12 Research Programs for High School Students in Minnesota
- Stephen Turban
- 8 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re interested in exploring a subject beyond your high school classes, research programs can help you engage with academic work in a more focused and structured way. These opportunities introduce you to fields such as biomedical science, neuroscience, engineering, journalism, and environmental studies while helping you build skills in analysis, problem-solving, and communication. They also provide exposure to how research is conducted in university labs, professional organizations, and collaborative academic settings.
In Minnesota, research programs are offered through universities, medical centers, nonprofit organizations, and STEM initiatives across the state. These opportunities include laboratory internships, mentored research projects, academic workshops, and interdisciplinary programs that vary in duration, subject focus, and level of specialization.
Why should I do a research program in high school?
Research programs allow you to investigate topics in greater depth while learning how professionals approach scientific, technical, and academic questions. You might conduct experiments, analyze data, contribute to ongoing projects, review academic literature, or present your findings through posters, papers, or presentations with guidance from mentors and instructors. Over time, these experiences can help you strengthen critical thinking skills, explore future academic interests, and prepare for college-level coursework and research environments.
To help with your search, below is a list of 12 research programs for high school students in Minnesota.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost | Stipend: Free | Hourly wages offered
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+ years old) who are U.S. citizens
The Lillehei Heart Institute Summer Research Scholars Program gives students the opportunity to work on cardiovascular research projects under the guidance of University of Minnesota faculty mentors. Participants are placed in research laboratories where they assist with basic or clinical research while learning laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication skills. The program also includes seminars and activities introducing students to academic medicine, biomedical research, and healthcare careers. Students gain exposure to university-level research environments while working closely with researchers and medical professionals.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Full financial aid available
Dates: Vary by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring | Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3
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. 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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost | Stipend: Free | Stipend provided
Dates: Summer internship followed by academic-year service learning
Application Deadline: Fall (through partner schools)
Eligibility: Students (aged 16+) who participated in the M-ASCEND Scholars Program
Hosted by the Masonic Cancer Center, this internship is designed for students passionate about oncology and clinical research. You will work on an individual research project with direct guidance from university faculty and staff. Notable features include presenting your findings at the University of Minnesota Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium and attending workshops on college prep. The program provides a rare long-term commitment, continuing into the academic year to foster a deep connection with the scientific community. This is one of the most comprehensive research-to-service pipelines for high schoolers in the state.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) | Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders | A few tracks require prerequisites
Horizon Academic offers a structured research environment that bridges the gap between high school and undergraduate-level work. You will choose between quantitative and qualitative research tracks in subjects such as machine learning, political theory, or neuroscience. Working 1-on-1 with a professor or PhD mentor, you will learn to navigate professional datasets and academic databases to produce a 20-page research paper. You will receive detailed feedback cycles and a formal recommendation letter to assist with future university applications. This virtual program allows Minnesota students to access specialized mentorship from professors at institutions such as Harvard and MIT.
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost | Stipend: Free | $400 stipend plus meals and travel covered
Dates: July 20 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Grades 9–11, specifically for students who have faced barriers to STEM access
The Go4Brains Summer Program gives high school students the opportunity to participate in neuroscience and brain-related research at the University of Minnesota. You will learn to use advanced diagnostic tools, including an EEG scan of your own brain and virtual reality for anatomical study. The program involves touring university research labs and conducting original neuroscience experiments under the guidance of faculty and graduate students. Notable features include the opportunity to examine a real human brain and a collaborative poster session where you present your team's findings. This program is unique for its financial support and its focus on fostering diversity within the Minnesota scientific community.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost | Stipend: Free | Stipend provided
Dates: Approximately six weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Typically early Spring
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Minnesota
This program offers a deep dive into the engineering principles that drive medical innovation. You will learn to conduct research under the guidance of a BME graduate student, gaining familiarity with professional laboratory protocols. Notable features include a tour of the Visible Heart Lab and an end-of-summer poster session where you present your technical work to family and faculty. The internship emphasizes the development of scientific communication skills, enabling you to explain complex engineering concepts to diverse audiences. This is a good opportunity for students looking to enter the medical device industry, a major economic driver in Minnesota.
