10 Online Summer Research Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 27
- 6 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
If you're a high schooler looking for an accessible and flexible way to conduct research, consider an online summer research program!
What are online summer research programs for high school students? Why should I apply?
Online summer research programs allow high school students to explore academic research, gain experience, and build valuable connections. The online research programs in the list below will enable you to learn about advanced topics, collaborate with experts, and develop skills like data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific writing.
Through a virtual format, you can engage with industry professionals and participate in research without the logistical challenges of moving cities or states for the summer! Participating in a research program can also show college admissions officers your commitment to your field of interest and ability to handle advanced academic work.
To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of 10 online summer research programs for high school students.
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.
Cost: Programs start at $2990
Dates: Multiple cohorts available; summer cohort runs June - August
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3; no prior knowledge of specific research fields require
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program to increase diversity in artificial intelligence. The program combines lectures, research projects, and mentorship to introduce you to AI applications. The program applies AI to medicine, disaster response, and poverty alleviation. You will work with professionals from the Stanford AI Lab, gaining exposure to AI research.
Cost: $4,000
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Students entering 9th grade or 10th grade who will be at least 14 years old by the program's start date.
3. 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.
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
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.
JHIBS is a summer research program that introduces high school students to the neurological sciences, particularly neuroscience and psychology. The program provides mentored research experience, allowing you to explore career opportunities in behavioral health sciences. The internship includes in-person and virtual options, focusing on diversity in the biomedical field. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost: Free for participants.
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, exact dates to be announced.
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors enrolled in high school.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers a two-week summer research internship for high school students to explore the intersection of AI and healthcare. You will gain exposure to AI in healthcare, participate in research projects, and engage with Stanford mentors and researchers. The program features Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions, where guest speakers from academia, industry, non-profits, and government sectors share their experiences. There may be opportunities to extend the internship into independent research. Students who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost: $850
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Students entering 9th to 12th grade in the fall who will be over 14 years old by the program's start
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers remote internships for students interested in gaining experience in psychology and related fields. Internships are available year-round, with spring, summer, fall, and winter cohorts, and provide compensation or academic credit. You will work on projects that enhance your understanding of psychology, develop professional skills, and contribute to APA’s ongoing initiatives. Remote internships must align with APA’s Flexible Work Policy and require approval for remote work eligibility. Participants must reside in states where APA is registered as an employer. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost: No cost to apply or participate
Dates: Year-round cohorts available (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Must be eligible to work in the U.S. (verified by e-verify), reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer (excludes states like California, New York, and Colorado), and be enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution
Stanford EXPLORE is a three-week virtual lecture series for high school students interested in biomedical research. Organized by the Stanford School of Medicine, the program covers fundamental topics and current research areas such as immunology, neuroscience, regenerative and stem cell medicine, cancer biology, bioengineering, and bioinformatics. The lectures are delivered by Stanford graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. You will gain valuable insights into educational pathways and careers in medicine and research, helping you make informed decisions about your future studies.
Cost: $1,500
Dates: July (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST)
Application Deadline: Applications will open in March
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the U.S.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) offers internships for students interested in foreign relations, providing experience in a think tank environment. Interns are paired with scholars or professionals to develop industry-specific skills and general professional competencies, such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Summer interns participate in weekly foreign policy seminars and career-focused sessions with guest speakers. Interns work on research papers for potential publication in “Intern Corner” and network within the foreign policy community. FPRI offers in-person and remote internship options. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost: Generally unpaid, no cost to participate
Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: TBD | Summer: Opens February 3 | Fall: TBD
Eligibility: Open to high school students
PRIMES-USA is a research program for high school sophomores and juniors residing in the U.S. outside the Greater Boston area. Focusing on advanced mathematics research, the program allows you to work on individual or group projects under the guidance of MIT mentors. You will develop proof-writing skills, gain exposure to higher-level mathematics, and collaborate with peers and experts. PRIMES-USA operates entirely online, enabling students nationwide to participate. Admission is highly competitive and based on a comprehensive application, including a problem set submission and recommendations.
Cost: No participation fee, fully funded
Application Deadline: November 18
Program Dates: January to May
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who live at least 50 miles from Boston (those closer should apply to MIT PRIMES).
The EnergyMag research internship allows you to work on a research project in renewable energy. You will learn more about the energy storage company. In your research project, you will gather data, analyze it, and produce a report to be published under your name on the EnergyMag website. Interns can choose between half-time summer internships lasting 2 to 8 weeks or quarter-time programs that span up to 9 months. The program's flexibility ensures that students can tailor their internships to fit their schedules.
Cost: None
Dates: Half-time (summer) or quarter-time internships are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of over 3.25. One honors science or English class is typically required.
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.
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