16 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Georgia
If you’re a high school student in Georgia with an interest in research, summer can be a great time to conduct research in a subject that interests you. Many research programs blend lectures or workshops with practical projects. As a participant, you may assist faculty with ongoing experiments, present your results at the program's conclusion, or learn how to operate equipment used in professional research.
Programs range in length from one week to several weeks. Offered by reputable universities and organizations in Georgia, these local programs are a great way to save on long-distance travel. Some of them also offer financial assistance, making them accessible. A summer research program is a great way for you to develop your skills and knowledge in your field of interest.
Below, you’ll find 16 summer research programs for high school students in Georgia.
16 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Georgia
1. Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars
Location: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,400 stipend for those who complete the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, with only 10-12 students annually
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are 16 years old by the program’s start
The Summer Scholars Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute offers high school seniors a six-week, full-time immersion in cancer research. You will work with a physician or lab researcher as a mentor on a practical project in a clinic or laboratory setting. You will also attend lectures by oncology experts, visit places like the CDC David J. Sencer Museum and Georgia Tech, and learn about careers related to cancer. The program concludes as you present your work at a final symposium with a 10-minute talk and a research poster for Winship faculty and students.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program type. Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by cohort
Dates: Varies based on cohort; you will spend 25 hours over 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Completion of the AI Scholars program or prior Python experience.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you will work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you will have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Morehouse School of Medicine GROW CELLS (Granting Research Opportunities in Wellness by Creating Exciting Learning Laboratories in Science)
Location: Virtual and in-person at the Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: $500 monthly stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: June 9 – July 23
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th & 12th grade students
The GROW CELLS (Granting Research Opportunities in Wellness by Creating Exciting Learning Laboratories in Science) is a summer cancer research program for rising high school students. It is offered by the Cancer Health Equity Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine. You will participate in virtual and in-person presentations during the first four weeks, followed by two weeks of fieldwork, practicum, and abstract review sessions. The program culminates in your research poster presentation at the Cancer Research Symposium.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by cohort
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
5. Health Careers Exposure Program (HCEP) Academy High School Ambassador
Location: Hybrid
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20-25 students
Dates: June 2 – 27
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Rising juniors with a minimum GPA of 2.85
The Morehouse School of Medicine HCEP Academy offers the four-week summer research High School Ambassador program to rising juniors from underserved communities. Led by MSM faculty and medical students, you will explore health sciences, analyze case studies, and participate in collaborative research with peers. You’ll also attend professional development courses and explore career pathways with healthcare professionals.
6. University of Georgia’s Young Scholars Internship Program (YSP)
Location: University of Georgia campuses (Athens, Tifton, and Griffin in GA)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: May 29 – July 12
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Students must have completed their sophomore year of high school, be at least 16 years old by the program start date, and have completed one high school science course, including laboratory, and one semester of algebra
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at the University of Georgia is a paid five-week summer internship for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. It is organised by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). Over five weeks, you'll participate in research guided by faculty mentors, dedicating 30 hours weekly at UGA’s campuses in Athens, Griffin, or Tifton to work in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. Beyond research, you’ll visit sites and explore career avenues in the agricultural field. Finally, you’ll present your research during the poster session at the Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference.
7. Augusta University’s Summer Research Program (GCC SRE)
Location: Georgia Cancer Center (GCC) at Augusta University, Augusta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: June – July (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years of age can apply for bench research projects (in a laboratory setting). Individuals under the age of 16 are eligible to participate in bioinformatics or community-based research projects.
This six-week program allows you to collaborate with faculty mentors on genuine cancer research at the Georgia Cancer Center. The projects cover fields such as cell and molecular biology, cancer immunology, metabolism, genomics, population science, and cancer prevention. You’ll learn to use laboratory techniques, analyze data, and share your findings. You will attend weekly seminars on research and career options in biomedical sciences. Throughout the process, you’ll work with researchers from several GCC research programs such as Cancer Immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance, Molecular Oncology & Biomarkers, and Cancer Prevention, Control & Population Health.
8. Morehouse AMUB
Location: Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 students
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school students in the state of GA.
The Atlanta Metropolitan Upward Bound (AMUB) program at Morehouse College is a federally funded initiative for high school students from underserved backgrounds in the Atlanta area. The summer session is an intensive six-week residential program offering classes in math, science, literature, and foreign languages. Faculty members and graduate students will guide you in scientific research. Throughout the school year, the program also offers tutoring, mentoring, and support for college applications and financial aid. In addition to research, you’ll participate in workshops on college readiness and career planning, and take part in educational and cultural field trips.
9. Georgia Tech STEP Internship
Location: Georgia Tech main campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students residing in Georgia, at least 16 years old by the program’s start.
