14 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a high school student looking for something productive during your summer break, consider attending a research program! Offered by many prestigious universities and organizations, research programs give you early exposure to research methodologies and help you build valuable academic and professional networks. These programs provide you with the chance to go beyond classroom learning and immerse yourself in topics of interest.
Why should you participate in a program in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is home to universities, research hospitals, and technology companies that offer research programs in various fields. As a participant, you might collect and interpret data, assist with lab experiments, create computational models, or analyze patterns in social or environmental studies. Whether you’re a local or out-of-state student, you can explore subjects of your interest and build research and analytical skills in the process, which help develop your profile for future opportunities.
In this blog, we’ve curated a list of 14 summer research programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
If you are looking for internships in Massachusetts, check out our blog here.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Non-refundable application fee of $75; None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Less than 2.5%; 100 students
Dates: June 22 – August 2 (tentative)
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+); More info here
RSI integrates advanced coursework in scientific theory with hands-on research experiences in science and technology. Over six weeks, you'll go through the full research process: Reviewing current literature, designing and running experiments, and sharing your findings with written papers and oral presentations. The program opens with a rigorous STEM immersion week taught by MIT faculty, and then transitions into a five-week research internship supported by expert mentors. You will have access to MIT’s extensive research and computing resources, attend evening lectures featuring leading scientists and Nobel laureates, and participate in field trips to research institutions and cultural sites around Boston.
2. Veritas AI: AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have finished the AI Scholars program or have experience with Python or core AI concepts
Veritas AI allows high school students interested in AI to dive deeper into the field and develop their interests. The AI Fellowship program includes collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. To participate, you will be expected to have a basic understanding of Python or have already completed the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. Over 15 weeks, you’ll develop your own research project and can choose to merge AI with any other discipline you’re interested in. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Massachusetts General Hospital: Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: November 1 – January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent high school graduates who live or study in Massachusetts
The Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program commences with a “bootcamp” designed to onboard interns. It will provide training in research and clinical practices, outlining professional expectations, offering interactive skill-building sessions, facilitating networking opportunities, and initiating one-on-one mentoring relationships. You will then be paired with a lab under the guidance of MGH Neurology faculty, contributing to ongoing research projects and gaining hands-on laboratory experience. In addition, you will attend weekly didactic sessions led by leading neurologists and neuroscientists, with occasional field trips and networking events. The program concludes with final presentations, where you will showcase your research to peers, mentors, and the MGH Neurology community.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students who show strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a challenging research program that provides plenty of one-on-one research opportunities for high school students in a wide variety of subjects. The program pairs you 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 biology, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Broad Institute: Broad Summer Scholars Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 24 – January 21
Eligibility: Massachusetts rising high school seniors who go to a high school within commuting distance of the Broad Institute; Need to have earned a B or higher in science and math classes.
The Broad Summer Scholars Program gives you a chance to spend six weeks at the Broad Institute, where you'll dive into original research with guidance from experienced scientists. You'll work on advanced projects in areas like cancer biology, infectious diseases, computational biology, chemical biology, and psychiatry. You'll also attend scientific seminars, get training on creating and presenting posters, and showcase your work at a big community poster session. The program also offers the chance to explore careers, a college fair, social events, and access to academic support like tutoring.
6. Tufts University: Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 1 – August 15
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Eligibility: High school students (16+); Must reside in specific cities or towns in MA (see details in “Eligibility” section)
The TUBERS Program offers the opportunity to engage in advanced biomedical research within the university’s laboratories. Across six weeks, you’ll explore core biomedical topics, analyze cells and tissues, and support the creation of new research approaches. Guided by faculty members and graduate mentors, you will gain practical experience in experimental design, data interpretation, and hypothesis formulation, while delving deeply into a focused area of biomedical engineering. The program also encourages you to share your findings through presentations to peers, faculty, and family members, and to consider submitting your research to regional or national science competitions.
7. Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program
Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 7-11 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (16+)
The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program is a full-time, paid summer research internship for high school students interested in careers in scientific research, particularly in cancer studies. As a participant, you will engage in mentored research projects, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge biomedical research while developing technical and analytical skills. The program includes scientific seminars, journal clubs, and professional development workshops on topics such as research ethics, career exploration, and communication skills. You will also benefit from mentorship by leading scientists, networking opportunities, and social events that foster collaboration and community. The experience culminates in the presentation of research abstracts at a final symposium.
