14 STEM Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you are a high school student interested in exploring STEM, research programs offer a valuable way to get practical experience and apply what you’ve learned in the classroom. These programs typically include lab work, project-based learning, and mentorship from industry professionals, aiding in the development of both technical and critical thinking skills. By participating in these experiences early, you can strengthen your academic foundation, explore your interests, and gain a clearer sense of what you might want to study in college or pursue as a career.
Why should you attend a program in Texas?
Texas is home to nationally recognized universities, medical centers, and research labs that offer rigorous STEM programs for high school students. Many of these programs allow you to work in professional research environments, assisting with data analysis and designing experiments. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, you can work on research, connect with experts, and explore future careers in science and engineering through these programs.
In this blog, you’ll find our curated list of 14 STEM research programs for high school students in Texas.
If you are looking for internships in Texas, check out our blog here.
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 Application fee | Students will receive a $750 stipend upon successful completion of the research project report
Program Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University allows you to delve into a subject you’re passionate about through a seven-week summer research internship offered to only 12 high school juniors and seniors each year. This highly selective program allows you to work closely with TTU faculty on a real research project while gaining exposure to advanced academic environments. Along with your research, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, group discussions, and field trips that deepen your understanding of your field. Throughout the summer, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking skills, explore your career interests, and connect with motivated peers.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Program 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.
3. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200 (10 weeks) | $6,480 (9 weeks)
Program Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors who are 18 years or older by program start | U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holders
The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program is a 10-week program in which you explore biomedical science at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas. In this program, you work in real research labs and learn how scientists study things like cancer and genetics. You’ll practice basic lab skills, help collect and study data, and be part of an actual research project. You also attend practical, informative seminars that explain how scientific research works and what scientists do every day.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring
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.
5. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Hybrid; with the on-site portion of the internship conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: None
Program Dates: Distance learning modules: May 15 – July 1; remote project work: June – July 3; on-site internship: July 5 – 18; virtual science symposium: July 20 – 21
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The University of Texas at Austin's STEM Enhancement in Earth Science program, in partnership with NASA, provides an opportunity to explore Earth and space research through a combination of virtual learning and in-person research experience. You will begin with online modules that introduce key Earth science concepts and teach you the basics of Python programming so you can work with real NASA satellite data. In July, you will visit the University of Texas at Austin for on-site research, where you will collaborate with NASA scientists on projects such as visualizing remote sensing data, studying ice sheets, examining Earth’s gravity field, and learning the steps involved in mission design. Throughout the program, you can develop practical skills in data analysis and scientific investigation. Upon completion, you will receive a NASA certificate recognizing your achievement.
6. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Virtual + possible in-person activities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: September 27
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens and Texas residents
Texas High School Aerospace Scholars is a year-long STEM program for Texas high school juniors that connects classroom learning to NASA’s space exploration and scientific research. The experience begins with a five-month online course during the school year, where you complete lessons in Earth science, robotics, aeronautics, and space systems while tackling design challenges that mirror real NASA research problems. If you complete the course, you may be selected for Moonshot, a virtual summer experience where you join a student team to participate in engineering simulations, research-based mission planning, and problem-solving exercises modeled on actual NASA projects. Throughout the week, you’ll apply scientific reasoning and data-driven research methods to design components of a Moon or Mars mission, giving you a deeper understanding of how NASA develops and tests ideas for future space exploration.
7. Baylor College of Medicine’s Saturday Morning Science (SMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 11 – August 4
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older by June 1 | U.S. Social Security card or a U.S. Permanent Resident card | Previous Saturday Morning Science participation or affiliation with certain undergraduate affiliate programs
The SMS Summer Research Program at Baylor College of Medicine is an intensive eight-week experience for high school students interested in science or medicine. Each week, you’ll spend around 40 hours in a research lab, working on a project with guidance from a faculty member, postdoc, or graduate student. Along with lab work, you’ll join research meetings to share your progress, get feedback, and build your skills in scientific writing and presenting. You’ll also attend weekly “Lunch and Learn” sessions on topics like research ethics, STEM careers, and preparing for college.
