Top 15 Research Mentorship Programs for High School Students that offer Financial Aid
Summer research and mentorship programs are a fantastic way for high school students to gain hands-on experience. Top universities and research institutions often host these programs and offer real-world skills, guidance from mentors, and valuable exposure to exciting fields. You’ll also connect with like-minded peers and experts who can help shape your academic future.
Doing research early builds problem-solving skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the subject. For students passionate about a particular field, it’s a significant next step. We’ve rounded up the top 15 research mentorship programs that offer financial aid to help you get started!
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Minimum $500 stipend + $40 application fee (can be waived)
Cohort Size: 50
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SIMR invites high school juniors and seniors to participate in an eight-week summer research program at Stanford University. The program engages in cutting-edge biomedical research, with opportunities to explore AI applications within bioinformatics and bioengineering. Under expert mentorship, you will conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to ongoing scientific inquiries.
The program includes lectures and workshops to enhance your understanding of medical research methodologies. You’ll present your findings at a concluding symposium, gaining experience in scientific communication. Participants will also receive a stipend for their participation.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, a program created by Harvard graduate students, offers unique opportunities for high schoolers who are eager to dive into artificial intelligence. For beginners interested in AI, machine learning, or data science, the AI Scholars program is a great place to start. This 10-session boot camp introduces students to core concepts in AI and data science while allowing them to work on real-world, hands-on projects.
For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is an ideal next step. Participants collaborate one-on-one with expert mentors from leading universities to develop an individual research project. A significant advantage of this program is the access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication support team, which assists students in publishing their work in high school research journals. Examples of previous projects can be viewed here.
3. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 100
Application Deadline: December 11
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors
At MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI), you will be engaged in an immersive six-week experience exploring advanced STEM research. The program will begin with a week of intensive lectures led by renowned professors, after which you will be matched with a mentor and embedded in a lab for five weeks of guided research. You will read current scientific literature, design and conduct your own research, and develop both oral and written reports in a professional format.
During the summer, you will attend evening seminars with leading scientists, gaining exposure to cutting-edge work and honing your academic presentation skills. RSI is fully funded and highly selective, welcoming 100 students worldwide.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starts at $2,990 (full financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic experience designed specifically for high school students. It provides personalized, one-on-one research opportunities in a wide array of academic disciplines that students can explore at the high school level.
Participants are matched with Ph.D. mentors and work closely with them to complete an individual research project. Throughout the 12-week program, students produce a full-length research paper based on their chosen topic. Available research areas include psychology, physics, economics, computer science, data science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. For additional information on how to apply, you can visit the application page here.
5. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD / Virtual
Stipend: $15/hour; virtual interns receive a $500 stipend
Cohort Size: 5–6 students per cohort
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates:
In-person: June – August (8 weeks)
Virtual: July – August (5 weeks)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors living in Baltimore City
As part of JHIBS, you will explore the brain from both lab benches and clinical floors at Johns Hopkins. This eight-week summer internship will place you under the guidance of neuroscientists, clinicians, and faculty mentors. You will attend educational sessions, join scientific seminars, and work on your research project.
You will also have rotated through clinical settings to understand neurological disorders and patient care. By the end, you will formally present your findings, gaining critical scientific communication experience. You will also receive a stipend and transportation support, making this hands-on internship both accessible and rewarding.
6. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)
Location: Greater Seattle area or Virtual
Stipend: Paid opportunities are available
Application Deadline: April 21
Dates: Typically June–August; around 6–8 weeks.
Eligibility: High school students based in the Greater Seattle area who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and can commit to 40 hours/week.
As a SPARK Summer Mentorship Program mentee, you will engage in hands-on learning guided by experienced mentors from academia, industry, and the community. Over the summer, you will be matched with a mentor based on your interests and career goals, and you’ll be developing a self-directed project with their support. You are expected to take initiative by reaching out, arranging meetings, and providing weekly updates.
Many past participants have co-authored research papers or continued their work long after the program ended. You will also participate in group events and networking opportunities that deepen your understanding of professional fields. If selected, you’ll join a program that has helped shape future researchers, developers, and innovators for over a decade.
7. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free; a stipend is provided
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Students in their junior year of high school at the time of applying; at least 16 years of age by the start of the program
Throughout the Simons Summer Research Program, you will be immersed in scientific inquiry while working closely with a Stony Brook faculty mentor. You will join a lab team and contribute meaningfully to an assigned project, learning lab techniques and problem-solving in real-time. To see the available mentors and research areas, click here.
Weekly talks from leading researchers and group activities will enrich your experience. At the end of the eight weeks, you will submit a research abstract and present a poster at the final symposium. A stipend will be awarded to all student participants.
