15 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in NYC
If you are a high school student, then research programs are a great option to explore over the summer. Research programs are a great way to explore a discipline or topic in detail and gain experience in data collection, experiment design, analysis, and scientific writing. These programs allow you to engage in structured research projects, develop technical and analytical skills, and learn how to present findings in professional formats.
NYC is home to top universities, hospitals, and research centers offering research programs. Participating in these programs can help you explore various fields, including science, medicine, technology, and the social sciences, while connecting with experienced mentors. The programs also provide experience in teamwork, critical thinking, and time management, which are essential skills for college and beyond.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 15 summer research programs for high school students in NYC.
1. Summer Science Research Program @ Rockefeller University
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; need-based financial assistance offered
Cohort size: 32
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
This is a seven-week, full-time research program where you will join a mentored team that reflects the workings of a real lab group. As a participant, you will explore core research techniques, design a research question, collect and analyze data, and present your findings in a final symposium. The program offers opportunities to network with and learn from researchers from the Tri-Institutions (Rockefeller, MSK, WCMC). You will also engage in elective courses and scientific workshops. This is an opportunity to gain lab-based experience and mentorship in a collaborative research environment.
The STEM Research Academy at CCNY provides a structured pathway into scientific research to motivated high school students. You will begin with a spring science course, earning high school elective credit while developing essential skills in scientific thinking and experimentation. On completing the spring course, you may get the chance to secure a five-week summer internship, where you will be matched with a CUNY or CCNY faculty mentor to conduct original research. During the summer, you will work in labs four to five days a week, attend seminars, and complete a final project. The program culminates in a poster presentation at CCNY and the American Museum of Natural History, with eligible students receiving a stipend.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohorts
Dates: Summer cohorts run June – August (other cohorts available year-round)
Application deadline: May/June for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship requires prior completion of AI Scholars or equivalent coding/AI experience
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers project-based research opportunities in artificial intelligence and data science. In the AI Scholars program, you will take part in a 10-session boot camp learning about fundamental concepts in machine learning and AI, while also completing hands-on projects. For a more advanced learning experience, the AI Fellowship provides one-on-one mentorship with researchers from top universities, guiding you through the design and execution of an independent AI research project. A unique feature of the fellowship is access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication team, which offers support to help you submit your work to high school research journals.
3. ARISE: Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering @ NYU
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a free 10-week summer research program that immerses you in STEM fields through training and hands-on projects in NYU labs. The first four weeks focus on lab safety, college writing, and research skills. In the remaining six weeks, you will work in one of over 80 NYU research labs, contributing to research in STEM fields, with options ranging from molecular biology to artificial intelligence. You will gain approximately 120 hours of lab experience, attend seminars, and participate in mentorship sessions during the program. ARISE concludes with a research presentation at the American Museum of Natural History. The program also provides college application support and access to a large alumni research network.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer cohorts run June – August (other cohorts available year-round)
Application deadline: May/June for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance (preferably with a minimum unweighted GPA of ~3.3); no prior knowledge in the chosen track required
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective virtual research experience that pairs you one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford. Over the course of 12 weeks, you will design and complete an independent research project in a field of your choice, from psychology and international relations to physics, computer science, or economics. You will gain experience in research design, academic writing, data analysis, and the production of an independent research paper. This program is designed to provide you with the skills and mentorship needed to explore academic research at a professional level.
5. CCNY STEM Research Academy
Location: City College of New York (CCNY), NYC, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $1,575 offered to summer interns
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25 students in spring; ~10 summer interns
Dates: Spring course: February 11 – May 22; Summer internship: June 30 – August 7
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th- and 11th-graders with a minimum GPA of 80 and qualifying Regents exam scores
6. BEYOND ALBERT Research Program
Location: Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective /
Dates: Summer session: June 30 - August 22; 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 two-part research and education program that introduces you to cancer biology and biomedical science through immersive lab experiences. During the program, you will spend eight weeks working full-time in research labs at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, gaining hands-on skills in biomedical techniques while attending seminars and workshops led by faculty and postdoctoral researchers. The program continues into the school year with an after-school series that features scientific talks, career development sessions, and additional mentorship. You will receive benefits like a stipend, daily meal vouchers, and MetroCards, along with the opportunity to present your research findings to the college’s faculty.
7. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: Genspace Community Biology Lab, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, ~12 students per cohort
Dates: Spring session: February 27 – May 22 (afternoons); Summer session: June 30 – August 15
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students ages 16+; must live or attend school within ~45 minutes of Genspace
The Biorocket Research Internship is a six-month program that introduces you to genetic engineering, biotechnology, and science communication through hands-on lab experience. You will start with a spring orientation and training phase, then join a team of peers and mentors to design a summer research project in biology. Program activities include behind-the-scenes tours of research labs and biotech companies, improv-based communication workshops, and career guidance sessions with scientists. As a participant, you will gain experience in lab work and presenting scientific work to diverse audiences. Along with a stipend for completing the program, you will gain access to mentorship and a citywide network of teen researchers.