8. MohanLab Summer Internship
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
This program offers an 8-week opportunity to conduct authentic biomedical research in the University of Houston’s Mohan Lab. It begins with 1–2 weeks of basic training, during which a graduate student or scientist teaches you lab techniques. Following this, you participate in ongoing projects within biomedical engineering or health sciences. At the conclusion of the program, you will present your work during a lab meeting. Some students may also have the opportunity to stay after summer to assist with writing research papers or conducting more advanced data analysis.
9. DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students at least 18 or older by the start of the program
The DACCPM (Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine) Summer Research Program is a selective 10-week program for students interested in medical research. As a trainee, you’ll learn key laboratory and clinical research skills, such as reviewing medical literature, collecting data, and analyzing results. You’ll also take part in workshops on topics like preparing for graduate school and exploring different medical career paths.
Throughout the summer, you’ll work closely with a faculty mentor on a research project, which you will present at a poster symposium at the end of the program. Your project abstract will also be published in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.
10. Welch Summer Scholar Program (WSSP)
Location: One of five universities in Texas
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: June 8 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Texas
The Welch Foundation Summer Scholars Program gives high school sophomores and juniors a six-week research experience in real university labs across Texas. The program is free and takes place at partner universities, including Rice University, the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Texas Tech. You’ll be matched with a lab that aligns with your interests and paired with a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher who will mentor you throughout the summer. A faculty member will supervise your project and support your progress. Each day, you’ll engage in practical research by learning lab techniques, conducting experiments, gathering data, and analyzing outcomes.
11. High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000; financial aid available
Program Dates: June 8 – July 15
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Texas residents and will be at least 15 years old at program start
The Summer High School Research Academy at UT Austin is a five-week program where you work on real science projects in university labs. You’ll be matched with a lab based on what you’re interested in, like biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering. Every day, you’ll engage in hands-on experiments, gather data, and read scientific papers to deepen your understanding of your project. You’ll learn how scientists pose questions, test hypotheses, and address problems. Alongside your main project, you'll collaborate with a small team on a research assignment, developing teamwork and communication skills.
12. UT Dallas Summer Biology Research Workshop (SBRW)
Location: UT Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $2,000
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade who are at least 15 years old
The Summer Biology Research Workshop at the University of Texas at Dallas is a four-week program designed to give you hands-on experience in biological research. You will begin with a week of intensive laboratory training, learning essential techniques and methods used in modern biology, and then spend the following three weeks working closely with faculty mentors on real research projects. Throughout the program, you will gain experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis, while exploring topics including molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology. You will also participate in seminars and discussions that introduce current research trends and help you understand how scientific questions are addressed in a professional laboratory setting.
13. NanoExplorers Program
Location: UT Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $5,000
Program Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
The NanoExplorers Program at the University of Texas at Dallas is a free, two-month summer research experience that introduces you to the world of nanotechnology through hands-on work in real university labs. Throughout the program, you will work alongside UT Dallas faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers as you explore topics such as nanomaterials, energy devices, biomedical nanotechnology, sensors, and advanced chemistry. You will learn how to conduct experiments, analyze data, use specialized lab instruments, and understand the scientific questions driving ongoing research. In addition to daily lab work, the program includes seminars, workshops, and a final research symposium where you present your findings.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 20
Program Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the fall; over the age of 14 by the program’s start
This online summer STEM program offers a two-week immersive experience focused on the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Participants will attend technical lectures on core AI concepts and their use in medical contexts, while engaging in daily mentorship and collaborative research projects to put these ideas into practice. Guest speakers from government, academia, and industry will provide insights into emerging healthcare technologies, complemented by career-focused “Lunch and Learn” sessions. After completing the core program, you will have the option to continue with extended research projects, and you will receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing your participation and accomplishments.
Image source - Veritas AI Logo