As fall break approaches, it’s an ideal time for high school students to seek out research opportunities that offer hands-on experience and mentorship. Fall research programs provide a solid option for students to gain exposure to college-level academics, practical skills, industry insights, and connections. Fall research programs tend to be more affordable than summer research programs since they are shorter.

These programs allow you to work on real-world projects in fields like computational biology, environmental science, political analysis, astrophysics, and more. You’ll have the chance to code statistical models in Python, design and conduct laboratory experiments, analyze policy data using R, and construct mechanical prototypes. 

If you’re interested in research, we’ve narrowed down a list of the 11 best fall research programs for high school students!

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote, participate from anywhere in the world!

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Fall (September - December)

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).

Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3; no prior knowledge in the field required

Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to conduct advanced, independent research with one-on-one mentorship from Ph.D. experts. This fully remote program is accessible worldwide and covers fields like political science, economics, psychology, and more. 

You’ll develop a research project while balancing your school schedule, and gaining experience in academic writing, data analysis, and critical thinking. By the end of the program, you’ll produce a professional-level research paper and may have opportunities to present your findings, strengthening your academic portfolio and research skills. You can find more details about the application here.

2. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship Program

Location: New York City

Program Dates: October 21 - April 11.

Application Deadline: August 23.

Eligibility: Must be 16+, an NYC resident (for Fall/Spring), have valid working papers, and be in high school or accepted into an undergrad program.

Cost/Stipend: No cost; $16 per hour (paid hourly).

The New York City Office of the Mayor Internship Program gives high school students experience in city government and policy operations. You’ll be placed in departments aligned with your interests, working on tasks like research, data analysis, drafting briefings, attending meetings, and staffing events. Beyond your daily work, you’ll attend a bi-weekly Speaker Series featuring Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and senior staff, who will offer insights into city governance. The program also includes a collaborative service project, allowing you to contribute to initiatives that benefit New York City communities.

3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase

Location: Virtual

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.

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. 

4. U.S. Senate Page Program

Location: Washington, D.C.

Program Dates: September–December

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by senator sponsorship

Eligibility: U.S. citizens/permanent residents (with SSN), 16-17 years old by appointment date, rising juniors/seniors, 3.0 GPA minimum, health assessment & insurance required.

Cost/Stipend: No cost; total stipend of $35,360 for the term, disbursed monthly

The U.S. Senate Page Program gives 30 high school juniors an opportunity to engage with the legislative process in Washington, D.C. Through this program, you’ll gain experience in governance by assisting senators with delivering correspondence, preparing the Senate Chamber for sessions, and supporting roll call votes. Sponsored by U.S. senators, this role lets you contribute to the Senate's daily operations while developing a deeper understanding of policy-making. Pages live in supervised housing with covered expenses like rent and laundry, and the program emphasizes mentorship. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.  

5. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute

Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available

Program Dates: September – December

Application Deadline: Mid-July

Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S. are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Cost/ Stipend: No stipend provided

The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program allows high school students to explore international relations through remote and in-person roles. You’ll work with scholars and professionals, building skills like policy analysis, data interpretation, academic writing, and strategic communication. The program includes weekly seminars with foreign policy experts, covering geopolitical strategy, global security, and diplomatic affairs while offering career development insights. A key feature is the chance to co-author research papers, with potential publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

6. NASA OSTEM Internships

Location: Virtual & on-site options at NASA centers

Program Dates: Varies by position. Check here.

Application deadline: May 16

Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Cost: Free registration

The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program allows high school students to work on research and technology projects alongside NASA engineers and scientists. You’ll develop technical skills in areas like artificial intelligence for air traffic management, machine learning, robotics, and augmented and virtual reality. The program offers both virtual and on-site internships at NASA centers across the U.S., providing STEM experience and mentorship. Depending on your project’s focus, you could work on data modeling, software development, prototype testing, or aerospace systems analysis. For more information and a complete list of available positions, visit the NASA OSTEM internship page. For tips on getting a NASA internship, check out our guide here.

7. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program

Location: Washington, D.C. 

Program Dates: September–December

Application Deadline: June

Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution.

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded

The U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship offers high school students experience in policy research, data analysis, and government operations. Based in Washington, D.C., you’ll collect and interpret policy data, conduct economic research, and summarize key academic literature and news related to the Treasury’s mission. You’ll work with Treasury officials and across U.S. government agencies, developing skills in quantitative analysis, project management, policy evaluation, and cross-agency coordination. Interns are placed in different departmental offices, gaining insights into federal government operations and international policy-making. This program is ideal for students interested in public service, economics, or international relations. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

8. City Limits’ CLARIFY Program

Location: CUNY Brooklyn or CUNY York College campuses

Program Dates: Fall dates start from September. Contact here for details.

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. TBD for the Fall session

Eligibility: Open to rising juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates; must reside in New York

Cost: Free + $1,000 stipend provided

The City Limits CLARIFY program trains high school students in public service journalism, focusing on investigative reporting and issues affecting underrepresented communities in New York City. You’ll develop skills in research, interviewing, data analysis, investigative techniques, media ethics, and photojournalism. You will work with City Limits' professional journalists. The program offers two cohort options: an English-language cohort and a Bilingual Cohort for Spanish and English speakers. Past participants have covered topics like the New York housing crisis, press freedom, and labor strikes, gaining experience in community-focused storytelling.

9. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)

Location: Harvard Campus

Program Dates: September to May 

Application Deadline: February

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS)

Cost/Stipend: Free

The Harvard Science Program Research Mentorship (SRMP) offers high school students an introduction to astrophysics research through a year-long mentorship with experts from the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (CfA). You’ll develop skills like data analysis, computational modeling, academic writing, and scientific communication while working on independent research projects. The program runs from September to May, featuring monthly advisory sessions and ending with a final research symposium. SRMP is highly selective, accepting only 10-16 students annually from the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, and offers a stipend funded by the City of Cambridge. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

10. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program

Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA

Program Dates: Year-round 

Application Deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Open to full-time 9th or 10th-grade students in San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) schools with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and at least a grade C in science and math.

Cost/Stipend: Free; interns are paid above minimum wage

The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program offers 16 San Francisco high school students from underrepresented groups in STEM the chance to engage in fieldwork, science education, and sustainability initiatives at the California Academy of Sciences. You’ll develop skills in science communication, public speaking, data collection, and financial literacy while receiving college application support. The program includes opportunities to present research at STEM conferences, work on environmental projects, and work alongside Academy researchers and STEM professionals. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

11. Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group (VMSG) Student Internships

Location: Various international locations

Program Dates: Varies by program; typically 1 week to several months starting from August

Application Deadline: Varies by program

Eligibility: High school and university students with a background in earth sciences or related fields

Cost/Stipend: Varies. Some internships are unpaid or self-funded

The Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group (VMSG) offers high school students a chance to explore geology and volcanology through international research internships. You’ll gain skills in field data collection, geophysical surveying, laboratory techniques, and environmental monitoring. You will work on projects like active volcano monitoring and magmatic process analysis. Throughout the program, you’ll develop GIS mapping skills, analyze geochemical data, interpret seismic activity, and prepare technical reports. You’ll also collaborate with geophysicists and petrologists, enhancing your quantitative analysis, scientific writing, and presentation abilities.

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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