12 Research Programs for High School Students in Boston
If you are a high school student eager to dive into the world of research, participating in structured research programs can be a great next step. These programs allow you to investigate scientific questions through experimentation, data analysis, and computation, offering you the opportunity to build practical research skills. You will spend a few weeks working in real laboratory settings or on computational projects, while also building connections with scientists, researchers, and peers that may open doors to future STEM opportunities. Research programs also help you learn how to document scientific findings and share them with a larger audience, offering a chance to build presentation and professional communication skills.
Why should you attend a program in Boston?
Boston and its immediate surroundings are home to universities like MIT, Harvard, and Northeastern, as well as institutions like the Broad Institute and Mass General. These institutions let high schoolers engage in activities such as laboratory experiments, data modeling, and independent projects in areas like biology, AI, and engineering. If you live or study in Boston, these opportunities are accessible, being just a short commute away. At the same time, out-of-city students can benefit from immersive summer experiences and residential research programs in a vibrant academic hub.
To help you choose the best option, we have narrowed down 12 research programs for high school students in Boston.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Massachusetts General Hospital’s Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (or another lab within Boston)
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend available (amount unspecified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31; applications open on November 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates living or studying in Massachusetts during the program; applicants must have work authorization in the U.S.
This is a paid, full-time internship designed to help students gain exposure to neuroscience and neurology. The program begins with a boot camp that covers laboratory protocols, workplace basics, and research skills, before you are matched with a mentor in an MGH neurology lab. Then, you will work with a peer and contribute to ongoing projects while attending weekly seminars led by clinicians and researchers covering various areas of neurology. You will network with peers and professionals through field trips and group lunches. At the end, you will present your research findings to faculty, students, and members of the MGH neurology department. Program support and career guidance will be available to you even after the summer session concludes.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI offers high school students passionate about AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. In the AI Fellowship program, you will learn about core AI concepts and pursue independent AI research projects focused on the use of AI. You will work on research projects over 15 weeks under the guidance of a mentor. A highlight of this program is the support of its in-house publication team to help you publish your work in high school research journals. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Harvard Medical School’s Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, or affiliated research labs
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Boston and Cambridge high school juniors and seniors who will be over 16 by June 29, hold a GPA of 2.7 or higher, are from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, and have completed courses in biology, chemistry, and algebra when the program starts
This is a paid summer internship program that will place you at Harvard Medical School or affiliated science laboratories in Boston to conduct research under the mentorship of science professionals for 7 weeks. You will engage in hands-on research in biomedical fields, contributing to ongoing projects and learning laboratory techniques. You will also participate in STEM group learning experiences, including seminars with researchers and physicians to broaden your understanding of scientific methods. Site visits to hospitals and biotechnology organizations will offer exposure to real-world applications of research. You may also develop writing and speaking skills through educational and career guidance sessions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as data science, psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend availability varies by year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; cohort size varies by year
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
This is a six-week hands-on research experience that allows you to work in STEM labs at Northeastern University on projects in areas such as chemistry, bioengineering, or pharmaceutical sciences. The program includes seminars on engineering, professional development, college admissions, and research ethics, as well as field trips to local companies and government sites where you will interact with engineers. You will collaborate with faculty and graduate mentors on ongoing lab work, gaining practical skills in experimentation and data analysis. At the end, you will present your summer research at a poster session.
6. Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center CURE Program
Location: Various sites in Boston, MA (Longwood Medical Area)
Stipend: Paid weekly
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small research cohort
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and first-year college students, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 16 and living in or attending school in Massachusetts
This is a summer internship focused on cancer research, which places you in real research settings at local institutions under the guidance of a mentor. The program includes mentored projects involving lab experiments, data analysis, or computational work, depending on the lab focus. You will also attend journal clubs, research seminars, and training in lab skills and research ethics to build your scientific foundation. The program includes career and academic development sessions, where you can connect with researchers and professionals from affiliated hospitals and institutions. By the end, you will prepare a research abstract and present your findings, gaining hands-on experience with the research process while developing a deeper understanding of cancer science and scientific methods.