8. Northeastern University: Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 2
Eligibility: Massachusetts rising high school seniors who live within commuting distance of Northeastern University
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University offers you a hands-on introduction to research in the sciences and engineering. You will work in university labs within the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences, while attending seminars led by faculty and graduate students on topics such as biotechnology, robotics, environmental issues, and superconductivity. The program also includes career exploration and counseling sessions, providing insight into engineering education and professional pathways. You'll also participate in field trips to prominent organizations, such as Biogen, Akamai, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, gaining valuable exposure to real-world applications. Additionally, access to campus facilities offers an informative preview of college life.
9. UMass Chan Medical School: High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application Deadline: November 15 – March 2
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
The High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) is a four-week, tuition-free residential program for high school students interested in exploring careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, and health professions. Designed to strengthen academic and communication skills, the program features classes in science, mathematics, English, information technology, and health-related topics. You will also complete internships that provide exposure to physicians and healthcare professionals, with field trips and seminars on cultural and contemporary health issues. By the end of the program, you’ll have completed a research project on health disparities affecting a cultural group in Massachusetts and received a certificate of achievement.
10. Forsyth Institute: Student Scholars Summer Program
Location: Forsyth Institute, Somerville, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Eastern Massachusetts/Boston area high school students currently enrolled in grades 9-11 grade
The Forsyth Student Scholars Program is a summer internship for Massachusetts high school students interested in STEM and dental research. You will work alongside world-renowned Forsyth scientists in cutting-edge laboratories, gaining hands-on experience through independent and mentor-guided research projects. The program emphasizes the development of core scientific skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving in a collaborative environment. You will also attend weekly seminars and lectures led by faculty experts in areas such as oral health research, immunology, and microbiology, and share progress through regular presentations. The internship concludes with a formal poster session where you will present your research findings to the scientific community.
11. MGH Institute of Health Professions: Aspiring Physician and Medical Scientist Summer Program
Location: MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA
Cost: $4,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 25 students
Dates: Session I: July 20 – 31; Session II: August 3 – 14
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students
The MGH IHP Aspiring Physician and Medical Scientist Summer Program is a highly selective opportunity for high school students pursuing an interest in medicine or medical research. Conducted under the guidance of faculty from MGH IHP and Harvard Medical School, it offers hands-on exposure to both clinical practice and research methodologies. With enrollment limited to 25 students, you will benefit from individualized mentorship and meaningful engagement with real-world healthcare settings. Over the course of two weeks, you will take part in interactive sessions on anatomy, physiology, emergency medicine, CPR certification, research techniques, and wilderness medicine. The curriculum further incorporates specialized modules in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, and neurology, concluding with student-led research presentations and discussions with practicing medical professionals.
12. University of Massachusetts Amherst: SC-Research Intensives
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Cost: Base Cost: $6,240 ($1,040/credit); Term Fee: $85; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Research Intensives program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst provides you with the chance to engage in hands-on research within professional laboratory environments. Working under the guidance of faculty members, as well as graduate and undergraduate mentors, you will assist with ongoing research projects and develop essential skills in biochemistry and related scientific disciplines. Throughout the program, you will gain practical experience in research techniques and methodologies. The program will culminate in a formal poster presentation where you will showcase your findings to faculty, peers, and families.
13. Tufts University: Lab Science Investigations
Location: Tufts University, Medford / Somerville, MA
Cost: Commuter: $5,425; Residential: $6,950; Limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: December 1 – May 1
Eligibility: High school students (15+); One year of high school biology is required
The Tufts Lab Science Investigations: Antimicrobial Resistance program offers you a laboratory-based research experience focused on one of today’s most pressing global health challenges—antimicrobial resistance. You will explore how the overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture contributes to this growing crisis. Using a One Health approach that connects human, animal, and environmental health, you will engage in hands-on laboratory work while learning from experts across disciplines such as medicine, engineering, veterinary science, and public health. The program enables you to apply real research methods, analyze experimental data, and gain a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex scientific problems.
14. Boston Leadership Institute: Neurosurgery Research
Location: The Newman School, Boston, MA
Cost: 3-week: $2,500; 3-week residential fee: $2,097; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 15-20 students
Dates: June 22 – July 10
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
In this neuroscience-focused summer program, you will examine the structure and function of the brain through lectures, dissections, and model-based studies. You will gain exposure to neuroimaging techniques, including EEG, fMRI, and PET/SPECT, that allow scientists to observe and interpret brain activity. Hands-on activities include studying neurological disorders like Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis, conducting dissections, modeling cranial nerves, simulating deep brain stimulation, and practicing surgical techniques such as laparoscopic procedures and suturing. Field trips in previous years have included visits to the Russell Museum at Massachusetts General Hospital and the STRATUS Center for Medical Simulation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, offering you a closer look at the history and application of neuroscience in clinical settings.
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