8. Baruch College Now STEM Research Academy
Location: Baruch College, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $1,575 offered to summer interns
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25 students in spring; ~10 summer interns
Dates: Spring course: Late January – mid-May; Summer research: Mid-July – mid-August
Application deadline: Applications are available from October to December
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th and 11th graders with an overall 80+ GPA; preference for juniors and underrepresented students in science
The Baruch College Now STEM Research Academy combines a spring research prep course with a hands-on summer research internship. In the spring, you will take a 60-hour course on scientific literacy, experimental design, and research methods, earning one college credit upon completion. If you meet performance requirements, you will be matched with CUNY faculty for a six-week summer internship, where you conduct authentic research in disciplines such as biology, environmental science, or psychology. The program offers mentorship and college and career workshops, and culminates in presentations at the CUNY STEM Research Exhibition and the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium Summer Symposium.
9. BioBus Junior Scientist Internships
Location: Harlem (open to NYC students city-wide) and Lower East Side (for LES/Chinatown students only), NYC
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohort of interns each year
Dates: Summer session: July 7 – August 15; School year session: October – June (weekly sessions)
Application deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school students in NYC; the Lower East Side program is limited to LES/Chinatown students.
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship offers you the opportunity to gain both research and teaching experience under the mentorship of professional scientists. As a Junior Scientist, you will design and work on your own independent research project, while also co-teaching science programs for younger students on the BioBus mobile labs. Training will cover lab techniques, science communication, and professional development, providing a mix of insights into research and outreach. The program runs both as a summer internship and a school-year commitment, allowing you to deepen your engagement in science in multiple settings.
10. BRAINYAC: Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer, June – August; full-time lab immersion
Application deadline: Not specified; application window opens in October
Eligibility: NYC residents in grades 10 and 11 enrolled in partner programs (S-PREP, BioBus, Lang Youth Medical, Columbia Secondary School, or Double Discovery Center); preference for students in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx
BRAINYAC offers high school students neuroscience research apprenticeships in Columbia University laboratories. You will work one-on-one with a Columbia neuroscientist mentor on original lab projects and gain experience in techniques, scientific inquiry, and professional research culture. Beyond lab work, you will attend seminars and workshops to deepen your understanding of neuroscience research. The program emphasizes both technical skill development and long-term mentorship, helping you plan for careers in science. This program is open only to applicants from select NYC-based partner programs.
11. Environmental Enrichment and Leadership for Students (EELS)
Location: Bronx River Alliance, Bronx, NY
Stipend: Up to $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohort
Dates: July – August (initial summer session), followed by a 12–14-month research and mentorship program
Application deadline: Opens in January
Eligibility: NYC public high school juniors and seniors with at least an 80 average in math, science, and English
The EELS Internship is a long-term environmental science program that begins with a six-week summer fieldwork session on the Bronx River and an environmental science class at Lehman College. During the school year, you will work with Bronx River Alliance staff and a dedicated mentor to conduct advanced fieldwork and design your own research project. The program continues into the following summer, offering a chance to complete an independent project and culminating in community presentations and leadership opportunities. You can earn up to $4,000 in stipends, five transferable college credits, and community service hours, while building strong connections with professionals in ecology, environmental science, and conservation.
12. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity Environmentor Program
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY (~1 hour away from NYC)
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohort with priority to Shore Corps participants
Dates: June – mid-August
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in grades 9–11; preference for those attending schools in or near the Rockaway peninsula
RISE Environmentor is an environmental research mentorship program where you will conduct independent projects on the Jamaica Bay and Rockaway shoreline. Guided by scientists from local universities and research institutions, you will explore field and lab research techniques while investigating real ecological issues such as salt marsh species interactions, air quality, or flooding. The program also offers outdoor skills training, like CPR, water safety, kayaking, and biking, alongside opportunities to participate in community service events. You can earn up to a $1,200 stipend, community service hours, and the chance to present your research at consortium events.
13. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Multiple U.S. universities and labs, including in NYC
Stipend: Educational stipend available; exact details not specified
Dates: 6 to 10 weeks in the May–August period; dates vary based on the opportunity
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements may vary for each internship opportunity
AEOP’s Internships are Army-sponsored research-based opportunities for high schoolers interested in STEM fields. If selected, you will work on research under the guidance and supervision of a university researcher or a Department of Defence scientist. You may engage in tasks like experimentation, data collection, analysis, and comparison of data sets. The exact responsibilities can vary from one opportunity to another. During the program, you will also participate in workshops, online tutorials, webinars, and access learning materials to develop professional skills and become better equipped for future STEM academic pursuits.
14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for NYC students
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including chemistry, statistics, computer science, neuroscience, engineering, medicine, and physics. You can choose a mentor offering a remote research format to engage in research within your chosen track while also refining your scientific writing and communication skills over remote sessions. During the program, you will learn about STEM career paths through discussions led by professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with a research symposium, where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS): Virtual Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Five weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in North America
JHIBS offers a five-week research-focused summer internship to students in North America interested in neuroscience and research. Here, you will attend online sessions offered by researchers and scientists, learn about the scientific method and biomedical research, and participate in experiments. You will learn and apply laboratory techniques, participate in scientific presentations, and connect with professionals and peers. The program also offers access to professional development workshops and college prep classes to help you explore educational and career paths in the medical field.