7. MSLC’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various organizations and research centers across MA, including Boston
Stipend: Up to ~$4,080
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 150+ students/year
Dates: Internships in the summer; exact dates vary by host company and role
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students and recent high school graduates who are at least 16 years old by the start of the internship and attend a Massachusetts high school that meets the requirements of the program
This program, run by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, connects high school students with research-focused internships. You will join a research institution or a small life science company for the summer, engaging in research and placement-specific tasks. Before the internship, you will attend a training program designed to equip you with workplace skills. You will also have access to opportunities for skill and knowledge development focused on biotech and biomedical sciences. During the internship, you may receive lab training and gain exposure relevant to future STEM opportunities.
8. Mass General Brigham Youth Program
Location: Various sites in Boston, MA—Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 75 students/year
Dates: Academic year and summer programming (specific summer dates not specified)
Application deadline: Spring; exact date TBA
Eligibility: Current 10th graders enrolled at Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, Revere High School, Chelsea High School, or any Boston public school with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Mass General Brigham Youth Program is a multi-year program that supports students from 10th grade through college as they explore careers in healthcare, research, and science. In 10th grade, you focus on career exploration and community-building; in 11th and 12th grade, you can take on paid internships and receive college and career advising. Summer job placements are available across departments such as emergency medicine, neurology, radiology, psychiatry, research labs, and more, where you will work alongside trained supervisors who mentor you through weekly professional development workshops. After graduation, you can access one-on-one advising, workshops, and scholarships while you navigate college. The program partners with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) to recruit students for summer jobs, and students from Revere and Chelsea who are already enrolled in the Youth Program are also eligible for those positions.
9. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge (Greater Boston Area), MA
Stipend: $3,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising seniors in the Greater Boston area with a B grade or better in math and science
BSSP enables high school students to conduct professional research at the Broad Institute and work on original genomics projects. You will work closely with a scientist mentor who will guide you through computational or experimental research in areas like infectious disease, cancer, and psychiatric research. Outside the lab, you will attend scientific seminars, attend career development workshops, and receive training in communication skills. The program culminates in a poster session where you will present your findings to peers and the scientific community.
10. MGH IHP Aspiring Physician and Medical Scientist Summer Program
Location: MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA
Cost: $4,500 + optional $540 for college credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 25 students
Dates: July 20 – 31 | August 3 – 14
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students
This is a two-week program at MGH Institute of Health Professions, where you will gain hands-on experience in healthcare and medical research through simulations and interactive sessions. Throughout the program, you will participate in research skills training and activities that strengthen your understanding of medical science. The curriculum covers specialties such as emergency care, surgery, and neurology, and is led by faculty and instructors affiliated with Harvard. The experience is designed as an immersive learning environment that prepares you for potential careers in medicine. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate that can support your college applications.
11. Harvard Medical School’s MEDscienceLAB
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,800 (five days) | $2,250 (four days); a limited number of scholarships are available for Boston-area students.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August; check dates here.
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up
This is a four- to five-day program that focuses on the link between clinical research and patient care. As a participant, you will work in a lab, running experiments using techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, and ELISA on patient-derived samples, and linking lab findings to patient outcomes through simulations. You will work within a team of peers to interpret test results, identify diseases/conditions, and make treatment decisions, simulating the translational medicine workflow. The program allows you to explore certain aspects of research in labs, preparing you for future research. You will also have access to MEDchats, sessions that connect you with professionals across healthcare and research and offer insight into medical and research careers.
12. Boston Children’s Hospital Camp Zon Summer Intern Program
Location: Virtual (hosted by Boston Children's Hospital)
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: April 24
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, residing in Massachusetts and attending a Massachusetts high school; no research experience required
This two-week virtual research experience hosted by Boston Children’s Hospital’s Zon Lab is designed to help you learn about blood development and cancer biology through lectures and activities. The program involves reading scientific literature, learning the basics of coding for data analysis, and developing critical thinking skills. Throughout the program, you will work on designing a research project, often in teams, focusing on anemia using zebrafish models. Career guidance is also available through mentoring sessions and panel Q&A discussions with lab scientists. The program concludes with a presentation of your project to lab members, family, and peers. This format allows you to interact with leading researchers while strengthening your research and presentation skills.
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