Location: North Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free | Apprentices are paid (starting wage is $16/hour)
Dates: Summer training (June–August) followed by year-round work
Application Deadline: Typically in Spring
Eligibility: Minneapolis youth ages 14–21 | Must complete Visual Art Literacy Training (VALT) first
JXTA offers a unique "research-through-design" model where you work with professional artists on real client projects. You will learn foundational skills in visual thinking and drawing before moving into specialized tracks like environmental design or graphic design. The program treats your creative output as professional labor, emphasizing workflows, deadlines, and client communication. You leave with the knowledge of creating a professional-level portfolio while receiving competitive wages for your creative research. This is an ideal path for students who want to explore the intersection of urban design, community research, and the visual arts.
Location: University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
Cost: Free (Includes $1,000 scholarship opportunity)
Dates: May 14 (One-day event)
Application Deadline: March 27 (Registration) | April 3 (Paper submission)
Eligibility: Minnesota high school students in grades 9–12
The Minnesota Youth Institute focuses on the global challenges of food security and agricultural policy. You will learn to conduct independent research on a specific food issue in a country of your choice, proposing innovative solutions in a formal research paper. During the event, you present your ideas to a panel of experts and engage in small-group discussions with professors and industry leaders. Through this program, you may be eligible for the Global Youth Institute and competitive internships, such as the Borlaug-Ruan program. This program is an excellent fit for students interested in the economics of agriculture, global health, and international development.
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis,
Cost: Free
Dates: August 3 – August 7| August 10 – August 14
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11 or 12
Discover STEM is a week-long summer program at the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering, where students explore STEM fields through laboratory tours, experiments, demonstrations, and presentations led by faculty, researchers, and industry professionals. Each session features a different schedule designed to introduce participants to research areas and academic pathways within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students also engage with undergraduate and graduate researchers as they learn how STEM concepts are applied in university and industry settings. The program is designed for students interested in gaining exposure to STEM research and college-level learning environments.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21 – June 25
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school sophomores and juniors at a Minnesota high school, Charter school, or home-based school with a minimum GPA of 2.5
Mayo Clinic’s Career Immersion Program is a week-long healthcare exploration program where students learn about allied health careers through hands-on sessions, workshops, and demonstrations led by Mayo Clinic professionals. Participants explore fields such as histology, respiratory therapy, radiography, sonography, MRI, emergency medicine, and nuclear medicine, while gaining exposure to the educational pathways for these careers. The program also includes small-group activities, networking opportunities, and tours of Mayo Clinic facilities that help students understand how different healthcare roles function within a large medical system. For students in Minnesota interested in medicine or health sciences, the program offers an introduction to a range of clinical and diagnostic careers beyond the traditional physician pathway.
Location: University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
Cost | Stipend: All students receive a stipend for successfully completing the workshop
Dates: June 22–26 (MPR NEWS Radio Camp) | July 6–23 (Multimedia Storytelling Institute) | August 10–13 (College Essay Workshop)
Application Deadline: April 17 (Priority) | April 30 (Radio Camp Priority Deadline) | Rolling deadline is May 31 until program is full
Eligibility: All high school students
For students interested in the intersection of data and storytelling, ThreeSixty Journalism offers a professional-grade media experience. You will learn the technical skills of interviewing, news writing, and media production using professional-grade cameras and microphones. The program pairs you with real-world journalists who guide you through the process of creating impactful multimedia stories. Opportunities include producing a TV package or podcast series and having your work published in professional outlets. This program focuses on developing the communication and investigative skills essential to research-intensive careers in journalism and public policy.
Location: Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
Cost: $598 (before April 30) | $698 (after April 30) | Need-based scholarships available
Dates: July 13–17
Application Deadline: End of May
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
Focusing on the technical art of observation, this camp teaches you to utilize advanced research-grade microscopes. You will learn the principles of light and electron microscopy, as well as the specialized field of photomicrography. The curriculum involves conducting experiments with scanning electron microscopes to capture and edit high-resolution scientific images. Notable features include the use of microanalysis techniques to identify tiny organisms and a final presentation of your scientific imagery. This is a highly specialized program for students interested in biology, materials science, or forensics.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.