13 Winter Research Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in research, winter break is a good time to participate in programs that offer experience, skills development, and industry exposure. Winter research programs provide a way to build your academic profile, explore career paths, and connect with mentors. Whether you're interested in STEM, social sciences, AI, or the humanities, winter research programs offer new knowledge and networks. Many of these programs are offered by universities and established organizations, making them solid options for you to make the most of your winter break.
To help you navigate the many opportunities, we have compiled a list of 13 winter research programs for high school students.
1. Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Cambridge, MA, and virtual
Stipend: Stipend provided courtesy of the City of Cambridge
Cohort size: 10-16 students annually
Dates: September–May
Application Deadline: Summer
Eligibility: Exclusively for students enrolled at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) allows high school students from CRLS to engage in a year-long independent astrophysics research project with mentorship from professional astrophysicists at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. You will meet weekly in teams of 2-3 and receive experience conducting scientific research. Mentorship may be in-person or virtual, supported by monthly advisory sessions with the program team. This experience culminates in a symposium where you will present your work, helping you develop scientific communication skills. The program provides a stipend to support participation and emphasises close collaboration with scientists from diverse backgrounds.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Acceptance Rate: Moderately Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions year-round
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: Grades 8–12; no prior experience needed for AI Scholars track; Python knowledge or prior Scholars completion required for Fellowship
Veritas AI offers two core programs: the AI Scholars and the AI Fellowship. The AI scholars program introduces you to Python programming and fundamental AI/ML concepts through ten live coding sessions designed for beginners. The Fellowship lasts 12–15 weeks and pairs you with Ph.D.-level mentors to develop advanced AI projects in domains such as finance, medicine, and sports analytics. You will apply machine learning techniques and research methodologies to create a final project suitable for publication or presentation. The program emphasises mentorship, technical skill-building, and real-world AI applications.
3. Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
Location: Virtual and in person, Oregon and the Portland metro area
Cost: Free; limited need-based scholarships available for summer internships
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: January 22–May 28 (didactic course); June–August (optional summer internship)
Application Deadline: December 8
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school residing in Oregon or the Portland metro area; minimum age 16 for summer internships
PSI introduces high school students to biomedical research through a semester-long virtual course featuring weekly two-hour lectures and mentorship from OHSU and Portland-area researchers. You will learn scientific methods, participate in journal clubs, and develop your research proposal. The program culminates with an optional rigorous summer internship involving hands-on research at OHSU, requiring a minimum of 250 hours. Internships are primarily in-person with limited virtual options, and you will present your work at a poster symposium in August.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive, with a low cohort size
Dates: Summer: June–August; Fall: September–December; Winter: December–February; Spring: March–June
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school; demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program enables high school students to conduct advanced research remotely under the mentorship of Ph.D.-level researchers. You will collaborate one-on-one with a mentor to design and carry out an independent research project in disciplines such as economics, psychology, biology, political science, or engineering. The program features weekly mentorship sessions that emphasise academic rigour and professional standards. You’ll receive guided support to formulate a research question, perform literature reviews, analyse data, and write a polished research paper. Depending on your track, there may be opportunities to publish or present your work.
5. Molecular Medicine Workshops
Location: Online and UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, University College London, and Alameda, CA
Cost: Varies by workshop and location
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; cohort size varies by session
Dates: Winter Break: December 26–30 (online workshops). Residential workshop dates will be declared soon.
Application Deadline: Late summer
Eligibility: High-achieving middle and high school students interested in medicine and biomedical fields
Molecular Medicine Workshops provide a range of online and residential programs designed to immerse students in molecular and cellular biology, with a focus on disease mechanisms, drug development, and personalised medicine. Led by Ph.D.-level instructors, you will engage in lectures, labs, and original research projects centred on gene or molecular processes. Residential camps offer a college experience with dorm living and mentorship from teaching assistants and advisors. Workshop topics include molecular neuroscience, cancer biology, immunology, and several specialised bioinformatics tracks. Online workshops cover foundational and applied topics such as cellular medicine, medicinal chemistry, and medical bioinformatics. Winter sessions focus on bioinformatics and medicinal chemistry, requiring an application but not letters of recommendation.
6. Research Opportunities at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute
Location: Cleveland, OH
Stipend: Unpaid; varies by lab
Acceptance Rate: Varies
Dates: Varies year-round depending on lab openings
Application Deadline: Rolling, based on lab availability
Eligibility: High school students age 16 and older; must independently contact labs for placement
High school students interested in biomedical research can pursue hands-on laboratory experience at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute by directly contacting faculty principal investigators. You explore labs of interest using institute resources and introduce yourself via email, describing your interests, relevant coursework, and availability. Placement depends on the capacity of individual labs, which varies throughout the year. This program requires proactive outreach and persistence, as lab spots are limited and not all labs can accommodate high school students.
7. Burke Neurological Institute Introduction to Neuroscience
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $500 tuition; scholarships available for tuition waivers
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited enrollment; competitive
Dates: Winter Session: February 4–March 27; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15 pm–7:45 pm
Application Deadline: Varies; registration opens before each session
Eligibility: Successful completion of NYS Regents Living Environment or equivalent biology course
This online course offers high school students a foundational understanding of the mammalian nervous system with emphasis on movement control, sensory processing, learning, and memory. Taught via twice-weekly webinars, you will explore neuroanatomy, neurogenesis, synapses, neurodegenerative diseases, and neurorehabilitation. The course is designed to prepare you for college-level neuroscience and research opportunities at institutions like the Burke Neurological Institute. Scholarships are available to support students demonstrating financial need. Coursework involves lectures, discussions, and insights into brain repair and neurological disorders.
