12 Research Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania
- Stephen Turban
- 9 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re interested in exploring a subject beyond your regular classes, research programs can help you engage more deeply with academic and scientific work. These opportunities introduce you to fields such as biomedical science, engineering, physics, public health, and data analysis while helping you build skills in critical thinking, research, and communication. They also provide exposure to how research is conducted in universities, hospitals, and professional laboratory settings.
In Pennsylvania, research programs are offered by universities, medical institutes, hospitals, and scientific organizations across cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Bethlehem. These opportunities include laboratory internships, mentored research projects, summer academies, and subject-specific immersion programs that vary in length, structure, and academic focus.
Why should I do a research program in high school?
Research programs allow you to investigate questions in greater depth while learning how researchers approach complex scientific and academic problems. You might conduct experiments, analyze datasets, review the scientific literature, contribute to ongoing projects, or present your findings in reports, posters, or presentations, with guidance from mentors and faculty. Over time, these experiences can help you strengthen analytical and communication skills, explore possible academic interests, and prepare for college-level coursework and research environments.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 12 research programs for high school students in Pennsylvania.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: $1800 (if household qualifies for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program for Pennsylvania)
Dates: June 15–July 24
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: High school students currently in their sophomore or junior year and 16 years old by the program start date; Permanent/primary residence in the local southwest Pennsylvania region
Magee-Womens Research Institute’s summer internship gives you the chance to take part in biomedical research centered on women’s health, infant health, reproductive biology, and related clinical questions. Over six weeks, you’ll join a lab and work on a defined project under the supervision of faculty and research staff. Depending on your placement, your work may involve basic, translational, or clinical research methods, as well as data collection and interpretation. This medical research program for high school students in Pennsylvania also includes weekly discussions where scientists share their academic paths and perspectives on biomedical careers. The experience culminates in a formal presentation where you share your findings with interns, faculty, staff, and guests.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can find more details about the application here
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a remote research experience that helps you develop an independent project in a field that matches your academic interests. After choosing a broad subject area, you work with a PhD mentor to refine a research question, review scholarship, and build a clear direction for your study. Weekly mentorship sessions focus on critical reading, source evaluation, research design, and the structure of evidence-based arguments. As the program progresses, you learn how to synthesize complex information and shape it into a focused academic investigation. One of the program's strengths is its flexibility, as projects can span STEM, social science, and humanities disciplines. By the end, you will have completed a polished research paper that reflects sustained inquiry and strong analytical writing.
Location: Wistar Institute, University City District, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students
Dates: July 6–30
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and have completed at least one high school science course (Priority is given to students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia)
The Wistar Institute’s High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research introduces you to the foundations of lab-based biomedical science through an intensive summer experience. Over four weeks, you’ll train in Wistar’s advanced teaching lab while building familiarity with techniques commonly used in cancer and infectious disease research. In addition to hands-on lab work, you’ll learn how to read scientific papers, analyze results, and understand how laboratory discoveries connect to medical progress. The program also includes conversations about research careers and the broader role of biomedical science. At the end of the fellowship, you will present your work to peers and Wistar scientists.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
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- or 11th-graders! (A few tracks require prerequisites)
This online research program for high school students in Pennsylvania is designed for those who want to study a focused topic in depth while producing a substantial academic paper. After selecting a subject track, you work with a professor or PhD-level scholar who guides you through narrowing your topic and shaping a meaningful research question. The early stages of the program emphasize source selection, conceptual framing, and selecting a methodology that fits your project. As your work develops, you learn how to organize evidence, strengthen analysis, and structure a coherent academic argument. Regular mentor feedback is built into the process, so revision plays an important role throughout the program. By the conclusion of the experience, you complete a university-style research paper grounded in sustained inquiry. Apply here.
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 18-24 students per cohort
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Philadelphia area, with work authorization in the U.S.
This research program for high school students in Pennsylvania is a highly selective, paid summer experience based at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Over this seven-week experience, you’ll work full-time with a scientist on a research project in areas such as neuroscience, sensory biology, or related biomedical fields. Your work may involve designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting scientific results. Alongside lab research, you’ll attend enrichment sessions on topics like research ethics, scientific communication, and career pathways in science and medicine. The program also creates opportunities to interact with researchers from different disciplines and institutions. It concludes with a symposium where you present your findings to scientists, peers, and guests.
