11 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in New York State

If you’re a high school student interested in exploring academic research, summer programs can be a meaningful way to learn beyond the classroom. These experiences help you understand how research questions are structured, how data is collected and interpreted, and how findings are communicated to wider audiences. Many programs also emphasize mentorship and collaboration, which allow you to work with experts, strengthen analytical thinking, and develop skills that support your growth in college and future careers.

Why should you attend a program in New York State?

New York State is home to a range of universities, research hospitals, and scientific institutions that offer research opportunities to high school students. Depending on the program, you might conduct lab experiments, analyze data sets, or contribute to research projects in subjects like biology, engineering, or computer science. These programs can be a good fit for students who live or attend school in New York, as well as out-of-state students interested in studying or conducting research in a major academic hub. 

To help you navigate the many available choices, we’ve highlighted 11 summer research programs for high school students in New York State.

If you're looking for STEM programs in New York State, check our blog here.

1. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn

Cost: No cost; $1,000 stipend provided

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: June 1 – August 14

Application deadline: To be announced

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

NYU’s ARISE program is a 10-week summer research program for high school students in New York that provides an introduction to academic research across STEM fields such as chemistry, engineering, machine learning, psychology, and environmental science. The program begins with four weeks of online instruction focused on lab safety, research ethics, scientific writing, and college preparation; skills that are essential for working in real research environments. You transition into a six-week in-person placement in an NYU research lab, contributing roughly 120 hours to an active project while working closely with faculty and graduate student mentors. Alongside lab work, the program includes workshops that focus on communication and presentation skills. The program concludes with formal research presentations at NYU and a poster symposium hosted at the American Museum of Natural History.

2. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid available

Dates: Multiple 10- to 15-week cohorts in a year, including winter, fall, spring, and summer

Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.

Eligibility: High school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have been AI Scholars participants or have some familiarity 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. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Stipend: $1,200

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2% acceptance rate with 20 interns selected per summer

Dates: June 29 – August 21

Application deadline: February 6

Eligibility: High school juniors who are 14 years or older by June, have a 3.5 grade point average in science subjects, are legally authorized to work in the U.S., and live within 25 miles of the main campus 

The HOPP Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is an eight-week research internship centered on biomedical and computational cancer research. You are matched with a mentor, such as a postdoctoral fellow or research technician, and work on a self-directed project aligned with an active lab’s goals. You'll build practical skills through hands-on work that may include data analysis, laboratory techniques, and participation in lab meetings. Beyond research, you attend journal clubs, lab tours, and sessions that introduce translational medicine and clinical research pathways. You'll also have opportunities to interact with principal investigators and staff across departments, gaining insights into the workings of large research institutions. The summer research program culminates in a formal poster presentation where you share your findings with the MSK research community.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies based on the program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 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: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research mentorship experience that pairs high school students with a Ph.D. mentor in their chosen academic field. Over the course of the program, you develop your independent research question and work through the full research process, from literature review to data analysis and conclusion. Fields of study range from psychology, economics, computer science, to engineering, data science, and international relations, allowing you to pursue topics that genuinely interest you. Because the program is fully personalized, you receive sustained feedback and close guidance as you refine your methods and arguments. By the end of the program, you will have produced a complete research paper that reflects your work and findings. The program offers flexible options from 12 weeks to 1 year. 

5. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)

Location: Columbia University

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Winter/Spring training + 7–10 weeks summer research

Application deadline: October 31

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in New York City and enrolled in a partner school (preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx)

The BRAINYAC program places you in a Columbia University neuroscience laboratory, where you work directly with a scientist on an ongoing research project. Over the summer, you take part in experiments, data analysis, and discussions that show how questions in brain science are investigated. The summer research program is focused on active participation rather than observation, allowing you to develop practical lab skills and become familiar with the tools and methods used in neuroscience research. Alongside lab work, you'll attend group workshops focused on scientific writing, experimental design, and research ethics; skills that are essential for any future research path. You also connect with other students interested in neuroscience through cohort sessions. 

6. Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Cost: No cost; stipend offered at completion

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective 

Dates: June 29 – August 7

Application deadline: February 5

Eligibility: Current high school juniors; U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents; At least 16 years by the start of the program 

The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University allows you to join a research lab and work under the guidance of a faculty mentor in science, mathematics, or engineering. You are assigned a specific project and become part of an active research group, contributing to ongoing investigations. Throughout the program, you attend weekly faculty lectures and workshops that introduce research methods and scientific communication. The experience promotes learning through hands-on experience,  whether it be experimentation, mathematical modeling, or computational analysis. You conclude the summer research program by submitting a research abstract and presenting a poster at the closing symposium. 