8. Research Internships and Observation for High School Students
Location: Hershey, PA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; varies by lab
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by lab availability
Dates: Flexible; depends on lab schedule and student availability
Application Deadline: Rolling, based on supervisor and lab capacity
Eligibility: High school students living in the U.S., must secure faculty sponsorship and complete required safety training
This program allows high school students to engage in short-term research shadowing or extended internships within Penn State College of Medicine laboratories. You must identify and be sponsored by a faculty member who will oversee your research experience and ensure adherence to safety and legal requirements, including background clearances and child abuse reporting training. You will receive training in lab safety and must follow strict protocols, especially regarding hazardous materials. This opportunity provides direct exposure to biomedical research environments, fostering scientific curiosity and skills. Applications require thorough documentation and faculty approval before starting.
9. Ocean Literacy, Climate, and Conservation Leadership
Location: Hybrid; live online via Zoom and in-person at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohort size varies; competitive
Dates: Cohort 1: February 10–March 22, Cohort 2: March 24–May 3
Application Deadline: Summer
Eligibility: 9th–11th-grade students local to San Diego
This interdisciplinary hybrid course explores ocean literacy and its critical role in climate systems, human health, and environmental conservation. You will engage in four immersive in-person Saturday workshops at Scripps, complemented by live online sessions. The curriculum includes hands-on experience with oceanographic tools like ArcGIS for spatial data analysis, scientific diving equipment, and remote sensing technologies. The program develops your understanding of marine ecosystem health and fosters leadership skills for conservation efforts. Completion of this course qualifies you to apply for the competitive Conservation Leadership Dive Program focused on field research.
10. Fox Chase Cancer Center Immersion Science Program (ISP)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 16 seats per winter session (8 per section)
Dates: Winter session runs ~11 weeks, early January to mid-March
Application Deadline: mid-October - early November
Eligibility: High school students (16+ years old) in the Philadelphia-Tri-State area; completion of biology and chemistry required; parental consent required
The Immersion Science Program (ISP) provides high school students in the Philadelphia-Tri-State area with a hands-on, 11-week biomedical research experience focused on cancer biology. You will work in small cohorts, meeting weekly on Saturdays, and be mentored by researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Centre. The program values creativity, collaboration, and community, using a blind NIH-style application review process. Participation requires full attendance and culminates in a student presentation day. ISP requires two recommendation letters and includes mandatory safety and onboarding procedures. A waitlist is available due to limited seats. ISP supports students with transportation information but does not provide transport.
11. One-on-One Bioinformatics Research Mentorship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,900 (Bioinformatics Research); $2,900 (Science Fair Project Collaboration)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Individual mentorships; limited availability
Dates: Flexible scheduling with mentor; 10 sessions for Bioinformatics Research; 6 sessions for Science Fair Project
Application Deadline: Rolling admission; scheduled with mentor
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and college students; no prior experience required
This personalised mentorship program pairs you with Dr. Jedy, a Ph.D.-level biochemistry and molecular biology expert, to conduct customised research in bioinformatics focusing on AI and machine learning applications in human disease, microbiology, or plant biology. Over 10 virtual sessions, you will learn research methodologies, analyse data using no-code bioinformatics tools (e.g., GEO2R, DAVID), write a research paper, and prepare a scientific poster for presentation. The mentorship culminates in a published, indexed report and a certificate of completion. Alternatively, you can collaborate with Dr. Jedy on a science fair or conference project through a 6-session course designed to prepare your work for presentation with expert guidance. Both experiences emphasise skill development, critical thinking, and scientific communication in an inclusive and supportive environment.
12. Exploring Topics in Neuroscience + Research Methodologies
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $3,300; Early Bird Discount: $3,100 if registered by October 3
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small cohort; limited spots
Dates: Sundays, October 19–December 14. Winter session dates will be released later on
Application Deadline: Early Bird deadline October 3 (regular registration closes before start)
Eligibility: Rising 9th-grade through high school students; no prior experience required
This virtual camp introduces students to fundamental concepts in neuroscience and research methodologies over eight weekly sessions. Under the guidance of mentor Shvetali T, you will explore neuroanatomy, neuronal communication, including action potentials and synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters, neuropharmacology, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The camp emphasises skill-building through research projects, resulting in a published report and poster presentation. It is designed for beginners and aims to develop foundational neuroscience knowledge alongside critical research skills in a collaborative cohort environment.
13. UC San Diego BioEngineering Research Project B (BERP-B)
Location: Online or Hybrid (includes shipping lab kits)
Cost/Stipend: $2,600 (Online); $3,000 (Hybrid) + potential $500 lab fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive admission requiring instructor approval
Dates: Winter
Application Deadline: Summer
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; minimum 3.0 GPA; ages 14+ (online) or 15+ (in-person). Enrollment approval by instructor (contact bextship@ucsd.edu)
In this advanced bioengineering course, you will conduct your own research project involving active experimentation and data analysis, potentially collaborating with a research lab. The program includes lectures, discussions, and lab meetings scheduled flexibly around your availability, requiring 6–10 hours per week in-class plus additional homework. You will develop a scientific abstract, research paper, and formal presentation, suitable for science fairs or academic conferences. Remote students receive lab kits shipped to their homes and may incur minor additional supply costs. The course is designed to deepen your understanding of bioengineering research methodologies and enhance your scientific communication skills.