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Two-summer program
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (16+) from a public or charter school in the City of Philadelphia who have faced barriers to participating in STEM-M opportunities
CHOP-RISES is a multi-year research internship designed for Philadelphia students interested in science, medicine, and healthcare careers. In your first summer, you’ll spend six weeks in a structured program that combines lab experience with workshops on scientific skills and career exploration. If you continue into the second summer, the experience expands into a longer, more independent research placement where you’ll develop your own project. You’ll also take on mentorship roles, supporting newer participants while building leadership and communication skills. Throughout the program, you will work alongside professionals at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and gain exposure to a range of STEM-M careers. The experience culminates in a formal presentation of your research work.
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Center
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 16 students
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 10 | Session 2: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area high schoolers who are at least 14 years old before the start of the program (residents of New Jersey and Delaware can also apply)
Fox Chase’s Teen Research Internship Program introduces you to biomedical research through a structured, multi-phase experience. You’ll begin by exploring career paths in cancer research and healthcare, then conduct hands-on experimentation to design and test your own research question. As you collect and analyze data, you’ll also learn how to troubleshoot experiments and apply scientific reasoning. There will be mentorship from faculty and researchers that supports both your technical development and understanding of the research process. The research program for high school students in Pennsylvania concludes with a recorded presentation and a written summary of your work.
Location: Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Up to 20 students
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
This week-long immersion at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia introduces you to the fundamentals of clinical research and pediatric healthcare. You’ll work with healthcare professionals to understand how studies are designed, how data is collected, and how research informs medical practice. Throughout the program, you’ll explore current topics in clinical research while developing your own research idea. The sessions combine instruction, discussion, and collaborative work to build your understanding of scientific thinking. You’ll also gain insight into hospital operations and the role of research in patient care. You’ll conclude the experience with a final presentation where you share your proposed research project.
Location: University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PACost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10-12 weeks in the summer, may be extended in the school year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ and undergraduate students; must have a strong interest in science, medicine, or health research
This research program for high school students in Pennsylvania allows you to engage with biomedical and health sciences research in a university setting. You’ll work under the guidance of a faculty mentor, gaining exposure to either laboratory-based or clinical research depending on your interests. The program helps you build foundational skills in experimental design, data interpretation, and the scientific process. As you progress, you’ll also develop the ability to communicate research findings through presentations or reports. The structure is flexible, allowing your experience to align with your academic goals while providing a strong introduction to research across fields like medicine, public health, pharmacy, and nursing.
Location: Lehigh University campus, Bethlehem, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: dd
Dates: Session 1: June 28–July 11 | Session 2: July 12–25
Application Deadline: Students must be nominated by their school district
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Lehigh University’s Summer Engineering Institute introduces you to multiple branches of engineering through hands-on, team-based projects. You will collaborate with peers to solve real-world problems across robotics, nanoscience, bioengineering, and environmental remediation. The program is lab-focused, giving you access to advanced equipment and exposure to practical engineering methods. The faculty, as well as current engineering students, will guide your work, helping you understand both technical concepts and their applications. You’ll also take part in discussions and virtual visits to companies and research centers, offering a broader view of the field.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050; Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students; Prior physics coursework is encouraged but not required
Penn’s Experimental Physics Research Academy gives you a rigorous introduction to major areas of modern physics through lectures, discussions, and hands-on lab work. Over three weeks, you’ll move through topics such as mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics while building a stronger understanding of how physical systems behave. The lab sessions let you apply these concepts through experiments involving motion, circuits, optics, and other core topics. The program also goes beyond formulas, with class time devoted to experimental design, scientific ethics, and the broader philosophy of science. There will be faculty-led research talks introducing you to specialized subjects such as quantum optics, nuclear physics, and relativity.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050; Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students; Must have completed at least one year of high school biology; High school chemistry is strongly recommended
The Biomedical Research Academy at Penn introduces you to the experimental side of modern biology, with a strong emphasis on disease-related research. Across lectures, journal discussions, and lab sessions, you’ll explore cellular, molecular, and genetic concepts that shape biomedical discovery. There will be morning classes and guest talks that introduce you to topics such as genome sequencing, CRISPR, vaccine development, antibiotic resistance, and bioethics. In journal club, you’ll work in small groups to read and critique peer-reviewed research, building skills in scientific interpretation and discussion. The lab component includes both wet-lab and computational work, so you may carry out molecular biology experiments while also using Python to analyze biological data.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.