8. University of Illinois Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Stipend: Students receive a fellowship payment
Cohort Size: ~30 lab spots
Application Deadline: March 30
Dates: June 20 - August 1 (Excluding orientation dates)
Eligibility: Rising 10th - 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
During the Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program, you will engage in a comprehensive research experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Over six weeks, you will work on projects in neuroscience, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence, guided by faculty and graduate mentors.
The program includes weekly seminars on college readiness and scientific communication, aiming to support students from diverse backgrounds in STEMM. You will be dedicating 30–35 hours per week to research activities. The experience will culminate in a research symposium where you will present your findings. Housing, meals, and a fellowship award will be provided.
9. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: Virtual or in person at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) in Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: 10-16
Application Deadline: May 10
Dates: September – May
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 attending Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
In SRMP, you will collaborate with Harvard-Smithsonian astrophysicists to conduct original research over the school year. You will be matched with a mentor and work in a small team to carry out a focused investigation in astrophysics. You will gain exposure to research methods, scientific writing, and public speaking through weekly and monthly meetings.
The program will equip you with academic skills while introducing you to the daily practices of professional scientists. At the program's end, you will share your findings at a symposium attended by researchers and peers alike.
10. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 24
Dates: 5-6 weeks during the Summer
Eligibility: Students who are sixteen years or older by June 15
You will participate in a research team as part of Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program, dedicating 5 to 6 weeks to a science or engineering project. The program is exclusively for local high school students, and you will have to provide your own transportation to the campus.
You will be assigned to a lab with a faculty mentor, participating in experiments, data collection, and analysis during weekdays. Each experience will be tailored to the lab’s timeline and project demands. This opportunity allows you to gain hands-on research experience while learning about lab culture and professional scientific workflows.
11. The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/ Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Cohort Size: 12
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: 17 years of age by the program start date
Throughout your seven-week experience in the Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University, you will participate in advanced, faculty-led research across various academic disciplines. You will collaborate with students from around the world and immerse yourself in diverse projects in science, technology, humanities, and the arts.
Through weekly seminars and field trips, you will deepen your understanding of research and broaden your academic perspective. The program will provide the tools and mentorship necessary to make a comprehensive contribution to an active research project under the guidance of experienced university faculty. Click here to learn more about the research areas available.
12. RISE Internship / Practicum
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost:
Tuition: $5,700
Service Fees: $485
Room & Board: $3,276 (14 meals/week) or $3,600 (19 meals/week)
Application Fee: $60 (nonrefundable)
Limited need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 130
Application Deadline: February 14
Dates: June 29 - August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
At Boston University, you will be part of a small group of students in RISE, a six-week program tailored for aspiring scientists. If chosen, you will be able to carry out laboratory or computational research under the guidance of faculty or experienced researchers. Internship students will immerse themselves in full-time research across multiple disciplines. In contrast, Practicum students will participate in daily lectures and team-based experiments in data science or computational neurobiology.
You will also benefit from weekly academic workshops and opportunities to connect with biotech professionals. At the end of the summer, you will be presenting your work at the program-wide Poster Symposium.
13. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 18
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in the upcoming school year
NYU’s ARISE Program offers a unique 10-week summer experience combining research training and hands-on lab work. The first four weeks focus on essential skills like safety, college writing, and research methods.
In the final six weeks, you’ll join an NYU research lab, gaining around 120 hours of real-world experience in areas like computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. You'll develop public speaking, critical thinking, and professional networking skills. The program concludes with a research presentation at NYU and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
14. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: Bar Harbor, ME and Farmington, CT
Stipend: $6,500 + room, board, and travel
Cohort Size: 40
Application Deadline: January 27
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grade 12 and are at least 18 years old
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program is a research-intensive opportunity for high school and undergraduate students. You’ll spend the summer developing a project guided by leading scientists in fields like genomics, cancer biology, or developmental genetics. With roughly 40 students selected annually, you’ll join a collaborative cohort working in state-of-the-art labs in Maine or Connecticut.
Students will analyze data, conduct lab work, and present their results at a culminating symposium. Whether your interests lie in computational biology or immunology, this program offers the chance to pursue meaningful research while learning critical scientific communication skills.
15. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12; students of all genders are welcome to apply, with a focus on those from underrepresented backgrounds in physics.
SPINWIP is a three-week online summer program hosted by Stanford University to encourage high school girls to explore physics. You will learn Python and apply it to topics such as quantum computing and astrophysics through engaging lectures and team projects.
The program features mentorship from Stanford undergraduates and faculty and workshops focused on college preparation and career pathways in STEM. Sessions are interactive and require no previous experience in physics or programming. Participation is free and fully virtual.
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