10 Research Programs for High School Students in Los Angeles, California
For high school students, participating in research programs is a great opportunity to gain experience, mentorship, and exposure to research before entering college. These programs allow you to explore fields such as biomedicine, engineering, and environmental science. Research programs also help you build skills that can strengthen your college applications, particularly for competitive programs.
From working in university laboratories to collaborating with industry professionals, these research opportunities can help you explore your interests. In this blog, we’ve listed 10 of the best research programs for high school students in Los Angeles, California. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
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!
For high school students interested in STEM, COSMOS allows you to study advanced science and math through practical projects. You will also collaborate with peers and network with faculty. Through this program, you will understand the fundamentals of scientific inquiry with faculty mentorship. In addition to being acknowledged as participants in an Academic Preparation Program on their University of California applications, COSMOS alumni are given special access to internship, scholarship, and mini-research grant applications.
Location: UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Subsidized tuition for California residents; financial aid available.
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: Applications Open: Early January; Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: California high school students with strong math and science backgrounds and an average GPA of 3.8 or higher.
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.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
SCIP+ is a six-week program for academically advanced high school students. It offers a comprehensive introduction to college-level academics through Research Practice 97XD, a one-unit course offering a theoretical introduction to research. Through UCLA Summer Sessions and the Undergraduate Research Center (URC), SCIP+ gives students access to UCLA's academic resources and skills to replicate the undergraduate experience. You will produce and present research articles, practice interviews with UCLA researchers, and master research techniques through cohort-based sessions. To learn more about this program, check out our full review of UCLA’s summer offerings here.
Location: UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Program Fee: $1,950; Unit Fee: $385 per unit (students typically enroll in 6–10 units); Residential Plan (Optional): $5,168 (includes housing and meals).
Dates: June 23 – August 1.
Application Deadline: Early Action: January 31; Official Application: April 1
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders (Spring); Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.8 (unweighted)
The University of Southern California hosts the Bovard Scholars Program, a fully funded summer residency for students interested in gaining exposure to university-level research and academics. Along with college life experience, you will receive mentorship, individualized support through the college application process, and access to university research labs. The program offers a 3:1 scholar-to-staff ratio. The workshops and activities include college essay writing, SAT/ACT test prep, networking with experts and current students, scholarship searches, and career exploration. To read more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free (all expenses covered).
Dates: 3-week program in July.
Application Deadline: January 17, at 5 p.m. PT
Eligibility: High school juniors with a 4.0 GPA or above who demonstrate financial need.
This program, which focuses on the applications of nanoscience, combines scientific study with hands-on practice. You will study current research topics, read scholarly works, and create your own nanotechnology-based product concepts. You will hone your projects and pitch your ideas to tech investors while gaining expertise in entrepreneurship from faculty. Commuting and residential options are offered. The residential track will give you access to weekend and evening events. Every participant will receive college credit for taking Chemistry 8 at UCLA.
Location: UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Need- and merit-based scholarships are available for California residents in grades 9–11.
Dates:
Session A: July 6 – 19 (Residential) / July 7 – 18 (Commuter)
Session B: July 27 – August 9 (Residential) / July 28 – August 8 (Commuter)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions starting February 15, with deadlines in June for summer sessions.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Completion of high school chemistry is required.
The CTY Summer Program allows students to take advanced courses at two locations in Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount University and The Mirman School. Several courses are available in the humanities, STEM subjects, and interdisciplinary studies. Chemistry in Society, Principles of Engineering Design, Fast-Paced High School Physics (which covers mechanics, electromagnetic, and gravitation), and Cryptology are a few examples. You will also participate in group activities and connect with other students who share your interests. Both residential and commuter options are available.
Location:
Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Los Angeles, CA
The Mirman School, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Varies by course, typically between $3,149 and $7,501; need-based financial aid is available.
Dates:
Session 1: June 22 – July 11
Session 2: July 13 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 2, or earlier if funding runs out.
Eligibility: High school students. Specific eligibility requirements depend on the chosen course.
The Discover Engineering Program at USC is for high school students who want to explore different engineering fields and work on practical projects. You will participate in class discussions, attend academic lectures, and finish projects that require building prototypes. You can explore aerospace, biomedical, chemical, computer science, environmental, and mechanical engineering. In previous projects, students constructed and flew RC airplanes, developed Arduino microcontroller systems, 3D printed prototypes, and designed artificial intelligence-powered devices. You will also take field trips to locations such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Commuter: $7,812 (excludes room & board); Residential: $11,347 (includes tuition, course materials, program fee, room & board, and health center fee)
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least the 9th grade by June 15
Loyola Marymount University's Exploring Engineering program provides an introduction to electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering. Using design, problem-solving, and collaborative strategies, you will study fundamental engineering concepts. After completing the program successfully, you will receive three units of college credit. Along with field trips to top engineering firms in Southern California, the program emphasizes learning about global issues and contemporary engineering advancements. With access to LMU's facilities and weekend social events, this residential program immerses you in campus life.
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA (residential only; no commuter option)
Cost: $10,500 (tuition, housing, meals, course materials, field trips, and social excursions).
Dates: June 22 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (must have completed junior year by summer); Completion of algebra before program start
RMP is a rigorous, multidisciplinary summer program that pairs high school students with UCSB research mentors. You will become familiar with university-level research procedures and acquire critical skills unique to each discipline. You can conduct research in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. You will contribute to real research projects while collaborating with UCSB faculty, graduate students, or postdoctoral scientists. The program includes GRIT Talks, in which researchers from UCSB share their findings. You can earn 4–8 college credits. Attending workshops on career planning and college admissions can help you prepare for future academic endeavors. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter Option: $5,175 total; Residential Option: $12,474 total.
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17 (rolling admissions)
Eligibility: High schoolers in grades 10–11 (advanced 9th graders may apply), with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.8 (UC a–g requirements), must commit to attending the entire program.
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.