10 Math Research Programs for High School Students
If you’re looking for a mathematical challenge that introduces you to new concepts and hones your problem-solving skills, then a pre-college research program could be a good fit for you! Pre-college math research programs can sharpen your analytical skills and connect you with like-minded peers. They also prove demonstrable interest in a subject, which college admissions boards value highly.
While no one-size-fits-all policy applies to such programs, it’s a good idea to start by defining your objective: Do you want to increase your understanding of math, bolster your college application, or prepare for prestigious math competitions?
To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 mathematics research programs for high schoolers worth considering:
SAMS is a six-week summer program for high school juniors interested in math and science. This program is fully funded and led by Carnegie Mellon faculty for students from underrepresented backgrounds. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with research projects that involve experimental design, data collection, and analysis. You will participate in lectures, meetings, and a research symposium at the end of the program. Additionally, Carnegie Mellon organizes virtual training before the program begins to help you develop essential skills.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Program dates: June 22 – August 3
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school juniors from underrepresented communities who are at least 16 years of age at the start of the program
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.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on 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 and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, 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, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar 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. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
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.
SUMaC is a rigorous summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in mathematics. The program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate below 10%. There are two enrollment options: a residential program for 40 students and an online program for 64. The curriculum includes tackling challenging problems as a group, engaging in rigorous coursework, and gaining exposure to research in mathematics. There are two main focus areas: Abstract Algebra & Number Theory and Algebraic Topology. You will explore concepts in Abstract Algebra, including limitations of compass-and-straightedge constructions and symmetry analysis in structures.
Location: Virtual, you can participate from anywhere in the world!
Cost: $3550. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Likely in June-July
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
RSI is a selective summer program accepting roughly 100 students annually. This six-week program offers coursework and research. The first week features STEM classes led by MIT professors, which is followed by five weeks of research. During the program, you will work under the guidance of scientists and researchers on individual projects. You will experience the entire research cycle, from familiarizing yourself with current scientific literature to designing a research plan, conducting the research, and presenting findings through written reports and presentations. An evening lecture series features leading figures in mathematics, including Nobel laureates and entrepreneurs. At the program's conclusion, a panel of scientists selects outstanding research papers and presentations for special recognition.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Program dates: June 23 – August 3
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence (RSI expects PSAT math scores to be at least 740 and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores to be at least 700. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34. International students have separate admission criteria that can be viewed here.
This three-week summer program at New York University's Center for Mathematical Talent offers high school students the opportunity to explore mathematics beyond the typical high school curriculum. The program covers undergraduate-level math topics, including number theory, graph theory, knots and surfaces, and computer science. You will gain exposure to these concepts through lectures, problem-solving activities, and mathematical games. Daily sessions explore the applications of mathematics in various scientific fields and offer guidance on college admissions. Lectures are led by NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematics faculty, and you can also attend guest lectures by mathematicians.
Location: New York University (NYU), New York.
Cost: $1,750. Limited scholarships are available.
Program dates: August 12 – 30
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9-11, 10, and 11 with a B- grade in Algebra I
The Math Modeling Camp is a week-long commuter program offered to Minnesota high school students, particularly those in the Twin Cities area. Through this program, you will apply mathematical concepts to analyze real-world scenarios, hone problem-solving and analytical skills, and strengthen your teamwork abilities. The program also aims to cultivate the focus and attention to detail required for sustained work. To apply, you must have completed a single-variable calculus course and submitted a recommendation letter from a math teacher.
Location: On-campus at the University of Minnesota. Limited slots are available for students who wish to participate remotely
Cost: Fully funded. Students will have to arrange their own transportation to the campus.
Program dates: June 24 – June 28
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students must currently be enrolled in high school and have completed a year-long course in single-variable calculus by the end of the 2023–2024 school year. High school seniors who will have graduated by July are also eligible
Canada/USA Mathcamp is a five-week program where you can explore advanced mathematical concepts, collaborate with peers, and learn from faculty. With an acceptance rate of 5%, this highly selective program admits only 120 students annually. Mathcamp offers courses covering various mathematical fields, including algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and topology. You can choose your method of instruction, such as lectures, research projects, and more.
Location: The program location alternates between the U.S. and Canada annually
Cost: $5,500. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: June 30 – August 4
Application deadline: Applications are typically open till March
Eligibility: High school and middle school students aged 13-18
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Math Summer Workshop is a fully funded program for mathematically advanced high school students in the U.S. This program offers students several topics to study, including:
Probability: Explore the concepts of chance and uncertainty.
Functions: Deepen your understanding of functions, the building blocks of mathematical modeling.
Math Biology: See how mathematics is applied to solve problems in the biological world, and
Beyond Traditional Solutions: Explore the imaginative problem-solving techniques exemplified by the Sisyphus function, the "insane grocery shopper's problem," and the concept of "escaping the executioner.”
You will participate in math labs where you will engage in experiments and activities that illustrate mathematical principles. You will also be introduced to mathematical modeling and how it is used to solve real-world problems.
Location: RIT, New York.
Cost: Fully funded.
Program dates: July 1 - July 5
Application deadline: There is no specific deadline. Applications will be accepted and reviewed throughout the year.
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in a U.S. high school.
The AwesomeMath Summer Program is an online program geared toward mathematically talented middle and high school students worldwide. It aims to develop problem-solving skills and improve mathematical understanding among students, with a focus on preparing them for contests like AMC10/12, AIME, and USA(J)MO. Lecturers and Olympiad coaches teach students participating in the program. The program emphasizes theoretical understanding and practical application in learning advanced mathematics. Students accepted into the program can choose the session(s) they wish to participate in and the number of courses they enroll in per session. Courses include Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, Number Theory, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,175 – $1,475, depending on the date of application/payment
Program dates: Session 1: June 10 – 28; Session 2: July 1 – 19; Session 3: July 22 – August 9
Application deadline: Applications typically close by February
Eligibility: Open to students aged 12-18. There are 4 course levels in the program; eligibility varies depending on the chosen level
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.