Machine learning (ML) is transforming industries from healthcare to finance, enabling breakthroughs in fields like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and natural language processing. For high school students, engaging in ML research is a great opportunity to explore technology and develop skills in programming, data analysis, and problem-solving. These programs not only provide foundational knowledge in algorithms and data science but also give you hands-on experience with ML.

Participating in an ML research program can also enhance your college applications by showing admissions officers your intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn beyond the standard high school curriculum. Each program in this list offers a unique curriculum, ranging from introductory courses to advanced research opportunities. These opportunities allow you to conduct ML research directly or build skills that would be vital for future research projects. 

This list highlights 10 Machine Learning (ML) research programs designed for high school students.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Machine Learning track

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 PhD 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 machine learning, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here!

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility:

• You must be currently enrolled in high school

• Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: most accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

• No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!

Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June 

2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. 

Once you select a particular subject track and the type of research you wish to carry out, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar from a reputed university who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. 

Students interested in machine learning research can choose from a range of courses, including ‘Applications of Machine Learning’ and ‘Machine Learning and Biotechnology.’ The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!

Location: Virtual 

Application Date: December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort, February 16, 2025 for the spring cohort

Program Dates: 

• Winter seminar: December 16, 2024 onwards

• Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards

• Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance

Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here

3. Veritas AI

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs tailored for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 

Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. The fellowship encourages students to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enabling them to merge AI with various fields such as finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more! You can also check out some examples of past projects here. 

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: Winter cohort deadline: December 1, 2024

Program Dates: Varies according to the cohort

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

4. UC San Diego’s Machine Learning for High Schoolers

The UC San Diego Machine Learning for High Schoolers program offers students a comprehensive introduction to machine learning, covering Python programming, statistical analysis, and applied algorithms. The course includes a sequence on regression models, supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, and neural networks, with a focus on practical applications like image processing. Delivered online in a flexible, asynchronous format, this program is well-suited for students aiming to develop technical expertise in machine learning.

Location: Virtual and asynchronous

Application Deadline: Rolling

Program Dates: N/A

Eligibility: High school students

Cost: Pay as you go, $350 per course

5. Wharton’s Data Science Academy

The Wharton Data Science Academy introduces high school students to foundational data science and machine learning concepts, emphasizing problem-solving with real-world data. You will develop skills in data visualization, probability, statistics, and machine learning through structured lectures, group projects, and expert-led sessions. Taught by Wharton faculty and supported by TAs, you will apply your learning in a final team project, showcasing your analytical abilities. The program combines rigorous coursework with collaborative experiences and is ideal for those interested in advanced data science studies.

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

Application Deadline: April 2, 2025

Program Dates: July 13 – August 2, 2025

Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders with a strong background in math and coding 

Cost: $9,799 (financial aid available)

6. Stanford’s AI4ALL

Stanford AI4ALL is a three-week program designed to introduce high school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to the field of artificial intelligence. Through online lectures, hands-on group projects, and mentorship from Stanford faculty and researchers, you will explore the ethical and societal impacts of AI. Topics include applications of AI in areas like healthcare and social good. The program fosters technical skills alongside awareness of AI’s broader implications.

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: March 25, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 deadline)

Program Dates: July 8 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)

Eligibility: Rising 10th graders 

Cost: $4,000

7. Harvard Computer Society AI Summer Bootcamp

The Harvard Computer Society AI Summer Bootcamp offers high school students an intensive, five-day experience in artificial intelligence guided by Harvard researchers and students. The bootcamp provides two tracks: an Introductory Track for students with a foundational understanding of Python and math, and an Advanced Track for those with experience in AI or PyTorch, emphasizing research. Through lectures, hands-on projects, and personalized mentorship, you will gain insights into AI advancements, culminating in a mini-research project.

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: July 25, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 deadline)

Program Dates: August 26 – 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)

Eligibility: High schoolers with strong mathematical backgrounds

Cost: $495 – $595

8. MIT STEP Lab

The SRMPmachine program, a collaboration between MIT and the American Museum of Natural History, offers NYC high school students a hands-on introduction to machine learning. Through a four-week Summer Institute, you will learn to apply ML techniques to real-world scientific challenges in the natural sciences. Selected students continue in research labs throughout the academic year, working with scientists to deepen their technical knowledge and gain career insights into AI. This NSF-funded initiative emphasizes broadening access to STEM for underserved students.

Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

Application Deadline: Typically around mid-April 

Program Dates: Summer Institute in July; extended academic research through the school year

Eligibility: High school students in New York City, with a focus on those from underserved backgrounds

Cost: No cost listed

9. NYU’s Machine Learning Course

The NYU Tandon Machine Learning Summer Program offers high school students an in-depth introduction to machine learning fundamentals, covering data analysis, model development, and core algorithms. This two-week intensive includes hands-on projects in video and image recognition, autonomous systems, and diagnostic technologies. You will gain practical skills in ML applications and problem-solving through real-world challenges. The program is designed for students seeking a structured, rigorous exploration of machine learning in a collaborative environment.

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Application Deadline: April 22, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 deadline)

Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Three sessions were offered in 2024:

• June 17 – 28, 2024

• July 8 – 19, 2024 

• July 29 – August 9, 2024 

Eligibility: Students who will be 14 years or older by the start of the program, have completed Algebra 2, and have some experience in computer programming 

Cost: $3,050

10. The Coding School’s Summer Research Program

The Coding School’s Research Program provides high school students with an opportunity to conduct research in cutting-edge fields like machine learning and artificial intelligence. You will work under the mentorship of experts to develop and execute research projects, from initial concept to completion. The program emphasizes both technical skills and critical thinking, guiding you through advanced topics and methodologies that will prepare you for future academic and professional endeavors in AI.

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: N/A

Program Dates: July 8 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on 2024 dates)

Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade high school students and incoming college freshmen

Cost: Cost for 2025 has not yet been released

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.