7. Science Enrichment Program (SEP) – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY

Stipend: $4,200 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective 

Dates: November 15 – August 26 (research component in the summer)

Application deadline: September 1

Eligibility: High school juniors who have completed a full year of biology courses and are members of groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science 

The Science Enrichment Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering is a nearly yearlong research experience that blends academic learning with hands-on scientific work. The program begins during the school year, with after-school coursework from November through June that introduces you to cancer biology, laboratory methods, and professional skills,  preparing you for independent research. In the summer, you transition into an eight-week research internship where you work one-on-one with a mentor on a biomedical or computational project connected to active MSK research. Depending on your placement, you may focus on areas including genomics, immunology, or pharmacology. Your work contributes to a defined research question rather than simulated exercises, giving you experience with authentic scientific investigation. The program includes formal assessments and concludes with a poster presentation of your findings. 

8. The Rockefeller University Hospital – Summer Science Research Program

Location: The Rockefeller University, NY

Cost: No cost 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students  

Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application deadline: January 2

Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are age 16+ at program start

The Summer Science Research Program at Rockefeller University places you into a small research team for seven weeks of hands-on laboratory work. After an initial training period focused on lab safety and techniques, you collaborate with PhD-level scientists and trainees on a shared research question in fields such as genetics, neuroscience, immunology, or stem cell biology. You'll work as part of a real research team, taking on defined roles, contributing to shared data analysis, and participating in regular discussions about results and next steps. Beyond lab work, the program includes electives, workshops, and guest lectures that introduce you to a range of biomedical research careers. The summer research program concludes with a formal poster symposium where teams present their work.

9. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics – Summer Internship

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NY

Stipend: No cost; stipend paid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: 6 or 10-week program from June 1 to August 7

Application deadline: January 5

Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students

The Summer Internship at Weill Cornell’s Department of Pediatrics places you within a specific pediatric division aligned with your interests, such as clinical research, health policy, or patient education. You work under the guidance of faculty and staff mentors who oversee your tasks and provide consistent support throughout the experience. Depending on your placement, your responsibilities may include reviewing scientific literature, collecting and organizing data, assisting with research projects,  or observing clinical workflows during patient rounds. Through this hands-on exposure, you'll see how pediatric research, advocacy, and clinical care come together to improve child health. 

10. CUNY STEM Research Academy 

Location: Spring semester pre-college course is offered at 10 CUNY campuses across four boroughs

Cost/Stipend: Free | $1,575 stipend 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically 25 students for the spring course, 10 for the summer internship

Dates: Spring Semester: February 10 – May 23 | Summer Research: July 6 – August 6

Application deadline: January 16 

Eligibility: New York City Public School (NYCPS) students in grades 10-11. Highly motivated 9th-grade NYCPS students are considered on an individual basis

The CUNY (City University of New York) STEM Research Academy is a two-semester program for New York City public high school students that combines classroom coursework with hands-on research. In the spring, you begin a pre-college research course through CUNY’s College Now program, where you learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and approach scientific questions. Students who complete the spring course move into a six-week summer research placement in a CUNY lab and work alongside faculty on ongoing projects in fields such as biology, chemistry, or physics. This summer research program concludes with a formal research presentation at the American Museum of Natural History.

11. American Chemical Society Project SEED Program

Location: Varies based on lab choice, check here 

Cost: Free; a stipend of $4,000 is awarded 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 350 students participate in the program each year 

Dates: 8-10 weeks, June–August

Application deadline: April 14

Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, with one completed high school chemistry course (preference is given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size)

ACS Project SEED is a paid summer research experience lasting eight to ten weeks that places high school students in chemistry laboratories alongside professional scientists. The program focuses on supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Depending on your lab assignment, you may contribute to research in areas such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, or drug development. Your schedule combines hands-on experimental work with enrichment sessions that cover lab safety, scientific writing, and career options in chemistry. By the end of the program, you will have prepared a written research summary that documents your work and results, giving you experience with formal scientific reporting.

Image source - Lumiere Education Logo