The Science, Technology, and Engineering Program (STEP) is a free, two-week program at The Georgia Tech Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. You will collaborate in small teams to develop and prototype solutions for research problems under the guidance of Georgia Tech faculty. The program culminates in the poster session, where you will present your work to professors, parents, and industry representatives.
10. Georgia Ready Summer Institute (GRSI)
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: July 8 – 13
Application Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Rising seniors living in the state of Georgia
The Georgia Ready Summer Institute is a one-week residential research program offered by UGA’s Office of Academic and Community Engagement for high school students interested in exploring the research pipeline. You will begin by learning essential research skills, including identifying a research problem area, collecting data for it, and analyzing it. You can live on campus, network with peers, faculty, and alumni, and develop the leadership skills necessary for your future career.
11. Georgia Institute of Technology - Project ENGAGES (Engaging New Generations at Georgia Tech through Engineering & Science)
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: June 2 – 17
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who attend one of the seven partner Georgia high schools, are at least 16 years old by the program start date
Project ENGAGES at Georgia Tech offers a paid, year-long engineering and science research experience for underrepresented high school students. Initially, you’ll participate in a 4-week boot camp to acquire essential research skills. This will be followed by a full-time summer commitment, working independently on a research project under the guidance of Georgia Tech faculty. After the summer, you will continue with the project with a commitment of 15 hours per week. You will also present the completed project at the Summer Research Symposium.
12. NASA - Office of STEM Engagement Internships
Location: Virtual and in-person at various NASA locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid stipend (amount varies by assignment)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August)
Application Deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years and older with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers paid research internships for high school students interested in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. You will participate in NASA’s ongoing research projects, collaborating with scientists and engineers across various fields, including planetary science, aerospace engineering, and space biology. Through this on-site research opportunity, you’ll have STEM work experience for college applications. The internships may be full-time or part-time. Explore all the internships offered here.
13. UGA’s B.L.A.C.K. Engineering Program
Location: University of Georgia Center, Athens, GA
Cost: $1,255; Full scholarship is available for 25 students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: June 8 – June 13
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students
University of Georgia’s B.L.A.C.K. (Building Leaders through Analysis, Conceptualization, and Knowledge) Engineering Camp is a one-week summer residential program for high school students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. You will analyze data, explore core areas of design through various projects, and develop ethical solutions for complex engineering problems. Additionally, you can strengthen your foundational knowledge in mathematics and science, and learn how to effectively connect these principles with fundamental engineering concepts, techniques, and practices.
14. Summer Science Program
Location: Multiple locations in the country, including Georgia College and State University
Cost: $9,800. Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, 35 students
Dates: Mid-late June
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 15 years old
The Summer Science Program by SSP International is a five-week residential STEM research program for high school students interested in advanced research. You can choose from five tracks: astrophysics, biochemistry, genomics, synthetic chemistry, or cell biology. Guided by scientists and researchers, you’ll conduct independent research in teams of three, along with mentorship from college and graduate students. You will be in the lab with your peers six days a week, spending approximately 60 hours on research each week. The program includes daily classes and guest lectures about career options in STEM. After completion, you’ll join the alumni network and, further, be eligible to participate in SSP Connect, a volunteer mentorship program for alumni in the fall.
15. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Option 1: $600 | Option 2: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: Option 1: June 2 – 20 | Option 2: June 3 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders (10th–12th graders for the research track) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy is a program designed for high school students interested in pursuing biomedical research and careers in health. You can choose between a three-week session with courses in healthcare app development, anatomy, health career exploration, lab techniques, and college preparation, or a six-week authentic research experience. In the research track, you will collaborate with a mentor from Morehouse School of Medicine on a scientific project. Both options offer workshops on health equity, critical thinking, and career planning, along with practical training in scientific tools and laboratory techniques.
16. MIT PRIMES USA
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 47
Application Deadline: November 18
Dates: Runs year-long
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores (or home-schooled students of the same age) residing in the United States outside the Greater Boston area.
PRIMES-USA is a free, year-long research opportunity designed for high school students who are ready to pursue independent mathematical research. The program is run remotely by MIT. After selection, you’ll be matched with a mentor and will work alongside them on an advanced research project. In the spring, you will start with assigned readings, move to thorough research, do independent work over the summer, and finally, culminate in a research paper and presentation in the fall. You’ll work under strict deadlines while managing your workload at your own pace. Weekly, you'll meet with your mentor for updates. As a sophomore, you'll collaborate in small groups, and as a junior, you'll undertake individual projects. Additionally, you can submit your research papers to national science competitions and academic journals.