methods and topics such as conservation biology. Then, you will work within a small team under the guidance of a scientist mentor to design and complete a year-long research project. You will also attend events organized by the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium. The program concludes with a poster presentation at a symposium, where you will present your findings on how human activity influences biodiversity.
8. BioRocket Internship
Location: Genspace, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Application deadline: Early January; applications typically open in November
Dates: Spring Session: February 25 – May 21 | Summer Session: July 6 – August 14
Eligibility: Students who are 16 years or older by orientation date and live or attend a NYC Public or Charter School within 45 minutes of Genspace
The Biorocket Research Internship is a six-month program designed to introduce high schoolers to biology and genetic engineering through hands-on laboratory research. The program will pair you with scientists to design and carry out a summer research project aligned with your interests. In addition to lab work, you will take part in improv-based workshops aimed at improving science communication. You will also visit biotech companies, interact with professionals, and receive career mentorship. You will share your work with peers and family members at the end of the program.
9. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) Environmentor
Location: Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Acceptance rate: Selective; small cohort
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: June – mid-August
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11 who live or attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
The Environmentor program offers high school students practical exposure to environmental research focused on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. Over the course of six weeks, you will work with a science mentor from a local university or research center to design and complete an independent project. The program also offers water safety and CPR training, along with the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, and surfing. Additionally, you will also take part in community service initiatives led by RISE. You will earn service hours while contributing to local environmental efforts.
10. NYU High School Bioethics Project Internship
Location: NYU Langone Health, NY
Stipend: $640
Application Deadline: January 26
Dates: March 24 – May 16
Eligibility: High school juniors in the New York City metropolitan area
The NYU High School Bioethics Project Internship is an opportunity to examine the ethical questions that influence modern science. Over eight weeks, you will investigate topics such as reproductive technology, stem cell use, and physician-assisted dying. You will help develop educational content for the project’s online lesson database and website, making bioethics more accessible to teachers and students. The program also features discussions with professionals in medicine, law, ethics, and pharmaceuticals. Through this experience, you will explore how moral considerations shape scientific advancements and policy decisions.
11. New York Bioforce
Location: Various academic, industry, and healthcare labs across NYC
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by host site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: Life Science Research and Professional Skills Training: April – July; Mentored Internships: July – August
Eligibility: 11th or 12th-grade students attending an NYCDOE public or charter high school
New York Bioforce is a two-part program designed for students from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds interested in STEAM fields. In the spring, you will complete 100 hours of Saturday sessions focused on lab skills, STEAM concepts, and professional development. In the summer, you will take part in a six-week paid internship at research labs or healthcare organizations such as Columbia Engineering and the New York Proton Center. You will gain hands-on experience and present research at the American Museum of Natural History.
12. BEYOND ALBERT Research Program
Location: Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer session: Late June – mid-August; after-school weekly program: September – May
Application deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in a Bronx high school
BEYOND ALBERT is a research and education program that introduces you to cancer biology and biomedical science through immersive lab experiences. During the program, you will spend about eight weeks in research labs at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, practicing biomedical techniques while also participating in seminars and workshops led by researchers and faculty. You will also earn college credits for your participation. The program continues throughout the school year, offering you access to an after-school series featuring scientific talks, career development sessions, and additional mentorship opportunities. You will also receive a stipend, daily meal vouchers, and MetroCards, along with the opportunity to present your research to the faculty.
13. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: The City University of New York, the program is available in multiple campuses.
Stipend: Varies by campus; typically, ~$1,500 offered for summer research participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size can vary by campus
Application deadline: Varies depending on the campus chosen
Dates: Vary by campus; the program is split into spring courses and summer research
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
The STEM Research Academy is a two-semester initiative designed for NYC Public School high school students interested in exploring scientific research. During the spring semester, you’ll enroll in a CUNY pre-college course focused on building research and analytical skills. This is followed by a six-week summer placement in a CUNY laboratory, where you will gain hands-on experience conducting experiments and collecting data. The program focuses on offering access to mentorship, collaboration, and STEM career development. You will present your projects at a research exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History and receive a stipend along with continued mentorship opportunities.
14. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for NY students
Cost: $25 application fee; waivers are available based on financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates who are 15 or older by June 18
ASSIP at George Mason University allows high school students to engage in hands-on research under the mentorship of university faculty. You will engage in research about 30 hours a week, gaining exposure to advanced tools and technologies in engineering, robotics, cybersecurity, machine learning, nanoscience, or other STEM fields. The program also offers opportunities to develop skills in scientific writing, communication, and critical thinking. You may also contribute to professional publications or present your research at conferences. The internship concludes with a symposium where you will share your findings with peers and faculty.
15. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application fee: $40 + program participation fee: $850; dee waivers/scholarships available
Cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12 who reside in the U.S. and are at least 14 years old by the start of the program
Stanford offers this two-week virtual summer program for high school students interested in AI, technology, and engineering. As a participant, you will explore how artificial intelligence is used in healthcare through a mix of lectures, hands-on projects, and collaborative learning. You will attend sessions led by Stanford researchers, work in teams on computational projects related to medical imaging or healthcare, and participate in career discussions with professionals from various sectors. The program also offers an extended research internship opportunity, which you can choose to engage in during the school year.
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