12 Engineering Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 31
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 19
For high school students interested in engineering, a summer research program can be an effective way to explore a future career path in the field and build solid scientific skills along the way. Research programs offer experience in professional labs, allowing you to engage in problem-solving, work with advanced technology, and collaborate with faculty and researchers. Whether your interests lie in aerospace, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, or mechanical design, these experiences can refine your interests and build a strong foundation for college.
In addition to developing technical skills, engineering research programs can enhance your college applications, connect you with pre-college opportunities, and help you network with professionals in the field. If you're based in Texas, you're in luck! Texas has multiple organizations and universities that offer research programs in engineering and other STEM subjects, and they are a relatively accessible way to conduct research.
Below, we've narrowed down a list of 12 engineering summer research programs for high schoolers in Texas.
The High School Research Academy at The University of Texas at Austin provides a five-week summer research experience in active College of Natural Sciences (CNS) laboratories. You will engage in interdisciplinary research in areas such as biochemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, and genome engineering. The program emphasizes research techniques and includes collaboration with UT faculty, undergraduates, and other high school students. You can present your findings at the HSRA Research Symposium, creating a printed research poster. Additionally, completing the program earns you UT extension course credit, which can enhance your academic portfolio.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Cost: $4,000 (includes a $350 non-refundable deposit; need-based scholarships available)
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23 (late applications accepted but not guaranteed review)
Eligibility: Open to high school students; no housing or transportation provided.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program offers a seven-week summer research experience for high school juniors and seniors, focusing on engineering, computer science, physics, and biomedical research. Under the mentorship of faculty at Texas Tech University, you will work on an individual research project in areas such as mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and chemistry. Throughout the summer, you will participate in weekly seminars, social activities, and lab work while living on campus. At the conclusion of the program, successful participants receive a $750 stipend. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective (12 students per year)
Cost: Free (includes meals, housing, and programming; $25 application fee)
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24, 11:59 PM CST
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; must be 17 years old by the program start date.
The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) offers several summer research programs that introduce you to various engineering disciplines. These programs emphasize technical skill development, faculty-led workshops, research lab tours, and problem-solving. Opportunities include exploring engineering systems, biomedical engineering, robotics and AI, and aerospace engineering. Some camps feature a make-a-thon challenge, allowing you to develop solutions to real-world issues, while others focus on building and launching rockets or designing autonomous robots.
Location: University of Texas at San Antonio, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Cost: Varies by camp; scholarships available
Program Dates: Various camps take place between June and July.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spots fill
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
The Computer Science Research Internship at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) is a selective summer program for high school students interested in computer science, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. You will work in UTD research labs, dedicating 20-40 hours per week to advanced research projects. Depending on the lab, tasks may include reading research papers, conducting simulations, or developing software applications. This internship is ideal for self-motivated students with strong coding and analytical skills who want to collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and industry experts.
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Cost: $1,000 (discounts available for low-income students)
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spots fill
Eligibility: High school students (age 16+ required for in-person attendance); students must arrange their own housing if attending in person
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program at Texas A&M University is a three-week residential research internship centered on biomedical engineering and healthcare technologies. You will work on biomedical research projects while developing skills in scientific writing, literature reviews, and laboratory techniques. The program features mentorship from faculty and graduate researchers, networking opportunities, and participation in a Virtual Research Symposium with students from Texas A&M, UCLA, Rice University, and Florida International University. Upon completion, you will receive a $2,000 stipend based on milestones such as presenting research and assisting with outreach programs.
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Cost: Free (includes lodging, meals, and travel expenses); $2,000 stipend upon completion.
Program Dates: June to July.
Application Deadline: April 5 (selected applicants notified by April 12).
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; high school sophomores or juniors from Los Fresnos CISD or Sharyland ISD; must be 16 years or older.
The George A. Jeffrey NanoExplorers Program at The University of Texas at Dallas allows high school students to conduct original research in nanotechnology. You will be assigned to a faculty research lab aligned with your interests, where you will learn lab skills, conduct experiments, and contribute to funded projects. As a lab member, you will be encouraged to explore new concepts and develop independent research ideas. Participants present their findings at an annual research symposium and may co-author scientific papers or present at conferences. The program has produced alumni who have gone on to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and UT Dallas.
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: March 28, 5:00 p.m. (Selected students notified by April 25)
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering 10th–12th grade
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer Intern Program at The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research is a NASA-funded research opportunity for high school students. As an intern, you will engage in space and Earth science research, learning to interpret NASA satellite data with guidance from NASA scientists and engineers.
You will explore astronomy, planetary science, climate research, and space geodetic techniques while gaining experience in data analysis and mission design. The program includes both virtual research activities and an on-site internship experience at UT Austin, culminating in the SEES Virtual Science Symposium, where you will present your findings.
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and local transportation; travel scholarships available).
Program Dates: June to July (virtual research work followed by an on-site internship and a virtual symposium).
Application Deadline: February 22, 11:59 PM PT (notifications sent by May 1).
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in STEM
The Hybrid High School Summer Research Program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers virtual engineering research opportunities. This free, three-week program allows you to collaborate with university faculty and students on online research projects. You'll gain experience in STEM and develop essential research skills. Weekly campus visits are optional, with stipends provided for each visit. The program emphasizes teamwork.
Location: Virtual, with optional visits to Texas A&M University-Kingsville, TX.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited; early application is encouraged.
Cost: Free program; stipends available for campus visits.
Program Dates: June 19 to July 7.
Application Deadline: May 22.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents interested in STEM; must be currently enrolled in high school.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program at AFWERX Texas provides paid summer research internships. These internships are for high school students interested in aerospace, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering technologies. Interns work alongside Air Force scientists and engineers, gaining experience in cutting-edge defense and space research. This program offers an opportunity to contribute to real-world projects in a high-tech research environment. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: AFWERX, Texas.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective.
Cost: Free (paid stipend for participants).
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates vary by location).
Application Deadline: January 10.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens only; must be at least 16 years old by the application deadline; must be enrolled in high school with a recommended GPA of 3.0
The NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) Program offers Texas high school juniors the chance to engage with NASA scientists and engineers while exploring real-world aerospace challenges. The program starts with a five-month online learning experience focused on space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, and technology research. Top-performing students from the online component are invited to Moonshot, a five-day virtual summer experience where they collaborate on NASA-inspired engineering design projects under the guidance of NASA experts. The highest-achieving teams are then selected for an all-expenses-paid residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, participating in team problem-solving challenges, facility tours, and interactions with NASA researchers. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive.
Cost: Free (fully funded by NASA).
Program Dates: Online coursework from October to April; virtual summer experience in June to July; residential experience at NASA JSC for top performers in late July.
Application Deadline: Early October.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors who are Texas residents and U.S. citizens.
Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
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.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - University of Texas at Dallas Logo
